Africa Center for Strategic Studies

The African Union and the Challenge of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa. By Institute for Security Studies (ISS Seminar Report). The African Union has adopted some principles to guide policy toward unconstitutional changes in government, addressing military coups in particular. Yet new reactive and preventive strategies are needed to confront emerging threats to legitimate democratic processes such as term-limit extension and the resort to unity governments by obdurate incumbents to evade electoral disputes.   PDF

BENIN’S ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY. By Mathurin Houngnikpo, 2007. Genuine democratization requires far more than a series of free and fair elections but also the establishment of many institutions and procedures such as independent and effective legislative, judicial, and investigative bodies within a state. Benin’s major democratic institutions are improving their effectiveness, but recent maneuvers demonstrate how “spoils politics” can disrupt positive democratic trends.   HTML

Why Democracy is Central to Prosperity and Peace. By Joseph Siegle. Konrad Adenauer Foundation, 2006. Good summary of the rationale for why democracies of all income levels tend to realize superior economic growth, development, and security. [PDF]

Reviewing democracy and human security in Africa. By Anne Hammerstad. Institute for Security Studies, 2004. A well-researched, well-written book about critical aspects of democratic reforms like the mechanics of voter registration systems, the distinction between inclusive and exclusive political systems, the peer-review initiatives of NEPAD, and the complex dynamics of term limit laws. [PDF]

Democracy and Security in Africa: Towards a Framework of Understanding. By Sola Akinrinade. Journal of Contemporary African Studies, 1999. Good piece that thougtfully links, democracy, security, and development in Africa.