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Anger with elected leaders, broken political systems, insecurity caused by insurgencies and foreign interference have all played their part in the recent coups in west Africa. However, there are no clear signs of when the military leaders will give way to civilian rule.

Oulimata Soumar茅, an analyst with the global consultancy Control Risks, says the recent upheavals are a sign of a rejection of the tradition elites and a call for more transparent and accountable leaders, but none of the recent elections have resulted in a transfer of power from the incumbents to a new political party.

"It is safe to say that young voters are very disenchanted with the current system. So I think that coups might be sort of a way for them to have that new chapter."

(Photo: Demonstrators in Ouagadougou show support to the military and hold up pictures of Colonel Aissimi Goita (L), and of Lt Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. Credit: Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images)