Main Article Content
The Nexus between Disputed Elections and Governments of National Unity in Africa
Abstract
This article offers a critical analysis of the nexus between disputed elections
and governments of national unity and how they work. It also casts light on the merits and limits of GNUs with two case studies of Kenya and Zimbabwe. A brief discussion of the conceptual foundation of GNUs precedes a more expansive focus on the two cases. The article argues that the GNUs have their merits in the short-term as short-term political and economic stabilisers and a vitiation of the democratic will of the voters. However, they are not a panacea
for long-running structural problems that beset most African countries. The article also notes that developments in Côte d’Ivoire have made GNUs a less-attractive institutional option, even in the short-term
and governments of national unity and how they work. It also casts light on the merits and limits of GNUs with two case studies of Kenya and Zimbabwe. A brief discussion of the conceptual foundation of GNUs precedes a more expansive focus on the two cases. The article argues that the GNUs have their merits in the short-term as short-term political and economic stabilisers and a vitiation of the democratic will of the voters. However, they are not a panacea
for long-running structural problems that beset most African countries. The article also notes that developments in Côte d’Ivoire have made GNUs a less-attractive institutional option, even in the short-term
