Rethinking civil-military relations in Africa: Beyond the coup d’état

In Africa, the historical and contemporary dynamics of civil-military relations are deeply intertwined with the continent’s political evolution. The traditional narrative of coups, often seen as military interventions in politics, has dominated the discourse. However, this perspective is increasingly seen as reductionist, failing to capture the socio-political complexities unique to African governance. Influential works, such as Samuel P. Huntington’s ”The Soldier and the State,” have historically framed coups as military dominance over political affairs, but this overlooks broader dynamics. The book ”Rethinking Civil-Military Relations in Africa: Beyond the Coup d’état” challenges these conventional views, arguing for a more nuanced understanding that considers the socio-political factors influencing military involvement in governance. The editors and contributors highlight the need to reassess military and political authority in Africa, moving beyond binary narratives of military versus civilian rule, which are prevalent in Western-centric approaches.

The book presents a critical analysis of civil-military interactions, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding these relationships. By examining recent political upheavals in countries like Mali, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, the authors illustrate a shift from overt military dominance to more subtle patterns of military involvement in politics. They propose a model that emphasizes regime proximity and social embeddedness, suggesting that African militaries often serve dual roles as protectors of the state and facilitators of social dynamics. This approach highlights the necessity for a fresh theoretical lens to understand civil-military engagements, considering historical legacies, socio-economic factors, institutional structures, and cultural contexts that shape these interactions.