It was probably a lot of america/European money that kept these governments in power in the first place. Without that they have no real teeth and african nations are at the mercy of the crowd/military.
I pray that Uganda becomes the next. Imagine having a dictator Yoweri kaguta museven for 38yr now and still needs another term. Uganda is seriously bleeding
Amazing! It takes real skill for the interviewer and guest to manage to have a whole conversation about coups in Africa, without touching on the 'elephant in the room' - the decades long exploitation and robbery by France, USA, etc. in the 14 francophone countries as well as others, that has caused extreme underdevelopment and prolonged suffering and misery for the population of those resource-rich countries.
How exactly do you know that all the robbery and suffering and misery hasn't been caused systematically by other groups of infiltrators like the Wagner group or other russian entities? Why can't you imagine such a thing possible in the complex real world we live in? Do you know that half the african states were bribed, blackmailed or brute-forced into becoming pro-communist by the Soviet Union? How do you know these involvements and coercions haven't continued since then? Maybe France was just bringing good to these countries while the Soviet Union and subsequently Russia have been trying to bring them down making France and USA look bad in the process?
Lol exactly, that's why he very quickly went past structural factors like lack of education. I'm thinking "you know, there is a reason for that lack of education..."
Leave the oil in DRC alone!!!!! As long as there are still African countries paying colonial tax to Europe then there's no seriousness in their actions. Fix this first before they talk about anything Mali, Bekina Faso, e.t.c
Transition have to take place like this if the democratic system failed the people of Gabon. In America and France no one man can stay in power that long once the system is working. The army just need now to put a transitional government in place until the system is fixed.
Today, our problem is between ourselves we are never responsible. We keep on blaming France and Europe. 😮 We need to start being responsible and focus on our self and develop our countries
Europe and America own most of the bank loans African countries have... African countries can't afford to service that debt nevermind invest in themselves. There's good reason to blame the legacy of colonialism.
“Our problem is between ourselves”. That’s very correct, the next question,‘is our problems man made or natural?’ If is man made who are the men responsible, if is natural would there be a solution?
ahaha France owns countries like Gabon, Pro west planted Governments by the west in exchange for African leaders greed. if you try to erase history, u cant move forward. u have to identify the problems and get rid of them. If u forget about France and Europe they will haunt u permanently
Colonial powers simply divided up sections of Africa for themselves, without any regard to local populations, their languages, groupings cultures, etc. I have never understood why African leaders didn't all get together to make more natural divisions in the continent for what should be countries. Everyone was only after securing their own interests, just like the colonial powers. That's why I believe African countries will never stop having coups during my lifetime at least.
Its naive to think Africans would have done better for themselves. If the Europeans had done what you are suggesting, Africa would probably be a bigger mess than it is today. And in that alternate reality complainers like you would be blaming Europe for just 'walking away' rather than setting up borders for the Africans. Africa is basically prehistoric. Expecting anything other than a mess is folly. It'll improve in 1000 years.
Coz once they found out there was more to their land than just food and water. Eg., uranium diamonds gold oil rare minerals, nobody's going to just give it up for traditional ethnic borders.
Yes, there were waves of coups in almost all African countries immediately after gaining independence. I believe this was caused by those who assumed power from the colonial rulers, and the close ties between these new leaders and the former colonial powers. As a result, public opinion suggests that not much has changed. The recent wave of coups appears to be an attempt to remove the old coup leaders and their families from power. It's important to note that the people supporting these coups may not necessarily endorse military takeovers but may be driven by desperate circumstances. The ultimate solution seems to lie in a people-driven coup that aims to establish a democracy that truly reflects the way they live and their aspirations
No you don't understand, your thinking to small. This happen to whole world. your going see countries EU, Russia, and China all start to break apart this isn't just affecting Africa.
@@Madame702thank you for your feedback. I don't know how you measure the level of others' thinking. Of course, you have your own understanding, but that doesn't mean those who believe something different than yours have small thinking, LOL."
The point is the coup plotters are just as bad as the people they toppled. And few years down it is still going to be thesame tale a new set of coup plotters replacing those who took the powers today.
