Erick Sourna Loumtouang

Laureate of the 2025 Atlas Programme
Erick Sourna

Erick Sourna Loumtouang is a Research Master in History at the National Center for Education, a research organization in social sciences under the supervision of the Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation (Cameroon). His work focuses on African historiography, the political history of Cameroon, and issues related to borders and security on the African continent.

The project

Title: Comment un coup d’État manqué peut-il structurer la trajectoire de l’État ? Le 6 avril 1984 au Cameroun et ses implications

"This project addresses the failed coup d'état of April 6, 1984, in Cameroon. It explores what this event can teach us about the trajectory of the state. The project makes two main contributions: First, it argues that the failed coup d'état of April 6, 1984, in Cameroon was an opportunity to legitimize power among the population, while also allowing President Biya to regain control of key institutions such as the party, the army, and state-owned companies. Second, the failed coup strengthened the authoritarian trajectory of the state by enabling the head of state to eliminate opponents on one hand and to adopt preventive measures against future coups on the other."

Hosting institution: IMAF, Aubervilliers

Selected bibliography

Published at 13 June 2025