IMPACT OF CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS ON DEMOCRATISATION PROCESS IN MALI AND SUDAN (2015-2023) AND THE WAY FORWARD

Abstract

This study examines civil–military relations and democratisation in Mali and Sudan, with a comparative focus on the nature, causes, and implications of military involvement in politics between 2015 and 2023. The study is anchored on Civil–Military Relations Theory. Using a qualitative comparative research design, the study relies on key informant interviews and secondary data sources such as books, journal articles, policy reports, and institutional documents. The data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings reveal that civil–military relations in both countries are characterised by weak civilian control, recurring military intervention, and fragile democratic institutions. In Mali, military involvement is largely crisis-driven, emerging in response to insecurity, insurgency, and governance failure, while in Sudan, military dominance is structurally embedded within political and economic systems. The study further finds that factors such as weak governance, corruption, economic hardship, insecurity, and historical precedent of coups significantly contribute to military intervention in both countries. Additionally, military involvement has had severe consequences for democratisation, including the disruption of constitutional governance, weakening of electoral integrity, restriction of political participation, and erosion of public trust in democratic institutions. The comparative analysis shows that both countries experience weak civilian supremacy, Mali’s democratic instability is cyclical and episodic, whereas Sudan’s is continuous and institutionalised. The study concludes that sustainable democratisation in both contexts remains constrained by weak institutions and persistent military influence in politics. It recommends strengthening civilian institutions, reforming the security sector, improving governance, and enhancing regional enforcement mechanisms to prevent unconstitutional changes of government.