The politics of opposition in contemporary Africa

Abstract

This book is mainly devoted to a discussion of the broad experiences of the opposition parties that have emerged as a part of the movement towards multi-party politics in Africa. The contributors to the book tackle an interesting mix of issues from a critique of opposition politics in the context of the economic decline in Africa to an assessment of the effors made by the opposition to establish an effective presence under extremely difficult circumstances. The book also draws attention to the many internal organisational/leadership problems that have contributed as much to the weakness of the opposition as the machinations of the ruling parties. Ethnicity, religion and regionalism are identified as crucial factors militating against the opposition. Case studies are drawn from Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

<p>Contents: 1. Economic Crisis, Multipartyism, and Opposition Politics in Contemporary Africa / Adebayo O. Olukoshi -- 2. Contestation over Political Space: The State and the Demobilisation of Opposition Politics in Kenya / Karuti Kanyinga -- 3. Opposition Politics in Zimbabwe: The Struggle within the Struggle / Tandeka C. Nkiwane -- 4. The Senegalese Opposition and its Quest for Power / Aminata Diaw and Mamadou Diouf -- 5. The Rise to Power of an Opposition Party: The MNSD in Niger Republic / Jibrin Ibrahim and Abdoulaye Niandou Souley -- 6. The Dilemmas of Directed Democracy: Neutralising Ugandan Opposition Politics under the NRM / Johan Ssenkumba -- 7. From People´s Politics to State Politics: Aspects of National Liberation in South Africa / Michael Neocosmos -- 8. Political Opposition and Democratic Transitions in Nigeria, 1985-1996 / Osita Agbu </p>