African parliaments: between governance and government

This volume presents an in-depth analysis of parliamentary development in sub-Saharan Africa since the democratic resurgence of the 1990s. The articles reveal the broader socioeconomic and political circumstances in which the parliaments described operate. Particular emphasis is placed on political accountability and oversight. The papers published here were all given at the Nairobi Conference on African Parliaments held in April 2003. Part One contains more general articles discussing such matters as the changing governance role, the comparative perspective of parliaments and politics in Africa, legislative quotas for women, local government and the role of citizens in democratic consolidation. It has contributions by M.A. Mohamed Salih, Wil Hout, Aili Mari Tripp, Dele Olowu and Reneske Doorenspleet (the last-mentioned with a special focus on Mali). The second part contains specific studies of the parliaments of various countries: Zambia (Jotham C. Momba), Ghana (Kwame Boafo-Arthur), Namibia (Henning Melber), Ethiopia (Kassahun Berhanu), Tanzania (Vibeke Wang), Malawi (Boniface Dulani and Jan Kees van Donge), and South Africa (Tim Hughes). The Conclusion is by M.A. Mohamed Salih. [ASC Leiden abstract]