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Why have military coups returned to West Africa?

Elected governments have been overthrown by military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Will the soldiers lead a transition back to democracy or cling on to power?

Elected governments have been overthrown by military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Each has some popular support as people grow frustrated with their political elites. But will military lead governments perform better than civilians ones in these West African countries and will the soldiers lead a transition back to elections or cling on to power?

With Charmaine Cozier.
Producer Bob Howard

(video screen grab of the military junta in Burkina Faso confirming the coup on state television RTB 24 Jan 2022. Credit: Getty images)

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23 minutes

Last on

Thu 10 Feb 202223:06GMT

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  • Thu 10 Feb 202208:06GMT
  • Thu 10 Feb 202215:06GMT
  • Thu 10 Feb 202218:06GMT
  • Thu 10 Feb 202223:06GMT

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