Commentary
A change of rulers is the joy of fools, goes the old Romanian folk saying, and I recalled it as I saw pictures of rejoicing crowds in the street after the recent military coups in the West African countries of Niger and Gabon.
Gabonese military appear on television as they announce that they have seized power following President Ali Bongo Ondimba's re-election in Gabon, on Aug. 30, 2023. Gabon 1ere/Handout via Reuters
Theodore Dalrymple
Author
Theodore Dalrymple is a retired doctor. He is contributing editor of the City Journal of New York and the author of 30 books, including “Life at the Bottom.” His latest book is “Embargo and Other Stories.”
