Joanna Allan explores the roots of resistance in Western Sahara, reflecting on how oil, phosphates and the struggle against colonialism have played out in a state that is all too often overlooked in contemporary coverage of African politics.
Author Archives: Democracy in Africa
Democracy in Africa
“So called” Professor Nic Cheeseman causes Zambia controversy
A recent article by DiA’s Nic Cheeseman made front page news in Zambia, and was subsequently denounced by the Patriotic Front government. Click through for the story, and the denunciation.
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Election monitoring neither free nor fair
In this remarkable insider account of the birth of modern election monitoring, Professor Stephen Chan discusses the challenges facing election monitors and asks the big questions: why do observers often pull their punches? Has observation has outlived its usefulness? What can be done to improve it? Read his article first on Democracy in Africa …
Call for Proposals: The changing face of electoral manipulation in Africa
ECAS 2017, 29 June-1 July, Basel **Deadline 19 January 2017**
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Between citizenship and marginalisation in Angola
Vasco Martins tells us about his recent research on citizenship in Angola, which has recent been published in Citizenship Studies. Vasco is a research at the Centre for International Studies, ISCTE-IUL, in Lisbon.
Posted in african democracy, Angola
Tagged African Democracy, Citizenship, democracy in africa, Vasco Martins
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What will a Trump or Clinton presidency mean for Africa?
On the eve of the US election, Robtel Neajai Pailey reflects on what the outcome could mean for the African continent. Robtel Neajai Pailey is a Liberian academic, activist and author of the anti-corruption children’s book, Gbagba.
Posted in democracy, democracy in africa
Tagged Africa, elections, Robtel Pailey, US
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From democracy promotion to ‘politically smart’ governance reform in Africa
Rosie Pinnington provides an important critique of the ‘politically smart’ governance reform that is being adopted by increasing numbers of donors. Rosie is a DPhil researcher in Politics at the University of Oxford. Her work explores donor approaches to supporting institutional reform in Africa.
Posted in african democracy
Tagged African Democracy, democracy in africa, donor reform, Rosie Pinnington
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Democratisation and single-party dominance: The case of Namibia
Ian Cooper tells us about his recent paper, in which he argues that Namibia has democratised under single-party dominance, contrary to popular thinking on democratic consolidation. Ian is a Teaching Associate at the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS).
Posted in Namibia
Tagged African Democracy, democracy in africa, democratisation, Ian Cooper, Namibia
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Ethiopian politics beyond the vanguard?
Jason Mosley provides insight into recent unrest in Ethiopia, where the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front are at a crucial turning point. Jason is a Research Associate of the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford. He is also the Managing Editor of the Journal of Eastern African Studies and an Associate Fellow of the Africa Programme […]
Posted in Ethiopia
Tagged African Democracy, democracy in africa, EPRDF, Ethiopia, Jason Mosley
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Elections, leaders and the politics of the primaries in Kenya
Duncan Otieno reflects on the controversial party primaries in Kenya and argues that it is in the interests of party leaders to embrace the recent upsurge in independent candidates.