The reality is that the African countries under new military leaders following coups face the spectre of plunging into Libyan and Sudan-like chaos.

As the economic crises post-Covid continue to deepen, climate change continues to unleash hunger, living costs soar because of spiralling inflation induced by the impact of the Russia-Ukraine War - all combined with authoritarian, uncaring and unresponsive governments - Africa is likely to see more coups, which increasingly appear to be supported by ordinary people, especially the young.

As these deep-seated multiple crises snowball, Africa is entering a particularly violent, unstable and chaotic period which is likely to set back development for generations, break up countries and unleash mass migration across, within and between countries, and to Western countries.

Most African countries are going to be increasingly left behind - as other formerly poor developing nations such as Singapore, Saudi Arabia and South Korea catch up with industrialised countries.

The continent has now experienced its 10th either attempted or successful coup in Central and West Africa since the height of Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020.

Most recently, on 26 July 2023, military leaders ousted Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum and have been holding him, his son and wife in the basement of his presidential palace in the capital Niamey. Soon thereafter, Gabon's President Ali Bongo, who was in power for 14 years...