Power Games - Geopolitical Realignment in West Africa

Abstract

“If anyone doubts that democracy can flourish in Africa, come to Senegal,” AFP quoted Hillary Clinton as saying during her 11-day African tour in late July, during her stop in Dakar. The US Secretary of State immediately added, however, “The continent still has too many autocratic leaders who do more to preserve their power than to preserve the well-being of their citizens.” Is the imaginary glass of African democracy half full or half empty? This is the poetic question that more and more people are asking. There is no doubt that the geopolitical map of West Africa provides excellent examples of this problem.