Public commentator Mahdi Shehu has warned that many countries, particularly in Africa, are creating conditions that make military coups increasingly appealing, as their democracies fail to uphold basic standards of fairness, accountability, and transparency.

Shehu shared his views in a post on X on Wednesday night, responding to the recent military takeover in Guinea-Bissau. He emphasized that coups do not occur in a vacuum and that weak democratic institutions often pave the way for military intervention.

“Far from being unpopular, military coups—especially in developing countries and failed democracies—remain an option even if generally frowned upon,” he wrote.

Shehu outlined several key measures necessary to prevent coups, describing them as non-negotiable for democracy to survive:

1. Credible Elections: Votes must count, and electoral rules should be clear, fair, and consistently applied.
2. Transparent Governance: Public resources must be managed openly, rather than being monopolized by a few powerful individuals.
3. Independent Justice System: Laws must be applied fairly and consistently across all segments of society.
4. Open Political Processes: Candidates should emerge without intimidation, forced exits, or restrictive barriers.
5. Respect for Term Limits: Leaders must know when to step down and respect democratic transitions of power.
6. Protection of Human Rights: Opposition voices must be heard, and civil liberties safeguarded.
7. Accountability Against Criminal Influence: Democracies must prevent criminals from hijacking institutions through money, blackmail, or violence.

“Anything short of these measures allows fertile ground for military coups to become normalized and, in extreme cases, welcomed where democracy fails spectacularly,” Shehu warned.

He concluded with a cautionary note for political leaders: “Democrats, beware.”