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Palgrave Macmillan

The Politics of Challenging Presidential Term Limits in Africa

  • Book
  • © 2020

Overview

Editors:
  1. Jack R. Mangala

    1. Grand Valley State University, Wyoming, USA

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  • Analyzes the dynamics behind efforts to change presidential term limits in Africa
  • Assesses case studies from all over the continent
  • Combines theoretical perspectives on the value of term limits with strong empirical observations

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Table of contents (8 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
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  2. Presidential Term Limits, the Never-Ending Debate

    • Jack R. Mangala
    Pages 1-33

  3. J’Y Suis, J’Y Reste“Here I am, here I’ll stay,” legendary words of Field Marshall MacMahon during the siege of Sabastopol in 1855 who went on to become President of France, but turned out to be a mediocre politician. His famous quote has often been echoed during the term limits debate in reference to African presidents who cling to power manu military and at any cost.

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 35-35
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    2. The Battle for Term Limits in Rwanda

      • David E. Kiwuwa
      Pages 37-64

    3. The Making of a Monarchical Republic: The Undoing of Presidential Term Limits in Gabon Under Omar Bongo

      • Daniel Mengara
      Pages 65-104

    4. Presidential Term Limits in Uganda: Do Elections Provide an Avenue for Alternate Power Succession?

      • Sabiti Makara
      Pages 105-137

  4. Touche pas à ma Constitution“Hands off my constitution,” a rallying slogan used by many civil society organizations in the debate over presidential term limits in Francophone Africa.

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 139-139
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    2. The Undoing of a Semi-authoritarian Regime: The Term Limit Debate and the Fall of Blaise Compaoré in Burkina Faso

      • Daniel Eizenga, Leonardo A. Villalón
      Pages 141-170

    3. Failed Elongation of Presidential Term Limits in Nigeria Under Olusegun Obasanjo

      • Hassan A. Saliu, Abdulrasheed A. Muhammad
      Pages 171-203

    4. Frederick Chiluba’s Third Presidential Term Bid in Zambia

      • Cephas Lumina
      Pages 205-226

    5. Constitutionalism and the Future of Presidential Term Limits in Africa

      • Jack R. Mangala
      Pages 227-233

  5. Back Matter

    Pages 235-239
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Keywords

About this book

This book takes stock of the debate surrounding the institution of presidential term limits in Africa, against the backdrop of global trends toward authoritarianism and the rise of strong men. Widely adopted three decades ago, term limits for the office of the president are now being challenged by many African leaders. The power alternation debate in Africa raises important questions concerning the future of democracy and development on the continent. Using a case study approach, this book explores in detail six situations in which leaders have either succeeded or failed in altering term limits. It thoroughly dissects the arguments, tactics and strategies on both sides of the issue, and draws key lessons for strengthening constitutionalism in Africa.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Grand Valley State University, Wyoming, USA

    Jack R. Mangala

About the editor

Jack R. Mangala is Professor of Global Studies and Political Science at Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA, where he also serves as Chair of the Area and Global Studies Department.

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