Patterns of African Union Sanctions on Coups d'État

Civilian Control as a Political Message

Bibliographic Data

ID3387356
AuthorsTomohiro Hosoi (0000-0002-5151-1869, Gunma University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume61
Issue4
Pages3208-3224
Publication date2025-09-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Asian and African Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9096 • E-ISSN: 1745-2538
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/00219096251369523
OpenAlexW4414334780
LanguageEN
References cited25

This paper analyses the African Union's (AU) imposition and lifting of sanctions in response to coups d'état. It argues that AU decisions follow a rational logic rooted in member states' political interests and the principle of civilian control. While existing studies stress ambiguity in AU sanctions post-Arab Spring, few have examined all coup cases. Analysing incidents since 2007, this study finds that 'non-pure military coups' rarely triggered sanctions, while lifting them required civilian-led transitions or elections. It shows that, despite perceived inconsistencies, AU responses reflect a largely consistent stance against military rule and are more systematic than often assumed

African studies · Ambiguity · Control (management) · Economic sanctions · Politics · Sanctions · Economic Sanctions and International Relations · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Political Conflict and Governance

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