Abstract
In this chapter, Charles Fombad points out that a major cause of political and constitutional instability in post-independence Africa was the ease with which political leaders subverted constitutionalism by arbitrarily changing constitutions to suit their political agendas. He examines the actual and potential impact of the various control devices which constitutional designers in the post-1990 constitutional reforms introduced to limit the ability of governments to abusively change constitutions. After analyzing the amendment patterns in a number of selected African countries, he concludes that although there has been some progress, more reforms still need to be undertaken to check the problem of arbitrary constitutional change in Africa.
I would like to acknowledge the previous publication of this chapter, under the same title, in: International Journal of Constitutional Law (2013) 11(2): 382–413. doi: 10.1093/icon/mot001.
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Fombad, C.M. (2017). Some Perspectives on Durability and Change Under Modern African Constitutions. In: Sahle, E. (eds) Democracy, Constitutionalism, and Politics in Africa. Contemporary African Political Economy. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55592-2_3
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