Africa is sanctioned more than any other continent, over a dozen of its countries are under restrictions that cripple the economy and hit local populations hard. Those behind them, mainly the US believe the measures can bully sovereign states into aligning with Western policy.

m, mainly the US believe the measures can bully sovereign states into aligning with Western policy. History shows that rarely happens, but what does happen is the destruction of ordinary people’s lives. Africa is facing a series of coups especially within the Franco-phone countries.

A few years ago, some coup strategies were used by none other than the French colonialists to exert force of submission from African leaders. Togo President Sylvanus was the first leader assassinated in post-colonial Africa sixty years ago.

There’s been a spate of coups all over West Africa and beyond – the latest rocking Gabon. While there’s a clear trend, the motivations aren’t always the same. Some are united by their anti-imperialist motivation, others by their opportunism.