(a) What is Military Rule? (b) Give five reasons why people reject Military Rule in West Africa.

(a) Meaning of Military Rule

Military rule is a system of government in which the armed forces (the army, navy and air force) seize and control the machinery of government, usually through a coup d'etat, and govern the state by decrees rather than by an elected legislature and a constitution.

(b) Five reasons why people reject Military Rule in West Africa

1. It is undemocratic: Military rule denies the people the right to elect their leaders and to participate in government, since power is seized by force.
2. Rule by decree and suppression of rights: The military governs by decrees, suspends the constitution and often suppresses fundamental human rights, the press and opposition.
3. Absence of the rule of law: Under military rule there is arbitrary use of power, detention without trial and lack of accountability, which the people resent.
4. Unconstitutional seizure of power: The military comes to power illegally through coups, which are unconstitutional and often accompanied by violence and bloodshed.
5. Concentration and abuse of power: Powers are concentrated in a few military officers without checks and balances, leading to dictatorship, corruption and mismanagement.

(Other acceptable reasons: absence of free elections and opposition; frequent coups and counter-coups causing instability; harshness and highhandedness of the regime; damage to the country's international image.)