Coups in West Africa from independence to the present: The case of Mali

Since gaining independence in 1960, Mali has frequently experienced military coups, becoming a distinctive case in West Africa marked by contested forms of governance, multiple security crises, and limited democratic resilience. The primary aim of this study is to examine in depth the factors behind institutional transformations in Mali and their subsequent impacts. This thesis is structured in three chapters and employs a qualitative research methodology. The first chapter outlines the theoretical framework by emphasizing key concepts and offering an analytical approach to understanding the phenomenon of coups. The second chapter explores how military interventions in Mali have influenced national and regional security policies. Within this framework, particular attention is paid to the institutional implications of power transitions involving military actors and the resolution of internal conflicts. The third chapter provides a chronological and comparative analysis of the numerous coups that have taken place in Mali (1968, 1991, 2012, 2020, and 2021). This section examines the objectives of coup planners, national and international reactions, institutional, social, and economic repercussions, as well as the suppression of non-state armed groups—each within its own context.Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this study seeks to shed light on broader patterns of coups in West Africa while also enhancing understanding of the specific dynamics unique to Mali. Emphasizing the close relationship between political instability and insecurity, the thesis concludes with a comprehensive discussion of its key findings