Untenable Marriages: Situating Governments of National Unity in Africa’s Political Landscape Since 2000

Abstract

This studyexamines Africa’s newest political phenomenon of forced political marriagescalled Governments of National Unity (GNUs) or Inclusive Governments. Itendeavours to situate these governments in the continent’s political landscapewith the view of assessing the phenomenon’s contribution to the democraticdiscourse in Africa. It analyses the foundations of such governments with theview of examining the extent to which they have been conflict resolvers incountries where they have been established. While this study acknowledges thepositive contribution of GNUs in conflict management and resolution, the studyposits that by and large GNUs have had the effect of subverting the voices ofthe electorate in Africa. The study argues that where they have beenestablished, such governments have made the administrative systems of the countries fail to deliver desired services to the people as the political parties in the ‘marriage’ haggle for political supremacy. The study furtheravers that the foundation of these governments is lack of democratic traditionsof accepting electoral defeat and failure by African electoral supervisory machineries to operate impartially. Consequently, the implication of thefindings is that GNUs do not eliminate conflict but simply transform it thusonly partially solving the problem.