A reported coup attempt in the Benin Republic on Sunday has added to the growing list of military takeovers across Africa in recent years, contributing to a wave of political instability that has gripped the continent.

While soldiers claimed to have removed President Patrice Talon from office, his administration insisted that he remained secure and that loyal forces were working to restore order.

This latest event follows a troubling trend of military coups in the region, many of which have seen prolonged periods of military rule.

Here is an updated overview of confirmed coups across Africa in the last five years:

Mali

In August 2020, a group of five army colonels ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, marking the beginning of Mali’s descent into prolonged military governance. In May 2021, the military once again intervened, ousting civilian transitional leaders, with Colonel Assimi Goita playing a central role in both coups. Goita assumed the role of transitional president and initially promised elections for February 2024.

However, the election timetable was later cancelled, citing ongoing jihadist attacks. By July 2025, Goita endorsed legislation granting himself a renewable five-year presidential term without an electoral process, despite mounting pressure from jihadist groups and a blockade on fuel supplies.

Guinea

On September 5, 2021, Guinea’s military under Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya ousted President Alpha Condé, taking control of the government. Doumbouya later entered the presidential race in the December 28, 2025, elections, fulfilling his promise to transition back to civilian rule. His candidacy marked a shift towards formal elections after his military coup.

Sudan

Sudan’s fragile transition from the rule of former President Omar al-Bashir ended in another coup on October 25, 2021, when army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan removed civilian leaders from power. This led to civil war in April 2023 between Burhan’s forces and the Rapid Support Forces, led by his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The conflict has resulted in widespread casualties and is one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso witnessed two coups in 2022. The first, in January, saw soldiers aligned with Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba oust President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. In September 2022, another group of soldiers led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré deposed Damiba, with Traoré emerging as the new transitional leader. He later secured approval in May 2024 to remain in power for another five years, despite continuing extremist insurgencies and a lack of electoral clarity.

Niger

On July 26, 2023, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, elected democratically in 2021, was overthrown by members of his presidential guard. General Abdourahamane Tiani, the commander of the guard, assumed control of the state. In March 2025, the ruling military council announced a five-year extension of the transition period, citing persistent security threats from jihadist groups.

Gabon

On August 30, 2023, Gabon’s long-standing Bongo dynasty came to an abrupt end when military officers annulled President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s disputed re-election victory. General Brice Oligui Nguema was installed as the transitional president. By April 2025, Nguema was elected president under a newly approved constitution, winning 94.85 percent of the vote.

Madagascar

In October 2025, weeks of youth-led demonstrations, largely driven by Gen Z activists, culminated in the military’s removal of President Andry Rajoelina. Colonel Michael Randrianirina took over the presidency, pledging to organize national elections within 18 to 24 months.

Guinea-Bissau

In November 2025, Guinea-Bissau’s military announced it had taken full control of the country, sealing borders and halting the electoral process just three days after general elections. A newly formed command structure made up of representatives from all military branches declared that it would govern the country indefinitely, pending further announcements.