Extreme poverty. The deals with the West have left them in extreme poverty and so they are looking to try out anything, or anyone else for better results. The Western deal for example is one in which we stuff the pockets of a few with extreme wealth in exchange for resources, and arm them to protect our interests. Very little trickles down to the people in forms of infrastructure. The Chinese deal is superior, because it is a direct exchange of infrastructure for resources; but all of the contracts and employment is leased to Chinese workers. We in the West can top this deal by exchanging direct infrastructure for resource deals through joint contracts, where we employ some of the locals in the building projects; which results in skill-sharing and increased employment opportunities. But it will be some time before anyone trusts us again. We will need to restore our credibility, and it starts at home; by restoring credibility among our own citizens.
Isn't it quite telling how the terminology shifts depending on the location? When events unfold in Africa, it's swiftly branded as a 'coup,' often sparking international condemnation and interventions. However, when a similar upheaval occurs in a Western country like France, the narrative often changes to 'revolutionary,' framing it as an expression of democratic ideals. This contrast highlights a disparity in the way media and global powers perceive and portray political events. It raises questions about underlying biases and double standards in our world. It's essential to recognize and address these inconsistencies to foster a more equitable and unbiased global discourse.
Wow, this is a BAD take. What similar upheaval occurred in France? The military overthrew democratically elected leaders in this African country. Is the military in charge in France? Did the military declare a coup in France and overthrow Macron. No and no. Therefore the comparison from which your reasoning is based makes absolutely NO sense. Riots and general lawlessness are not the same thing as a military coup.
Are you seriously comparing 18th century France with 20-21st century Africa? There's nothing similar about what obtains in Europe and Africa. Just stop.
I dream of one day Africa can be free and united 🌍 to fight poverty with ignorance, peace and love, God bless and save the Africans, greetings from Western Sahara.
The Bongo dynasty prospered with the help and support of the same Military men . Shame on the same forces that brutalise the populates when they protest 😢😢😢
0:35 Reporter : *I wonder why Africans have coups* ? Me : *If your employer owes you 10 months worth of salary, while spending millions on vacations alone, you will stop wondering* .
UN said half of all jobs in Africa would be lost because of the covid response. How can this man sit and say that the coups are unrelated to the pandemic that all started spring 2020, and instead refer to poverty as the reason? People fell into poverty *because* of the response! I don't understand
You could consider reading up on the work he has published. I'm certain years worth of research, put into a couple dozen pages of work can help you understand, when a brief few-minutes interview obviously doesn't allow him the time to explain all the detailed findings.
African leaders have a very simple mandate. Change people’s lives for the better. But many forget about the people and enrich themselves and their families instead. I’m not a fan of coups. But if gets rid of all these dictators that are delaying Africa’s progress. I say let it play out.
Pray for Gabon, the same people that enabled and sustained Bongo's decades in power are the same people in power. I doubt if good will come out of them.
50 years no friends..message and lessons learnt.thank you khamis bongo...make noise when a superstar enters a stage not leaving 😂..kenyan way.mashaallah
The coup is only half the answer. What comes after is more important. If they manage to establish free and fair elections, introducing measures to protect the democrary and the country from counter-attacks and authocrat takeovers and deal with the problems in the country so people not get dissatisfied again.
So the question now is will the ppl have more of a voice in the decision making for the country going forward. My concern is did they trade one dictator for another?? Most African countries problems are they concentrate power into one single entity instead of spreading the power around equally or somewhat equally among other factions. Also so-called African leaders don’t like to give up power when it’s time, they still have that monarchy mindset where they stay in power till death then turn it over to their children
Exactly. Democracy is very unafrican. That's why "democracy" in Africa is more akin to monarchy (which is what Africa is used to). The same goes for how Christianity and Islam are practised in Africa compared to other parts of the world. It is all cultural interference in action.
@@hoang1730 oh I completely understand about colonization but at the same time how long will that be an legitimate excuse… at some point you have to move on from that and the African leaders have to do what’s in the best interest of their people. Most African problems are caused by Africans themselves mainly the leadership or lack there of. What’s even more bizarre is this notion that china is coming in to save them by building up the infrastructure but the problem with is most of the workers are Chinese, lol… the majority aren’t learning how to build the infrastructure themselves so not sure how that’s going to work out. African leaders of today is the biggest problem on the African continent not colonialism from 6-7 decades ago and beyond
I support Africa sovereignty and free from european and north american exploitation. Africa is a rich continent and must have their share in their own wealth!
