coup

Malagasy Colonel Michael Randrianirina, head of the CAPSAT military unit, reads out a statement in front of the presidential palace, where he announces the army is taking power in Antananarivo on October 14, 2025.

Madagascar's military coup is part of a wider African trend

A rapid chain of events led to the president fleeing for his life following deadly clashes with citizens. But what happened is not uncommon for Africa. Al Majalla explains why.

Sergey Eledinov 14 October 2025

A portrait of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hangs during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv on March 29, 2025.

Jack GUEZ / AFP

Netanyahu’s judicial, security, and military coup in Israel

In the past year, the prime minister has cast aside his army chief, defence minister, intelligence head, and attorney-general, while subordinating the judiciary to his office and crushing dissent

Asaad Ghanem 18 April 2025

French President Emmanuel Macron meets the people of Managala in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea on July 28, 2023.

AFP

A domino of losses: France's economy and the Gabon coup

French interests in Africa seem to be collapsing like dominoes under the guillotine of coups, causing significant losses to the French economy, which depends on Africa's natural resources.

Mohamed Sharki 04 September 2023

A man blows into a vuvuzela while waving Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso flags as supporters cheer from the stands for artists performing during a concert in support of Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP)

AFP

Eye on Niger: Who will win in a multipolar contest for Africa influence?

Until the West can prove that it can address the economic and security challenges Sahel countries face, the governance models represented by China or Russia will continue to gain more appeal.

Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy 15 August 2023

Protesters wave Nigerien and Russian flags as they gather during a rally in support of Niger's junta in Niamey on July 30, 2023.

AFP

Niger coup marks yet another French setback in the African Sahel

France is especially affected by the coup, as it has previously lost similar bases in Mali and Burkina Faso due to coups allegedly linked to Wagner activities

Mohamed Sharki 05 August 2023

Police secure the area around the Waidmannsheil hunting lodge, after suspected members and supporters of a far-right group were detained during raids across Germany, in Saaldorf, Bad Lobenstein, Germany December 8, 2022. REUTERS/Matthias Rietschel

More Arrests Expected in German Coup Plot in Coming Days, Say Authorities

German authorities expect further arrests and raids in the coming days in connection with a far-right group that prosecutors say were preparing a violent overthrow of the state to install a former…

08 December 2022

Sudan's top army general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan speaks during a press conference at the General Command of the Armed Forces in Khartoum on October 26, 2021. (Photo by Ashraf SHAZLY / AFP)

Sudan…New Crisis, Various Possibilities

Head of Sudan’s Sovereign Council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan presented in a televised speech on Tuesday a general framework of the country’s orientation during a new transitional phase. This…

Ahmed Taher 29 October 2021

A protester holding a placard expressing her opinion during a peaceful demonstration against the military coup in Myanmar and repression there. Myanmar anti-military coup protesters gathered at Trafalgar Square as dozens more are killed in the country. (Getty)

Dangerous Impasse in Myanmar

On February 1, the world woke up to find that the Tatmadaw—as Myanmar’s military is called—had launched a coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. A decade-long experiment in…

Bilahari Kausikan 16 April 2021

Protesters rally against the military coup and arrest of National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, at Parliament House on February 12, 2021 in Canberra, Australia.

Why Did It Take a Coup?

For years,ThinzarShunleiYi’s activism against the brutality of Myanmar’s military, at best, was met with tepid enthusiasm or, at worst, set her up as a target, putting her on a collision course with…

Timothy McLaughlin 20 February 2021

Popular
Editor's Pick

AFP-Al Majalla

Business & Economy

Saudi investment summit convenes at a pivotal moment for the region

25 October 2025

It will be the largest gathering since the inception of the Future Investment Initiative in 2017, with 600 speakers set to address the four-day event and an impressive lineup of attendees

Maher Chmaytelli

People walk amid the destruction in Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip on October 11, 2025, a day after a ceasefire took effect.

AFP

Politics

Gaza's partition: Palestinian peril dressed up as pragmatism

26 October 2025

Presented as post-war stabilisation, an experiment in controlled fragmentation appears to be underway, with diplomacy, security, and commerce converging to cement a new geopolitical order

Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy

Al Majalla

Politics

Japan quietly prepares itself amid China's rise

23 October 2025

While the world discusses Beijing's ascendancy and the rivalry among great powers, Tokyo forges its own path—one dotted with patience, discipline, and strength

Ibrahim Hamidi

Al Majalla

Politics

Is the US going to war with Venezuela?

26 October 2025

A string of recent statements from US President Donald Trump, coupled with American naval deployments this month, makes for a compelling case. But could this just be psychological warfare?

Tarek Rashed