Abstract
The study assessed the new wave of military coup d’états some Sahel African Countries and its implications for the development of these countries, the sub-region and Africa. The historical and descriptive research technique was adopted, thus drawing relevant data from secondary sources. Data generated were analysed using the qualitative method. The study adopted the theory of contagion; and proposed the following questions to guide it: first, what factors are responsible for the new wave of military coups in francophone West Africa? Second, what challenges are imposed on the sub-region by the wave of military coups and the response by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)? Third, to what extent has this scenario in West Africa ignited the scramble for Africa by the two ideological blocs of Northern Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Warsaw Pact? The study argues that the new wave of military coups in the sub-region is as a result of the failure of democratically elected governments to tackle the teething problems of poverty, insecurity and socio-economic development. Furthermore, it was revealed that socio-economic relations between these West African countries and France as well as the West have contributed to the growing tension. The study recommends among others, good democratic governance by African governments.