Coup d'état

A coup d'état (pronounced /ku de 'ta/), or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. It is different from a revolution, which is staged by a larger group and radically changes the political system. The term is French for "(a sudden) blow (or stroke) to a state". The term coup can also be used in a casual sense to mean a gain in advantage of one nation or entity over another; e.g. an intelligence coup. By analogy, the term is also applied to corporations, etc; e.g. a boardroom coup.

Currently-serving leaders who came to power via coups

• Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, leader of Sudan (1989–)
• Muammar al-Qaddafi, leader of Libya (1969–)
• Azali Assoumani, President of the Comoros (1999–)
• Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of Tunisia (1987–)
• François Bozizé, President of the Central African Republic (2003–)
• Blaise Compaoré, President of Burkina Faso (1987–)
• Lansana Conté, President of Guinea (1984–)
• Idriss Déby, President of Chad (1990–)
• Yahya Jammeh, President of The Gambia (1994–)
• Gérard Latortue, interim president of Haiti—not recognized by CARICOM
• Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea (1979–)
• Pervez Musharraf, leader of Pakistan (1999–)
• Alfredo Palacio, president of Ecuador (2005–)