Abstract

The article explores the political issues in the September 2015 military coup in Burkina Faso that was led by General Gilbert Diendere. Coming only a few weeks prior to a much-anticipated general election the coup plotters dissolved the transitional government that had been in place since the unexpected resignation of Blaise Compaore in October 2014. This article takes a retrospective view of the Burkinabe coup, and analyzes how it was precipitated by lingering political and economic crisis following President Compaore’s 27 years rule. It concludes, by way of alternative futures, that the only way to prevent coups is for African leaders to promote and strengthen democracy and pursue people-friendly socio-economic policies within the framework of good governance, accountability and transparency.