The current wave of coups began in Mali in August 2020. Then in March 2021, a failed coup happened in Niger. This raised concerns that coups are contagious – and may spread to other countries – which they indeed have. In April 2021, an unusual coup was reported in Chad after the death of President Idris Derby who was killed on the battlefield and was quickly replaced by his son in a total disregard for the constitution. On the 24th May 2021, there was “a coup within a coup” again in Mali following the toppling of President Bah Ndaw who presided over the transitional government after the 2020 c…