Political Parties in West Africa: The Challenge of Democratization in Fragile States

7,419
This publication is only available in electronic format
Published: 
26 September 2007
Language: 
English
Pages: 
59
ISBN: 
978-91-85724-22-2 (Print)
Author(s): 
Said Adejumobi
Available Languages:

Little systematic knowledge exists relating to how political parties are regulated and how they function internally in different countries. There is also very little known about the operational problems parties face.

The objective of International IDEA’s Programme of Research and Dialogue with Political Parties is to contribute to an environment that is conducive to the development of political parties, and thereby to contribute to democracy.

The aim is not to work out a universally ideal model of a political party, but rather to examine and collate information on the extraordinary variety of parties that function in different political systems of the world. The results of this research may help parties identify and exchange good practices and learn from one another.

This report concerns political parties in 13 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. The research was made possible by the participation of the Centre pour la Gouvernance Démocratique (Burkina Faso), the Center for Democratic Development (Ghana) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (Nigeria). 

Contents

Methodology

Introduction

West Africa: political party and electoral systems

External regulation and the internal functioning of parties

Conclusion and recommendations

Acronyms and abbreviations

References and select bibliography

About the lead author

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International IDEA Regional Director for Africa and West Asia, Dr Roba Sharamo, with the Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr Workneh Gebeyeh, during the signing ceremony in Addis Ababa. Image credit: International IDEA.

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