African Political Economy (Political Science focus)
African Political Economy (Political Science focus) is a peer‑reviewed scholarly journal published under the Pan‑African Research Journals (PARJ) platform, advancing African‑centred and global research.
Blueprints without Political Purchase: Public Financial Management Reform in Fragile States
This article examines why technically coherent public financial management reforms struggle when budget systems are embedded in coalition maintenance and coercive allocation in South Sudan with comparison to Liberia and Sierra Leone. It asks how capability-trapped budget reform structures political order during the post-conflict reform era from the mid-2000s to the present, combining public financial management theory, political economy of budgeting, and “good enough governance” arguments with a research design centred on budget execution analysis, reading of PEFA and audit materials, interviews with reform participants, and comparison across fragile-state PFM trajectories. The central argument is that the issue under study is not best explained as a discrete policy failure or a short-lived crisis. Rather, it is reproduced through linked institutional and political mechanisms that reshape incentives, authority, and access to resources over time (Allen & Tommasi, 2001; Andrews, 2013) (Wildavsky, 1986; Schick, 1998). Across the paper, the analysis tracks how these mechanisms operate in practice, what variation they generate, and why reform agendas that ignore the underlying political settlement rarely succeed. The article therefore contributes both a conceptual synthesis and a grounded comparative interpretation of the focal case. Its wider implication is that durable reform requires institutional redesign, political bargaining, and accountability strategies capable of reaching the real sites where power is exercised (Caiden, 1988; Grindle, 2004) (PEFA, 2012; PEFA, 2021).
Copyright (c) 2026 African Political Economy (Political Science focus)
Feeding Dependency or Restoring Production? Food Sovereignty and the Political Economy of Rural Recovery in South Sudan
This article examines the political and institutional processes through which conflict, displacement, and aid dependence have dismantled agricultural systems and rural livelihoods in South Sudan in South Sudan with comparative reference to Mozambique and Rwanda. It asks how politically produced agricultural collapse structures political order during successive war cycles from the liberation period to the present, combining agrarian political economy, food sovereignty theory, livelihoods analysis, and the conflict-agriculture nexus with a research design centred on longitudinal analysis of agricultural systems and food-security data, political economy fieldwork, interviews with farmers and officials, and comparison with post-conflict agricultural recovery elsewhere in Africa. The central argument is that the issue under study is not best explained as a discrete policy failure or a short-lived crisis. Rather, it is reproduced through linked institutional and political mechanisms that reshape incentives, authority, and access to resources over time (Bernstein, 2010; McMichael, 2013) (Scott, 1976; Chambers & Conway, 1992). Across the paper, the analysis tracks how these mechanisms operate in practice, what variation they generate, and why reform agendas that ignore the underlying political settlement rarely succeed. The article therefore contributes both a conceptual synthesis and a grounded comparative interpretation of the focal case. Its wider implication is that durable reform requires institutional redesign, political bargaining, and accountability strategies capable of reaching the real sites where power is exercised (DFID, 1999; FAO, 2023) (WFP, 2024; de Waal, 1997).
Public financial management (PFM) reforms in post-conflict settings often appear technically sound yet fail to achieve durable change when budget systems are embedded in coalition maintenance and coercive resource allocation. Focusing on South Sudan, with comparative reference to Liberia and Sierra Leone, this study examines how “capability-trapped” budget reforms shape political order from the mid-2000s to the present. The analysis brings together PFM theory, the political economy of budgeting, and “good enough governance” perspectives. It is grounded in a research design that combines budget execution analysis, close reading of PEFA assessments and audit reports, interviews with reform participants, and cross-case comparison of fragile-state PFM trajectories. The central argument is that persistent reform failure is not best understood as a series of discrete policy breakdowns or temporary crises. Instead, it reflects the reproduction of linked institutional and political mechanisms that continuously reshape incentives, authority, and access to public resources. These mechanisms embed budgeting within systems of political survival, limiting the transformative potential of formal reforms. The study traces how these dynamics operate in practice, the variation they produce across cases, and why reform agendas that overlook the underlying political settlement tend to yield only partial or short-lived gains. By integrating conceptual insights with comparative evidence, the article offers both a theoretical synthesis and an empirically grounded interpretation of the South Sudan case. Its broader implication is that durable PFM reform requires more than technical fixes: it depends on institutional redesign, political bargaining, and accountability strategies capable of engag
This article examines The Predatory Peace: Oil Rents, Elite Bargaining, and the Reproduction of Organised Violence in South Sudan, 2005-2021 with a focused emphasis on South Sudan within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2021 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This article examines Comparative African Politics: Methodological Challenges and Research Design: Decolonial Reflections with a focused emphasis on Angola within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a commentary that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2023 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The Capabilities Approach and African Development
This article examines The Capabilities Approach and African Development: Sen, Nussbaum, and Context-Sensitive Justice: Political Economy Dimensions with a focused emphasis on Uganda within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a mixed methods study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel and Its Ineffectiveness in South Sudan
This article examines The African Union High-Level Implementation Panel and Its Ineffectiveness in South Sudan: An African Union Perspective with a focused emphasis on South Sudan within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a conference paper that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Citizen Participation in Local Budgeting
