The Transition to Multi-Party Politics in Lusophone Africa: Problems and Prospects

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Periodical article

Title:	The Transition to Multi-Party Politics in Lusophone Africa: Problems and Prospects
Author:	Chabal, Patrick
Year:	1994
Periodical:	Lusotopie
Pages:	57-70
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Portuguese-speaking Africa Cape Verde Angola Mozambique Guinea-Bissau São Tomé and Principe
Subjects:	democracy multiparty systems Politics and Government
External link:	http://lusotopie.sciencespobordeaux.fr/chabal96.pdf
Abstract:	This article examines the so-called transition to democracy in Africa by looking in some detail at the experience of the five lusophone African countries - Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The balance sheet of the move to multiparty politics in these countries is mixed, ranging from success in the two island States to dismal failure in Angola. The case of Guinea-Bissau is more typical of what has happened in other African countries. With little organized opposition in the country, and a failure on the part of opposition parties to coordinate their campaigns, the victory of the ruling PAIGC in the 1994 elections was not entirely unexpected. The political experience of these countries suggests that the transition to multiparty politics does not in itself resolve deep political problems nor does it necessarily lead to a transition to democracy. Notes, ref., sum. in English, French and Portuguese (p. 430).