Coup Belt

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The Coup Belt (French: Ceinture de Coups d'État; Portuguese: Cinturão Golpista; Arabic: حزام الانقلابات) is a modern geopolitical concept and neologism which emerged during the 2020s to describe the region of West Africa, Central Africa and the Sahel that is home to countries with a high prevalence of coups d'état. Following the 2023 Nigerien coup, these countries form a continuous chain stretching between the east and west coasts of Africa. The coups have largely been similar in nature; most came from dissatisfied militaries who criticised their respective government's handling of Islamic insurgents or protests since 2003. Resentment over French military, financial and political influence over African governments has also played a role. The incoming juntas tend to have worse relations with the West, with many seeking support from Russia and the Wagner Group, Turkey, or Qatar and the Arab League instead of France, which previously helped the countries fight against Islamic insurgents through...

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