A Critical Appraisal of the Tragedies of Military Coups and Political Instability in Guinea (1984-2021)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12700/jceeas.2026.6.1.449Keywords:
Authoritarianism; Democracy; Guinea; Insecurity; Military Coups.Abstract
The main objective of this article is to analyze Guinean political instability and coups from 1984 to 2021, following the death of the country’s first president, Touré, in 1984. After Touré's death, Guinea’s political landscape has been shaped by the military's significant involvement in its political, economic, and legal systems, driven by major divisions among its key ethnic groups along cultural and regional lines. This is a qualitative study using narrative and historical methods, based on documentary evidence, journal articles, and books. This article contends that, from 1984 to 2021, coups and instability in Guinea have weakened the country's institutional political culture, undermined the constitution, and led to socioeconomic hardships and social polarization. Guinea has failed to enact meaningful change, as successive military juntas since 1984 have often justified their actions by blaming political corruption and insecurity on their predecessors. The findings show that Guinean society is currently in a transitional phase, making it essential to develop a constructive, participatory democracy and accountable institutions. Investing in infrastructure accessible to everyone is crucial for the country's political stability and growth.
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