The Resurgence of Coups: A Global Threat to Democracy

Coups have reemerged as a prevalent method for military factions and insurgent groups to seize power and control the country. There are many incidents in which the military has seized power or attempted to overthrow the government. The Royal Thai Armed Forces, made the coup in Thailand and toppling the existing government. Similarly, the Houthi rebels in Yemen overthrew President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, illustrating the enduring potency of this method for seizing power. The world has witnessed numerous such events: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was deposed in Myanmar as the military seized control, while in Afghanistan, the Taliban's resurgence led to the collapse of the prior government. Most recently, public protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee Bangladesh, underscoring the volatile nature of political power in the region.
The list of countries experiencing coups is extensive—including Niger, Burkina Faso, Sudan, Guinea, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and more. Beyond these successful coups, there have been several attempts to destabilize governments in places like Ukraine, Montenegro, Germany, and Moldova. These coups not only threaten the democratic fabric of these nations but also plunge them into war, conflict, and widespread violence. International actors often play a significant role in these situations; however, their involvement is rarely aimed at fostering peace through negotiation. More frequently, they are motivated by a desire to expand their influence in the region, exacerbating conflicts rather than resolving them. In some cases, international powers have remained silent, allowing violence to escalate when their strategic interests are not directly involved.
The alarming frequency of coups as a method to establish governments without an electoral mandate clearly indicates the fragility of democracy in many parts of the world. This panel discussion will delve into the implications of the global resurgence of coups; the roles international actors play; and the broader consequences for freedom, democracy, human rights, stability, and peace in the affected regions.