Can parliaments enhance the quality of democracy on the African continent? An analysis of institutional capacity and public perception

African parliaments have limited capacity to hold the executive to account

Authors: L. Nijzink; S. Mozaffar; E. Azavedo
Publisher: Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, 2008
Via: Eldis

Since the early 1990s, when many African countries resumed multi-party elections and democratic practices, legislative strengthening programmes have become an important part of international assistance. Parliaments are generally regarded as potential agents for democratic change but their actual role in enhancing the quality of democracy in Africa is far from clear. In this context, this study examines two issues that are crucial to the democracy enhancing potential of Africa’s current parliaments.

(http://www.sarpn.org.za/documents/d0002095/Democracy_Parliament_
CSSR_May2006.pdf)