Suchergebnisse

The two contributions featured here appeared in the 'CODESRIA Bulletin' (No. 2, 1991). They were written as a contribution to the agenda of CODESRIA's December 1991 General Assembly, organised around the theme of 'Democratization Processes in Africa'. Although intervening events may have affected the validity of one or two minor points made, their focus on the twin objectives of individual liberties and social justice provides a valuable insight into the debate unfolding in Africa. It is a debate of universal significance: the reconciliation of political rights with social justice rights remains one of the fundamental problems confronting the socialist project. We are grateful to the CODESRIA Bulletin for permitting us to publish these abridged versions of the two papers. Readers interested in consulting the full originals, and of engaging in the debates sponsored by CODESRIA should write to them at Boite Postal 3304, Dakar, Senegal

Aus afrikanischer Sicht

Gründe für die politische Instabilität der Region. Kurzer Abriß der Geschichte der Krisen und Konflikte in Äthiopien, Somalia und Djibuti. Die Interessen und die Rolle der Sowjetunion und der USA in der Region und die wechselnden Allianzen. (DÜI-Ott)

It is argued that leaders and great political actors are by and large personifications of the social forces they represent in society. There have been two transfers of power in Africa since colonial times: one from the colonialists to the nationalists, and the second from the nationalists to authoritarian and even dictatorial presidentships. The author shows the rise of presidential authoritarianism in Kenya by exploring competition, United Front disintegration between 1963-66, strengthening of the presidency 1963-72, and the presidency and the crises of legitimacy 1970-78. (DÜI-Sen)

Political Instability and the Prospects for Democracy in Africa, by Peter Anyang' Nyong'o
The restoration of democracy, and the defence of democratie institutions in the political processes in Africa is very important for both political stability and development in Africa today. On democracy and democratie institutions dépend the presence of accountability in governance : with accountability cornes the enhancement of proper use of developmental resources for the improvement of the quality of life. This essay argues that public institutions, including the state, while controlling substantial resources and while very critical in the daily lives of people, have been generally unanswerable for their actions due to lack of accountability. This has led to several unresolvable conflicts and crises in society which quite often lead to coups d'Etat and perpétuai political instability. Already there are popular movements demanding democratie forms of government as a reaction to this state of affairs. Attempts by existing political regimes to suppress these movements have not solved the problem : if anything, they have merely led to more instability. This essay argues for the necessity of democracy as a condition sine qua non for political stability as well as development in Africa.

The concept of peace through development, a cornerstone of the UN program for world security, is explored, & implications for Africa are outlined. Specific barriers to such development are described, such as the violent structures inherited by Africa from colonialism & the effects of the SE crisis that has existed since the mid-1970s in the wake of natural disasters. Strategies for SE development & political independence are discussed, with focus on the proposals of the Lagos Plan of Action. Solutions will require a long-term approach & a policy mix of improved agricultural, forestry, & water management practices as well as new industrial development techniques. It is crucial that the world community attack the apartheid regime in Namibia as a first step in establishing South African peace. 3 Illustrations. K. Hyatt

Der Autor bezeichnet die Hauptprobleme der gegenwärtigen sozio-ökonomischen Krise in Afrika und erläutert die Empfehlungen des Lagos Plan of Action. (DSE)

Ein 1980 an fünf amerikanischen Universitäten vorgetragenes Referat zur Situation des Landes nach der Ermordung des Präsidenten Jomo Kenyatta im August 1978: Bewertung der Präsidentschaft unter dem Aspekt des kenianischen Nationalismus und der Veränderungen unter der Regierung Arap Moi. Analyse der sozio-ökonomischen Entwicklung und der Investitionsbedingungen des einheimischen Kapitals