Elections and conflict resolution: The West African experience

The battle for democracy on the African continent has been long and arduous. In many African countries the absence of democracy was first experienced as political authoritarianism, enforced by quickly constituted regimes mostly characterised by their totalitarianism; their intent was to dominate practically the whole lives of their citizens, and not to tolerate any serious opposition to their aims and objectives. Under the pretext of needing to build fledgling nations, or to foster social and economic development, the political powers in charge showed little respect for civil liberties or the right to object. The seriousness of elections and their role in conflicts - and thus conflict resolution - in West Africa, can only be understood against the background of the role of elections as a primary source of conflict within these states. This paper outlines and explores that background.