Unpacking presidential models in African constitutions

bibliographic database
Line

Periodical article

Title:	Unpacking presidential models in African constitutions
Author:	Sekindi, Fred
Year:	2015
Periodical:	East African Journal of Peace and Human Rights (ISSN 1021-8858)
Volume:	21
Issue:	2
Pages:	355-365
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Africa
Subjects:	constitutional law heads of State power
Abstract:	Constitutions in many African countries have demonstrated that the presidency must be granted command of the armed forces, as well as immunity from legal proceedings, among other presidential privileges and powers. However, very few attempts have been made to question the origins of these powers and privileges, and to circumscribe presidential authority in order to avoid the potential misuse and abuse of the power and privileges of the presidency. As a result, the control of presidential authority in many African countries remains one of the most challenging issues in constitutional frameworks. This article attempts to unpack presidential models in African constitutions. It argues that constitutions in Africa are designed to entrench the powers of the heads of state and governments under whose leadership or influence they were created, and it is from those laws that presidential authority has emerged. Therefore, because of the purpose for which those laws were designed, they have not provided sufficient constraints on heads of state and governments. Notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]