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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Post-conflict elections in Africa: Liberia and Guinea-Bissau in comparative perspective |
Authors: | Akokpari, John Azevedo, Elisabete |
Year: | 2007 |
Periodical: | African Journal of International Affairs (ISSN 0850-7902) |
Volume: | 10 |
Issue: | 1-2 |
Pages: | 73-92 |
Language: | English |
Notes: | biblio. refs. |
Geographic terms: | Liberia Guinea-Bissau West Africa |
Subjects: | elections 2005 democratization politics Conflict management Guinea-Bissau--Politics and government Liberia--Politics and government |
Abstract: | Liberia and Guinea-Bissau have experienced political turbulence in the forms of conflicts and coups d'état. The two countries both held elections in 2005. This essay argues that elections are vital for post-conflict stability and development. Long-term stability in turn depends on the adoption of a more inclusive political framework such as proportional representation as opposed to the exclusive, first-past-the-post system that Liberia currently uses. While there is ground for optimism about the prospects for post-conflict democratic consolidation and stability, this will very much depend on a set of critical factors not least among which are the nurturing of the fragile democratic institutions, decentralization of power to local authorities, the deconcentration of power in the executive branch of government, the total regulation of campaign financing, support from the international community, and above all the commitment of Liberians and Guineans to move their respective countries forward. Bibliogr., notes, sum. in English and French. [Journal abstract] |