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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Recent developments in the public law of francophone African States |
Author: | Reyntjens, F. |
Year: | 1986 |
Periodical: | Journal of African Law |
Volume: | 30 |
Issue: | 2 |
Pages: | 75-90 |
Language: | English |
Geographic terms: | French-speaking Africa Subsaharan Africa |
Subject: | constitutional reform |
Abstract: | The first constitutions of the former French territories in Africa were very similar, inspired as they were by the French constitution of 1958. Many constitutions have since succeeded these initial texts: between 1960 and 1985 there have been 43 constitutions in the 18 French-speaking countries under consideration, i.e. an average of 2.4 constitutions per country. After a short reminder of the initial situation, this article analyses the evolution in some selected fields: political parties, executive-legislative relations, designation of organs (presidential election, election of MPs), socialism, the role of the army, and procedures of constitution drafting. The conclusion assesses the present state of affairs in comparison with the English-speaking countries of Africa, where constitutional innovation has not occurred to nearly the same extent. Notes, ref. |