Paper short abstract:

Professionally, military intervention in civil rule is an aberration. The military is saddled with the responsibility of securing the state's territorial boundary. The deepening crisis of governance in the continent drives military intervention and subsequent acceptance by civil society.

Paper long abstract:

The recent resurgence of military rule in Africa is a signal of the worsening crisis of governance that has engendered forced migration. Rather than serving the continent as guardian of territorial boundaries, the African military, given previous experiences, has redefined its role as guardian of democracy and civil rule. This paper seeks to review the governance environments that gave rise to Africa's second phase of military rule. Using elite and structural-functional theories, the paper argues that the military as a part of the elite group in society is poised to fill the vacuum of good governance through the reformed style of civil governance. The redefinition of democratic governance through the forceful interjection of civilian derailment has gradually become a new justification for military intervention. While military interventions in recent times were orchestrated by the failure of civil rule and the accompanying crisis of governance, the acceptance of the putschists by citizens is evidence of an acceptance role of the military as an alternative gatekeeper and the guardian of the interest of the state and democratic objective of good governance. The fact that sanctions and threats of external interventions through forceful invasion could not reverse the change of government showed the wider endorsement, by citizens, of military rule as a choice for stability and good governance. The paper concludes that while military intervention is unwelcome in the continent, failing civilian administration is equally an anathema. Inclusive good governance and effective public participation will restore public confidence in civilian leadership.