Europe in the World Research Seminar Series

Organised by Ulrich Krotz, Federico Romero and Richard Maher

POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE

AN INQUIRY INTO THE REGULARITY OF PRESIDENTIAL RULE IN TEN COUNTRIES OF SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Jean Blondel | Professor Emeritus, EUI

This presentation examines the ‘regularity’ of presidential rule in sub-Saharan Africa. ‘Regular’ presidencies are those where elected leaders abide by constitutional and legal requirements that govern the length of presidential terms. Blondel counts five presidencies in sub-Saharan Africa that have been ‘regular’ since they became independent—Botswana, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, and Mozambique. He also identifies five countries that became regular years or decades after their independence—Benin, Uganda, Ghana, Liberia, and Nigeria. In addition to analysing why some countries have been able to adopt ‘regular’ presidencies and others have not, Blondel will also discuss the origins and diffusion of presidential rule—first in the United States, then to Latin America, and, following decolonization, to sub-Saharan Africa.

Chair: Ulrich Krotz