History is important in understanding these events. The present requires identifying who is giving these war lords their rose colored glasses and what they are getting for their aid given.
Because claiming you are anything other than a democracy makes you an easy target for America, who's made a habit of justifying any war we choose by spreading 'democracy'
Family member or not. This coup has exposed weaknesses in the Bongo grip. Françafrique countries will think twice about how to conduct transparent and fair elections
I am pretty much confused what is going on there, but ultimately, I hope that any change there will bring a better future for the people. Sadly, not every change brings a better future, but let's hope it does. Countries like Namibia, Zambia, Botswana or Kenya are in a much better condition than other states, and let's hope many others in Subsaharan Africa will follow.
I believe it is seventh, not sixth military junta in Africa since 2020. Chad has also been taken over by military, despite international community hesitant to label it as a coup
Take a good look around it happening all round world. How much longer do you think Russia is going stay in one piece or China for that matter. Even India is having states rebel against the central government.
Leave the oil in DRC alone!!!!! As long as there are still African countries paying colonial tax to Europe then there's no seriousness in their actions. Fix this first before they talk about anything Mali, Bekina Faso, e.t.c
Imagine that you were a 56 year old from Gabon and that now you've realized that your life long ruler has been deposed; you would be rightfully exhilarated!
Some very poor expert . A so called ‘professor’ who is supposed to be an expert on African coups, says he doesn’t think outside influence is the cause, and it’s mostly local politics? This man has no idea of what he is talking about. First question to ask is why are almost all former French colonies ruled by dictators? Why is French speaking africa the most underdeveloped despite riches? What is Franceafrique? And why is it always a big topic during French presidential elections? Do your homework professor.
@@puraLusaA Scandinavian-style liberal democracy is the type of government I would like to see in every country in the world. But ANY change would be welcome, because I can't imagine any change making Eritrea WORSE.
It all starts good then goes downhill fast and more people are starving and sick, corruption, greed, tribalism, a sad indictment of Africa's inability to develop past dictatorships.
When most peoples or masses of Africa can't live in dignity with imported Western_style democracy, when they face extreme poverty & hunger, someone has to revolt against the system, most likely the military junta....
This Prof knows so much, careful of what he say in other to keep his job or knows nothing about the cause of coups in Africa. Because with the level of support the coupists have enjoyed only one is clear, the people have suffered for long in the hands of their civilian coup leaders who have international support against the people they supposedly led, so the coup is seen as a way out of the quagmire.
People all over the world are exposed to people with being lives than them in social media, and they believe that the government is the only reason their life is not the same.
We are witnessing revolutions led by the military but heavily supported by the population. What this means is that the leaders and pwer structures of these nations have lost all their justification to govern the people and change had to be done.
Simple , politicians are puppet of franch and they supported colonial rules of franch and they gave their resources to france but military dont wants to be the puppet...
But in this context they’re trading an unpopular democracy for military dictators… that’s like being lit on fire and instead of pouring water on yourself to douse the flames, you throw gasoline.
If these countries speak French or some other non native language. Let that sink in. The people want liberation and to prosper from the wealth of the land. Instead of having leaders who do the bidding of The West, or Europe who still prosper from the resources.
Democracy needs to clearly show it is making life better for the majority of people. Otherwise, it's really not worth more than any other form. (See Haiti.)
Technology, wealth, and trade many the quality of life better the type of government is largely irrelevant. Honestly democracy is actually a somewhat indirect ineffective form of government and democratic nations know this and therefore usually band together with each other against countries with different forms of government.
I dunno D.W.….🤔 “The COUSIN is now in Power.😐 …and the people of Gabon are celebrating.”😐 -Palki Sharma “…add to all of this is the fact that Gabon’s new leader is related to the Bongo Family. He’s a COUSIN OF ALI BONGO with supposed ties to his HALF-SISTER PASCALINE who loyally served in their father OMAR BONGO’S regime and allegedly PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF THE FAMILY.” Palki Sharma ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨😊