[Former Burkina Faso leader Thomas Sankara. He is one of African leaders who clinched power through popular resistance movements. Photo/cnn.com]
Although not a popular way of clinching powers in the contemporary world, resistance movements have however worked in various regions across the continent.
Last week, opposition leader Raila Odinga shocked the entire world when he announced changing of his NASA coalition to National Resistance Movement in his quest to remove Jubilee leadership from power.
Described as a civil group that opposes a legitimate or illegitimate government by causing civil disorder, resistance movements can be violent or non violent.
In Africa, a part from coup by juntas, resistance movements were key in acquisition of powers from European colonialists.
Some of the countries the countries that acquired powers through that system include Angola through Frelimo, Ghana, South Africa through ANC, Egypt through Abdel Nasser.
Others include Uganda through Yoweri Museveni's NRM, South Sudan's SPLM, Rwanda through Paul Kagame's Rwandese Patriotic Front.
Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and The Gambia are also some of the countries that have seen change of guard through popular uprising.