Africa in focus: Is democracy dying in the Sahel? | DW News

Another domino of democracy falls in West Africa: The UN and regional bodies like the AU have all condemned the military takeover in Burkina Faso. ECOWAS has suspended the country from its governing bodies.
Army officers there say they detained President Roch Christian Kabore because he was failing to tackle a jihadist insurgency.
The military takeover drew popular support with hundreds of people taking to the streets of the capital to cheer on the junta.
In his first speech, Burkina Faso's new military leader Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba promised the country would return to constitutional order - someday.
While people are celebrating a military takeover in Burkina Faso, it's quite the opposite in Sudan. Three months after the last coup there, many are pushing for a return to civilian rule - even at the cost of their lives.
More than 70 protestors have died since the military seized power in October. Once again, pro-democracy protests escalated this week in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum after security forces opened fire.
Despite the danger, more and more people are taking to the streets to increase the pressure on the regime.
DW correspondent Adrian Kriesch reports from Khartoum.

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#Democracy #MilitaryCoup #Sahel

[dxelson]

I'm sorry but democracy in Africa was just another corrupt official so maybe military rule isn't that bad 😂

[eddietat]

I like how people in Africa can celebrate a coup one month, and then decry it and try to overthrow it the next month. I understand their reasons for impatience, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

[hassansalvo]

The lady hit the nail on the head... the idea of governace and political systems are falling and failing

[fibefibe]

In west Africa they was no democracy, they was papets presidents of France, so the people were tired, as simple as that.

[neilnelson]

This is not a bad thing in Africa. Sankara was a military man and came to power through a coup and the country was doing well until he was assassinated by France. This military coups are a sign that democracy isn't working in West Africa, especially with the evidence of strong foreign interference from France.

[mythoughts]

I think if we leave African countries to find their way they will be fine. It takes time to organise a state. Many of these countries are young. I think if we leave them totally alone they will find their way. It will be a challenge but I have faith. No aid, no immigration, no intervention. Just mutually beneficial trade.

[davidradford]

When has a military junta, anywhere in the world, willingly given-up the power they stole? Look at Myanmar right now- as soon as the military started losing their control, they took control back in a violent coup. Unless something changes quickly, Burkina Faso is looking at years, if not decades of military rule. One more thing, what else does a military junta inevitably do- it strips the country of whatever limited wealth it has, while making the junta leaders and their families incredibly wealthy. Just look at Equatorial Guinea. A very sad sad day indeed and B.K. should be have their membership in ECOWAS stripped until they return to democratically elected government rule. Never forget how Muammar al-Gaddafi transitioned from revolutionary leader to terroristic despot.

[guiller]

All I can say is that from whatever country you are; love your own people. They are your family, friends and neighbors.

Forget about alliances and agreements with whoever puts in danger the lives and stability of your fellow citizens.

Democracy is only good to validate the will of the majority through elections. If the majority of citizens wants something else; there's no Democracy to protect.

[HolisticHealthEducation]

Democracy is not dying in the Sahel. Democracy is dying in Africa.

[VenturesAdventure]

*Democracy isn't everything* and the only mode of administration.*
Human Rights are not linked to democracy!
_Request your attention towards the biggest democracy where _*_People in Kashmir_*_ are deprived of _*_Human Rights_*_ for the last 74 years._

[BonsuBigWhale]

Democracy could not be dying in the Sahel. It has YET to be born there.
No such thing as Democracy for a neocolony. It could not exist as long a the colonial master is still present.
6 decades of Francafrique policy have to end before those neocolonies can move forward towards their sovereign destiny.

[Kiyoone]

Imagine: You and your people are living their lives, minding their own business in Africa before the europeans.... then, the europeans came and declare it their "colonies" and impose a political system...
After the "democracy" brought by europeans, they never had so much conflicts in their territory that was originally marked by tribal lands... them europeans go away, but the system (the one that never worked for them) must stay there... Its just like India, but less populous and no caste system.

[henriqueguimaraes]

Democracy is not for África, it's sad but it's the Truth, the Generals are the ones with real power if they're not satisfied you fall.

[wolfswinkel]

When will NATO come and fight for democracy in Africa, instead of Russia? Since it's democracy they're fighting for.

[marsevenusvengitus]

The united states became a superpower two centuries after the independence from the brithish. Yes they also faced some adversity which was the world power at that time great britain and other powerful europeans countries. Bunch of farmers that came in this continent without nothing built it from the ground. Africans need to figure out. Our problem is within ourselves.

[davidradford]

RE: My last comment. In case you wonder about my love for Africa. I have travelled through 31 African countries solo by motorcycle (I include Western Sahara as a country, which it is). To travel to those countries I spent a full year in Africa and to be clear- I was not travelling as part of my job or with an NGO, I was travelling because that is what I wanted to do- to see the lands where all human life originated.

[ginamitembe]

IT'S mind boggling, WHY is this happening again when finally AFRICAN countries are uniting the whole continent???🤔🤔🤔 Something/ some people are Not happy with our trade unity and the road AFRICAN LEADERS are taking! Unity has always been a big obstacle to our progress and a threat to those who have benefited from US!!🌍🌍🌍

[zinjanthropus]

The French don't seem to recognise that they've overstayed their welcome.

[geraldshu]

Seems a majority of the people of Burkina are happy with the new government in power.

[ivainyamutsamba]

The comprehension of the term "democracy" is still a long walk to comprehension and religious application and appreciation.