Statehood and governance: challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

What is the current state of governance in sub-Saharan Africa?

By: Klingebiel S & Grimm S
Published by: German Development Institute (GDI), 2007
Via: Eldis

With the exception of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, Africa as a whole has become more politically open. Pan-African initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the African Union (AU) have done away with the political taboo of interference in internal affairs. However, major governance deficits persist in almost all parts of the continent and, in many cases, governance structures are being weakened by external actors, particularly with regards to development aid. This document analyses some of the challenges relating to governance and statehood facing Sub-Saharan African countries. It focuses on looking at the levels of stability, the different dimensions of statehood and the role that external actors are playing.

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