This policy brief by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) delves into the persistence and dangers of winner-take-all politics in Africa. Despite significant democratic transitions and constitutional reforms since the 1990s, this zero-sum approach to governance remains prevalent, undermining democratic stability and inclusive governance. The brief explains how this political model excludes opposition parties and their supporters from significant public opportunities and appointments, leading to highly polarized and often violent electoral contests. It highlights the historical roots of winner-take-all politics and examines its modern manifestations and impacts on African governance. The brief offers recommendations to mitigate these issues, including enforcing presidential term limits, decongesting presidential powers, empowering opposition parties, promoting meritocratic recruitment in public services, and democratizing subnational and local governments. These measures aim to foster more inclusive, stable, and democratic governance across the continent.

This policy brief by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) explores the crucial role of traditional and religious leaders in the debates surrounding presidential term limits in Africa. Highlighting various case studies, the brief examines how these leaders have either supported or opposed term limit extensions, influencing democratic processes and constitutional governance. It discusses instances where traditional and religious leaders have aligned with pro-democracy movements to resist authoritarianism, as seen in Zambia and Burkina Faso, and contrasts these with cases where leaders have supported incumbents for personal or political gain, as in Malawi and the Republic of Congo. The brief underscores the importance of engaging these leaders in constitution-making processes and ensuring their financial autonomy and alignment with democratic values to promote constitutionalism and the rule of law.

​This policy brief by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) discusses the past, present, and future of presidential term limits in Africa, emphasizing their crucial role in promoting constitutionalism and preventing authoritarian rule. Despite widespread adoption of term limits in the 1990s, the brief highlights ongoing challenges, including attempts by incumbents to extend their tenure through constitutional amendments or referenda. It examines various protective mechanisms, such as unamendable clauses, stringent amendment procedures, judicial review, and provisions excluding incumbents from benefiting from amendments. The brief stresses the importance of strengthening these safeguards, enhancing supranational oversight, and fostering active citizen participation to uphold democratic governance and ensure the effective implementation of term limits.

This policy brief by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) examines the growing nostalgia for “benevolent” dictatorships in Africa and the challenges they pose to democratic consolidation. It highlights the resurgence of support for autocratic leaders perceived as efficient and decisive amidst widespread disillusionment with democratic governance. The brief explores historical and contemporary cases, such as Rwanda under Paul Kagame, and contrasts them with the negative impacts of long-term autocratic rule seen in countries like Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It argues that the perceived success of benevolent dictatorships is often overstated and not replicable across Africa. The brief concludes by emphasizing the importance of strengthening democratic institutions, regional oversight, and civil society to promote sustainable and inclusive governance

This policy brief by the African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL) addresses the roles and practices of the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in promoting peaceful political transitions through presidential term limits in Africa. It examines the historical context of power transfers in Africa, the adoption of term limits in the 1990s, and the ongoing challenges posed by attempts to circumvent or remove these limits. The brief highlights the AU’s and RECs’ normative frameworks, such as the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), and critiques their inconsistent enforcement of these standards. It argues for a more robust and proactive stance by the AU and RECs in upholding term limits to ensure democratic governance, stability, and the rule of law across the continent. Recommendations include adopting a clear continental policy against term limit extensions, strengthening sanctions regimes, supporting civil society, and engaging African citizens in democratic processes.