The Status of the President of the Republic and the Stability of the Political System

Whatever people may say, the presidency is (...) at the heart of the crises rocking the vast majority of sub-Saharan countries. It is one of the key factors, if not the excuse most frequently cited by the various actors and protagonists. Most of the political crises and deadly conflicts tearing French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa apart are a direct or indirect consequence of a poorly managed transition of power, poor governance, or the absence of any limit on the length of a leader's term of office. This serves as a pretext for clinging to tradition in defiance of the democratic standards that should lead to the rule of law. Constitutional amendments are made through obsessive political deals with a single aim: to retain power for as long as possible.

Whatever people may say, the presidency is (...) at the heart of the crises rocking the vast majority of sub-Saharan countries. It is one of the key factors, if not the excuse most frequently cited by the various actors and protagonists. Most of the political crises and deadly conflicts tearing French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa apart are a direct or indirect consequence of a poorly managed transition of power, poor governance, or the absence of any limit on the length of a leader's term of office. This serves as a pretext for clinging to tradition in defiance of the democratic standards that should lead to the rule of law. Constitutional amendments are made through obsessive political deals with a single aim: to retain power for as long as possible.