The new military rulers-e.g. Jean Bedel Bokassa (C.A.R.), Sangoul Lamizana (Upper Volta), Christophe Soglo (Dahomey), Aguiyi-Ironsi (Nigeria), Joseph Ankrah (Ghana), Oduwegmu Ojukwu (Biafra), David Lansana (Sierra Leone), Joseph Mobutu (Congo), Michael Micombero (Burundi), A.A. Afrifa (Ghana) – in view to assume full control and implement policies employed four strategies to gain legitimacy: 1. tapping accumulated resentment against the preceding civilian regime; 2. establishing a basis for national unity above and beyond traditional, tribal-based legitimacy; 3. coopting civil servants and politicians unblemished by association with the deposed regime into a new ruling coalition; 4. creating firm political support by means of new, nation-wide mass-based political parties. The strategies generally employed by the triumphant officers have been 1 and 3, but the only satisfactory long-term strategies for development and stability are 2 and 4. By taking the easier routes to justify and continue their control, the military rulers may not accomplish the basic alterations they feel are necessary for their countries.
