Guinea-Bissau coup: What happened, why it matters, and how it connects to Africa's political instability

When the Guinea-Bissau coup, a military seizure of power in the West African nation of Guinea-Bissau. Also known as a military takeover, it’s not an isolated event—it’s part of a larger trend reshaping governance across the region. In 2022 and again in 2024, armed forces in Guinea-Bissau removed elected leaders, citing corruption and mismanagement. These aren’t random power grabs. They’re symptoms of deeper problems: weak institutions, economic stagnation, and a long history of interference from foreign actors. Unlike coups in places like Mali or Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau’s instability has been ongoing for decades, making it one of Africa’s most fragile states.

The West Africa politics, the complex web of governance, military influence, and regional alliances across the region. Also known as Sahel politics, it’s become a flashpoint for global concern. Every time a coup happens in Guinea-Bissau, it sends shockwaves through ECOWAS—the regional bloc that’s supposed to protect democracy. But ECOWAS has struggled to respond consistently. Some members have sanctioned the military; others have quietly negotiated with them. Meanwhile, foreign powers like Russia and France are competing for influence behind the scenes. The military takeover, the process by which armed forces remove civilian leadership and assume control of government. Also known as coup d'état, it’s no longer just a local issue—it’s a test of whether international norms still hold weight. In Guinea-Bissau, the military doesn’t just want power. They want control over the country’s drug trafficking routes, which funnel cocaine from South America to Europe. That makes this more than a political crisis—it’s a security crisis with global implications.

And it’s not just about who’s in charge. The African instability, the recurring pattern of political violence, weak rule of law, and economic decline affecting many African nations. Also known as state fragility, it’s worsening as youth unemployment climbs and public trust in democracy falls. In Guinea-Bissau, most people under 30 have never lived under stable civilian rule. They see coups not as tragedies, but as the only way to shake up a broken system. That’s why protests are rare. People aren’t rallying for democracy—they’re just trying to survive. And while the world watches the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the quiet collapse of Guinea-Bissau continues. The political crisis, a breakdown in governance that leads to public unrest, institutional failure, or loss of legitimacy. Also known as state collapse, it’s what happens when leaders stop serving the people. What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories from the ground: how the coup affected daily life, who benefited, who lost everything, and why this small country keeps making headlines far beyond its borders.