Question 61 from UPSC CSE 2023 - Internatio nal Relations

Question

In the recent years, Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Successful coups

Strategy: The strategy focuses on recurring international news concerning the specified African nations. Observations indicate no recent headlines for mineral discoveries or Chinese military bases. The most unifying and widely reported development is the series of military coups that have disrupted governments in all four countries. Southward Sahara expansion is a long-term environmental issue not unique to these states simultaneously. Therefore, selecting the most dominant and recent commonality--'successful coups'--provides the clear answer.

Key Info: Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan are African countries distinguished by recent military coups--a phenomenon that has drawn global attention and condemnation.

- Chad experienced a coup in April 2021 following the death of President Idriss Déby, with his son leading a military council.
- Guinea saw a military coup in September 2021, overthrowing President Alpha Condé.
- Mali went through two coups, first in August 2020 and then in May 2021, with the military seizing power from elected governments.
- Sudan witnessed a coup in October 2021 ousting the transitional civilian-military government established after the fall of Omar al-Bashir.

These political upheavals prompted suspensions from the African Union (AU) and concern from the international community regarding democratic backsliding. The Peace and Security Council of the AU adopted responses addressing these power transitions. While mineral wealth, environmental changes, and foreign military bases are relevant issues in Africa, recent history clearly associates these nations through successful coups, not the other factors mentioned.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Establishment of Chinese military bases

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Southward expansion of Sahara Desert