The Role of the Military in African Politics: The Case of Ethiopia and Nigeria 1970s-1990s A History; Comparative Analysis

Military in African politics had a long history. It was the military that had dominated the politics of pre-colonial Africa and influenced the continents history at different times. Following the 1966 military coup in Nigeria, Ethiopia also experienced interventions of military in its history in the 1974 at large. It was a surprise that the army in Ethiopia had controlled the political power in 1974. Because, all sections of the country had stood against the old administrative regime, Emperor Haile Sellassie from 1960s onwards. Similarly, Nigerias history was dominated by military rule throughout the mid of 1960s and the entire 1970s. The role of the military in African Politics, most importantly in both Ethiopia and Nigeria was only to dominate power than fulfilling what people wished to enjoy peace and political stability in the period.