A critical look at the charter on democracy, elections and governance in Africa

An analysis of the African Union Charter and its role in promoting stability and democracy

By: Saungweme, S
Published by: Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project, Open Society Institute, 2007
Via: Eldis

This paper provides a critical analysis of the recently adopted African Union (AU) Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance in Africa (the Charter). It identifies issues that pose a threat to stability and democracy in Africa and focuses on an analysis into the root causes of unconstitutional changes of government.

The author argues that there are various provisions and references to African realities that could make the Charter a stronger defender of human rights and one that protects peoples rather than regimes.
(http://www.sarpn.org/documents/d0002566/Charter_Saungweme_May2007.pdf)