An autocrat's toolkit: adaptation and manipulation in ‘democratic’ Cameroon

The Wars of Who Belongs Where: The Unstable Politics of Autochthony on Kenya's Mt Elgon

“…First put forward by KADU in the early 1960s as a form of devolution that would give considerable powers over land, housing, local government, social services, education and policing to regional assemblies, majimboism was now recast as a system in which every region would be associated with 'local' communities from which 'outsiders' could be physically excluded if they failed to act like 'guests'. The majimboist discourse of the period thus displayed clear similarities with political narratives of autochthons and allogenes as articulated by politicians such as Paul Biya in Cameroon, who similarly sought to use ethnic distinctions and notions of differentiated rights to mobilize support and delimit opposition activity in ruling party strongholds at a time of political liberalization and heightened competition (Geschiere, 2004, p. 237;Albaugh, 2011).…”

Origins and Outcomes of Electoral Institutions in African Hybrid Regimes: A Comparative Perspective

“…Nevertheless, this delayed innovation came sufficiently early (that is, before the second set of elections) to give credibility to those who ar- The period between April 1990 and October 1992 constituted the period in which democratic change was a viable option (Albaugh 2011;Mehler 1993;Melone and Minokoa and Sindjoun 1997). President Biya's autocratic one-party state underwent a serious crisis from the spring of 1990 onward, when democratic forces in the country started to agitate for political change.…”

“…Second, those autocrats who maintained power after the transition, such as President Biya of Cameroon, refused to accede to the introduction of absolute majority systems for presi-21 See for example Albaugh (2011);Mehler (1993).…”

“…The electoral management body and the electoral system remained largely in place despite the demands of the opposition to the contrary. Before the critical juncture, there was no presidential term limit (Albaugh 2011;Mehler 1993;Melone and Minokoa and Sindjoun 1997). …”

“…It represented a reactivation of the electoral system that had already been in place between 1960 and 1972; the 1972 electoral law transformed the country into one constituency (Kitchabo 1989). Any changes in constituency boundaries normally occur immediately before the elections, or even after they have gotten under way (Joseph 1977;Bayart 1979;Melone and Minokoa and Sindjoun 1997;Albaugh 2011). …”