Élections et Risque d’Instabilité en Afrique : Favoriser Des Processus Électoraux Légitimes

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in August 2014, examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often become critical moments of tension because they are primarily viewed as a means of accessing state resources. The author advocates for a shift from purely technical electoral support to a broader approach based on inclusive political settlements, multi-actor dialogue, and the strengthening of credible electoral management bodies and domestic observation networks to ensure legitimacy and peace.

• Elections in Africa are frequently characterized by intense competition because victory provides essential access to state resources, making them a critical risk factor for instability in fragile regimes.
• The use of elections as a tool for power confiscation—through methods such as gerrymandering, fraud, and constitutional changes—creates a false stability that often leads to violent conflict and a disconnect between the government and society.
• Political stability is significantly increased when there is an inclusive political settlement regarding the sharing of power and resources. Proportional representation systems are noted as being more effective than majority systems in reducing tensions and expanding representation in Africa.
• Electoral Management Bodies (OGE) in many African countries lack the professional capacity, independence, and institutional memory required to be credible, often necessitating the restart of electoral infrastructure and lists for every election.
• Domestic election observation networks are often more legitimate and effective than international missions, which are sometimes criticized for lacking local knowledge, having short timeframes, and prioritizing short-term stability over local contestations.
• Preventing electoral violence requires inclusive mediation mechanisms and early warning systems that involve a diverse range of actors, including religious leaders, traditional authorities, and civil society, rather than relying solely on reactive security measures.

APA

Crouzel, I. (2014). Élections et Risque d’Instabilité en Afrique : Favoriser Des Processus Électoraux Légitimes. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Occasional-Paper-200.pdf

Chicago

Crouzel, Ivan. Élections et Risque d’Instabilité en Afrique : Favoriser Des Processus Électoraux Légitimes. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2014. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Occasional-Paper-200.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Crouzel |first1=Ivan |title=Élections et Risque d’Instabilité en Afrique : Favoriser Des Processus Électoraux Légitimes |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=August 2014 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Occasional-Paper-200.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{crouzel2014lections, author = {Crouzel, Ivan}, title = {{Élections et Risque d’Instabilité en Afrique : Favoriser Des Processus Électoraux Légitimes}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2014}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Occasional-Paper-200.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }