US-Trained Officers Stage West African Coups

Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, highlights a concerning trend: a significant number of coup leaders in West Africa have received training from the U.S. military.

Damiba himself participated in at least six U.S. training exercises, including Flintlock and State Department-funded programs. Since 2008, U.S.-trained officers have attempted nine coups, succeeding in eight, across five West African nations, despite over $1 billion in U.S. security assistance aimed at promoting stability.

Notable examples include coups in Guinea (Col. Mamady Doumbouya, 2021) and Mali (Col.

Assimi Goïta, 2020 and 2021), both led by U.S.-trained personnel. While U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) asserts its training fosters professional militaries committed to civilian control and human rights, the recurring coups contradict these stated goals.

Studies offer mixed conclusions, with some indicating a robust relationship between U.S. military training and coup attempts, raising questions about the long-term efficacy and unintended consequences of U.S. security cooperation in the region. This pattern suggests that tactical training may inadvertently contribute to political instability rather than fostering democratic governance.