The return of the military coup to West Africa: the African Union response

Abstract

Abstract: The following research report seeks to investigate the recent occurrence of military coup d’états in the geographical sub-region of West Africa. Military coups staged in both Mauritania (August 2008) and Guinea (December 2008) represent an alarming spike in the incidence of illegal political takeovers and raise questions as to what form of response is required in order to limit, or completely eradicate, the scourge of unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) from the continent. This report suggests that the African Union (AU), in its commitment to the ideals of political legality and legitimate governance, is capable of addressing UCG in Africa through its inherent ability to induce long-term normative reformations regarding democracy and constitutionality.