Coup d’etat is the sudden and illegal seizure of power in a state by a small group of individuals – typically within the military or political elites. It is a form of power transfer that can change the course of a country and the world. It often occurs in the context of a broader crisis and takes advantage of weakened government structures. Whether in the hands of dictators like Adolf Hitler, Muammar Gaddafi, or Idi Amin, or military factions or rebel groups, these events can have far reaching consequences for democracy and human rights.
It is important to distinguish coups d’etat from revolutions, which are larger movements by a population seeking socioeconomic change. Research suggests that coups d’etat are more common in countries that are narrowly dependent on export commodities that are subject to volatile price fluctuations. In addition, coups tend to happen when regional instability and escalating poverty rates breed frustration with even transparent governments that are perceived as incompetent or corrupt by some parts of the population [2].
These factors lead to a perception of injustice by some parts of a society and a need for new leadership that can offer people hope and better governance. Consequently, many coups are popularly supported by a portion of the population, which can undermine democracy and human rights. This is why it is important for international actors to act quickly to ensure a transition from coup d’etat to civilian and democratic rule.
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