Military Regimes in African Countries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Military Regimes in African Countries - Essay ExampleThe discussions will entail crystal clear arguments behind the discordant armed forces regimes that have occurred in Africa. The paper will give an analysis of the various military regimes that have taken place in Africa since independence to modern days. Introduction The focus on military regimes can be traced to the period after 1950 when most African countries gained independence. There was a gigantic increase in the number of military coups during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. During this period, a large number of military regimes emerged all oer the world. In 1979, fourteen military regimes rose to power in sub-Saharan Africa. Besides the military regimes in Sub-saharan Africa, other regimes held power in Latin America, North Africa, Arab states, South East Asia and East Asia (Falola 2002, p. 235) Because of the dire exclude of African military regimes, political scientists, historians, sociologists, and economists had a exp ress feelings interest in studying this bring in of goernment. Africa witnessed seventy-one military coups between 1950 and 1990. Since African nations gained independence, a number of military regimes have overthrown the ruling civilian regimes. The military coups replace the governing body and introduce military convening. In most instances, the military leaders, who take over governance, introduce dictatorial rules (Kieh & Agbese 2004, p. 20). Some of the famous military coups that have taken place in Africa hold the Ghanaian coup in 1966, Libyan military coup in 1969 led by Muammar Gaddafi and the Ugandan coup in 1971 led by Idi Amin. Gaddafi led a group of young Libyan military officers in a bloodless coup that saw the overthrowing of King Idris I. In Uganda, Idi Amin succeeded in ending the rule of Milton Obote. Other military coups have happened in countries such as Nigeria, Congo, Togo, among others (Baynham 1986, p. 38). Rating performance of military regimes in Africa Military coups in Africa can be explained by full general factors applicable to the full continent. A keen look at the past military coups indicates a common trend in military coups. closely all countries in Africa that have had military coups seem to have the same reasons for the eruption of the military coups. From 1960 to 1970, a number of African nations witnessed military coups. Historians have regarded this period as a decade of coups in Africa (Kieh & Agbese 2004, p. 22). erstwhile a coup erupted in one country, it became a phenomenon in other nations. Coups swept across the entire African continent at an alarming rate. Based on this, the rise of military regimes in Africa emerges from general factors applicable to the entire continent. The paper will now focus on the factors that have led to the rise of military regimes in Africa. In an attempt to preserve authority, states have embraced the use of coercion. As a result, approximately government institutions play the ro le of enhancing coercion. This reality has significantly directed debates surrounding politics in postcolonial Africa. The government needs coercive agencies, such as the police and military, which should be obedient to political leaders. However, this has not succeeded in Africa. In many instances, the military has used violent means to initiate coup detats. This is a contradiction since the military should manage violence on behalf of the state (Thomson 2010, p. 135). A notable factor creditworthy for military coups in A