West Africa: As Coup Follows Coup in West Africa, Could Cameroon Be Next? A survey of 36 African nations found that while most voters embrace democracy, a small majority would accept a military coup if elected leaders misuse their power. Many West African nations are facing this problem, and some question if veteran Cameroonian leader Paul Biya will, too.
The Afrobarometer poll of 36 African countries indicated that 66% want democracy and 67% oppose military rule.
However, 53% would favor a military coup if elected authorities misused power.
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon have seen popular military coups.
According to Tim Zajontz, a lecturer in international relations at Dresden University of Technology in Germany and researcher at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for International and Comparative Politics, most of these coups are occurring in French-speaking African nations, suggesting that French colonial influence and neo-colonial policies have made democratic change harder to achieve.
“In West and Central Africa we have seen similar developments and a domino effect where segments of the armed forces turned against the civilian leadership, in some cases with significant popular backing,” Zajontz told RFI.
“This domino effect was likely caused by Russian influence.
“The French government’s neo-colonial entanglements since these countries’ formal independence have certainly contributed to the weak consolidation and legitimacy of democratic state institutions in this part of Africa.” The seeming support for coups doesn’t mean people distrust democracy.
“The coups and the related crisis of democracy in the region is a long-term result of colonialism and Africa’s continuous disadvantageous integration into the global economy,” notes Zajontz. Unconstitutional government changes demonstrate that democratic administration remains an “elusive idea.”
This is especially true when state institutions can not deliver fundamental services and public goods.
According to Cameroonian political science professor Immanuel Tatah Mentan, years of foreign involvement have eroded patience.
He told RFI, “The notoriety of military takeovers in francophone Africa is simply due to the rise of political consciousness.”
“The hybrid totalitarianism imposed by France using puppet regimes has stretched the people beyond tolerance,” he claimed, claiming France exploits its former African colonies.
Can you picture France milking francophone African republics for $500 billion annually? The French treasury holds these states’ foreign funds, preventing them from buying development technology, “Mentan alleged.
Armed forces divided
According to the Afrobarometer poll, 66 percent of the Cameroonian population would accept a military takeover if authorities misuse their position. The military should never take control, said 33%.
Results reflect growing unhappiness with President Paul Biya’s term. First elected in 1982, Biya survived two coups.
The Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI), a South African Catholic institution, argues Biya has maintained his position because he broke the country’s military forces into distinct branches as a precaution.
France has the gendarmerie, regular army, National Presidential Guard, and Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR).
The DHPI reported that Biya’s recent defense sector leadership changes have eliminated the danger of a military coup in Cameroon.
“Paul Biya will remain in power until a new strategy is found to depose him,” it said.
Cameroon’s political scientist Mentan says a coup is unlikely but for different reasons.
He told RFI that the military is ethnically split and obeys its leaders rather than serving a nation thus it is not patriotic.
“Cameroon’s military does not serve but torture, oppress, and extort the impoverished. He wonders how haters of the people may become their protectors.
Finally, the Cameroonian military lacks leadership training. Such individuals govern how?
“These are my reasons for opposing a Cameroon military takeover.”
