Former Senator for Kaduna Central and prominent human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has stated that the current wave of military regimes in four West African countries—Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea—will eventually come to an end.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, September 25, 2025, Sani emphasized that military rule is not sustainable and that a transition to civilian government is inevitable.
He explained that although the current military leaders may attempt to maintain power, they will ultimately be compelled to conduct elections. However, Sani expressed skepticism about the nature of such transitions, suggesting that these leaders might manipulate the process by declaring themselves winners and ruling through parliaments they control.
According to Sani, this would mark a shift from overt military control to a more disguised form of authoritarianism under the banner of democracy—essentially a return to the same political problems that justified the coups in the first place.
Sani criticized this cycle, noting that despite promises to rescue the people from corrupt politicians, the military rulers may end up replicating the same failures under a different label.
Here’s what Shehu Sani posted on his official X account:
“The four military regimes in West Africa—Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea—cannot continue to be under military rule forever. At some point, they have to transit to civil rule. The heads of the junta would have to organise elections, declare themselves winners and rule with a parliament. It would then be politics and politics, and return to square one.”
Sani’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about democratic backsliding and the cyclical nature of governance in parts of West Africa. See, More, Here>>>>
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