The construction and dismantling of ethnic patronage networks within African security institutions has led soldiers to rebel. The effects of constructing ethnic patronage networks are theorized in the context of African decolonization. Where leaders chose to build ethnic armies, despite existing diversity in the officer corps, they sparked coup attempts which then led to deepening political instability. The effects of dismantling these historic ethnic patronage networks are then theorized in the context of African democratization. Due to Africa's remarkable ethnic diversity, the opening of political competition entails a high likelihood that elections will bring to power leaders from different ethnic groups. These leaders have strong incentives to dismantle the ethnic armies of their predecessors. Fearing a decline in their power and privilege via military reform, existing ethnic armies may then block democratization or violently reverse the outcome of elections.