Why coups?

It is sad that the AU and other regional bodies do not seem to address the underlining causes of coups, rather, they find it expedient to raise their voices only when the hot water explodes into their faces.
When we elect civilian governments, we do so with the expressed knowledge and intention that these civilian governments will rule according to the dictates of applicable laws, respect for human rights, embrace all clans/tribes and work toward the upliftment of their citizenry.
What we see however is the continued looting, endemic corruption, wantom disregard to the rights of people and the turning of state institutions into fiefdoms to suppress the citizenry. Courts do not dispense justice by the books, rather, they have become bed fellows of the executive with legislative bodies fast asleep or in most cases, part of the looting of state coffers.
These are reasons why coups are made, but do our civilian governments ever learn from the past? No, and the reason is that they have realized that nobody has the stomach for coups or coups are no longer fashionable anymore especially in the 21st Century.
That assumption however gives them a false sense of security that empowers them to wreck economic and social havocs against the citizenry.
If we see the resurgence of coups in West Africa, it is because our political leaders are drunk in power, have lost focus the moment they assume power, and do not understand the tenets of democracy.
Just hear some presidents in africa saying that corruption started from the days of Adam and Eve, and that it is all a perception and not a reality when the people are seeing otherwise.
Until our political leaders learn the actual meaning of governance, coups will always be welcomed in West Africa with flowers and fanfare.
These regional bodies must set up governing oversight bodies within their organizations to police how politicians are running the affairs of government, and must be bold enough to bring out their shortcomings to the fore, other wise, we will continue on the slippery slope that we are currently on.
Soldiers will always see opportunities to test their itchy fingers when politicians fail to govern. Democracy is not an abstract doctrine, but one with meaning which unfortunately our politicians are yet to grasp.