Coups in Mali, Chad Guinea: Is democracy at risk in West Africa , DW News

ECOWAS is getting tough with Guinea: After the military coup there, the Economic Community of West African States has imposed travel bans and financial sanctions on the country s new leaders and their families. At a summit in Ghana Ecowas leaders also demanded the unconditional release of Guinean President Alpha Condé as well as a very short transition demands are the bloc s toughest response yet to the military takeover in Guinea earlier this month. The announcement was made as coup leaders in the country wrapped up a week of consultations with various stakeholders to map out a framework for a transitional government. And it s not just Guinea. Across western and central Africa three more countries have been hit by military takeovers: Mali, Niger and Chad. First Mali, Guinea s direct neighbor: Since last August there have been two successful coups in the country: Malian Forces mutinied in August 2020 forcing 75yearold President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta to resign, after months of