Douala: Before the conclusion of 2025, the West African region drew significant attention as Cameroonians cast their votes on October 12 in an election many anticipated would unseat the 92-year-old incumbent, Paul Biya. The election results, announced on October 27, declared Biya the victor, prompting violent protests primarily in Douala and the northern regions, where his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma, has significant support. In the wake of the announcement, Biya made strategic changes within the military, likely due to concerns over a potential coup, a frequent occurrence in West African countries. According to Cameroon News Agency, although Biya claimed victory, Issa Tchiroma, his opponent and former minister, also declared himself the winner. Tchiroma had unexpectedly resigned from Biya's administration in June 2025. Despite the coup fears in Cameroon, such an event did not materialize. However, the political climate remained tense, particularly in light of a coup in Madagascar that ousted Andry Rajoel ina in September, just before Cameroon's elections. In Nigeria, Africa's most populous democracy, President Bola Tinubu replaced senior military officials following rumors of a coup attempt in late October. On November 26, a coup in Guinea-Bissau saw senior military officers overthrow President Umaro Sissoco Embalo just hours before the presidential election results were to be announced. The electoral commission reported that it could not declare or certify results due to the military's destruction of ballot papers. President Embalo fled to Senegal, while the military retained control. Meanwhile, soldiers in Benin briefly took over power from President Patrice Talon, only for pro-Talon forces to reclaim control and arrest the coup plotters. ECOWAS forces were quickly deployed to Benin, playing a crucial role in maintaining the country's democracy. In Guinea-Conakry, General Mamady Doumbouya was declared the winner of the presidential election on December 31, following elections held on December 28. Similar to Biya, Doumbouya had restricted opposition figures from the ballot. Guinea-Conakry's electoral commission announced Doumbouya's victory with over 86% of the vote, while his nearest rival secured just 6.59%. Franklin Sone Bayen, a well-known Cameroonian journalist, highlighted the paradox of West Africa being both a region with functional democracies and frequent coups. He noted that, of the 16 West African countries, only Senegal and Cape Verde have never experienced military coups. The factors leading to these coups vary across countries, but they collectively signify a decline in trust in democratic institutions and principles. In Burkina Faso, the military leader Ibrahim Traore is seen as charismatic by many young Africans, though his ties with China and Russia unsettle Western entities. While Russia supports military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, questions remain about why these countries turned to Russia initially. The West's longstanding presence in these nations has soured, prompting a p ivot towards Russia and China. The geopolitical landscape continues to shift, with Western influence declining and a new generation of Africans seeking partnerships beyond traditional Western allies. This necessitates a reevaluation of how the West engages with African states. For democracy to thrive, Africans must reclaim accountability and restore trust in institutions, while Western entities need to rethink their engagement strategies, focusing on long-term institution-building and treating Africa as an equal partner.