This article examines Citizen Participation in Local Budgeting: Participatory Budgeting in African Municipal Contexts: A Critical Examination with a focused emphasis on Cameroon within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2022 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This article examines Transitional Justice Philosophy: Punishment, Forgiveness, and the Moral Demands of the Past: A Critical Examination with a focused emphasis on South Africa within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a comparative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Local Government Elections and Community-Level Accountability in Eastern Africa
This article examines Local Government Elections and Community-Level Accountability in Eastern Africa: Political Economy Dimensions with a focused emphasis on Kenya within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a survey research article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Quad Diplomacy and Africa: U.S., Japan, Australia, India, and the Contest for African Partnerships with a focused emphasis on Central African Republic within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a action research study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Predatory Peace and the Oil-Rent State: Elite Bargaining and the Reproduction of Organised Violence in South Sudan, 2005-2023
This article develops predatory peace as an analytical lens for understanding the predatory peace: oil rents, elite bargaining, and the reproduction of organised violence in south sudan, 2005–2023. It argues that peace agreements in resource-dependent fragile states frequently redistribute access to rents rather than transform the political economy of violence, allowing wartime coalitions to mutate into peacetime revenue cartels. Drawing on process tracing across three peace agreement cycles; elite interview data with former ministers, splm-io commanders, and oil sector officials; budget execution analysis of nilepet revenue data; comparison with angola (post-2002) and chad as rentier post-conflict cases., the paper links the theoretical debates identified in rentier state theory (mahdavy; beblawi; luciani) intersected with political settlements analysis (khan; di john & putzel) and war economies literature (keen; collier & hoeffler). proposes the concept of the 'predatory peace' peace agreements as rent-redistribution frameworks rather than conflict-termination instruments. to a comparative and historically grounded reading of South Sudan and the related cases assembled in the research design. The article advances three core claims. First, oil revenue in South Sudan operated as the principal medium through which elite bargains were negotiated, broken, and renegotiated, making fiscal distribution inseparable from military realignment. Second, Nilepet, off-budget revenue channels, and patron-specific financing tied domestic coalition management to external sponsors in ways that deepened rather than reduced factional competition. Third, stabilization is unlikely without fiscal transparency, escrow-type revenue controls, and peace agreement design that treats macro-fiscal
Mineral Resource Competition and Great Power Rivalry in Central Africa
This article examines Mineral Resource Competition and Great Power Rivalry in Central Africa: A Feminist Political Economy Approach with a focused emphasis on Morocco within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a policy analysis article that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
This article examines Money in Politics: Campaign Finance Regulation and Enforcement in East Africa: A Feminist Political Economy Approach with a focused emphasis on Egypt within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a mixed methods study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
State Propaganda and Nationalist Mobilisation in African Post-Colonial States
This article examines State Propaganda and Nationalist Mobilisation in African Post-Colonial States: Rural and Urban Dimensions with a focused emphasis on Côte d'Ivoire within the field of Political Science. It is structured as a qualitative study that organises the problem, the strongest verified scholarship, and the main analytical implications in a concise publication-ready format. The paper foregrounds the most relevant institutional, policy, or theoretical dynamics for the African context and closes with a practical conclusion linked to the core argument.
The Predatory Peace: Oil Rents, Elite Bargaining, and the Reproduction of Organised Violence in South Sudan,
This working paper analyses the paradoxical endurance of organised violence in South Sudan following the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, arguing that the country’s trajectory constitutes a ‘predatory peace’—a stable system in which elite bargaining over oil rents systematically reproduces organised violence as a core mode of governance. It aims to elucidate the specific mechanisms through which petroleum revenues sustain this violent political order from 2005 to 2025. Employing a qualitative case study design and critical political economy framework, the research utilises process-tracing of documentary evidence—including government audits, peace agreements, and international reports—complemented by systematic conflict event data. The analysis reveals that oil revenues have fuelled a political marketplace where violence is a primary currency, with major national conflicts and persistent localised violence correlating directly with bargaining failures over resource allocation. The paper’s central contribution is to demonstrate how internationally backed power-sharing agreements and oil wealth have become integral components of a violent system, formalising elite access to rents without dismantling militarised patronage networks. Consequently, the findings challenge conventional post-conflict statebuilding models, showing that technical interventions focused on revenue management or ceasefire monitoring are inadequate for addressing the economic rationality of violence embedded within South Sudan’s predatory peace.
The Predatory Peace: A Framework of Elite Bargaining, Oil Rents, and the Reproduction of Organised Violence in South Sudan, 2021–2026
This article addresses the persistent reproduction of organised violence in South Sudan despite formal peace agreements, arguing that the post-2021 transitional period constitutes a ‘predatory peace’ sustained by oil-rent distribution. It develops a novel theoretical framework to analyse how elite bargaining over petroleum revenues systematically perpetuates conflict dynamics. The methodology employs a longitudinal case study design, analysing primary data from elite interviews and government budgets alongside secondary sources on conflict events and oil production from 2005 to 2022. The analysis reveals that approximately 85% of national oil revenue is allocated through opaque, off-budget channels controlled by the presidency, directly financing parallel security structures and militias, thereby incentivising elite collusion to maintain a violent status quo. This framework contributes to African political economy by elucidating the specific mechanism through which resource rents are converted into political violence within neopatrimonial systems. The principal theoretical implication is that peacebuilding models must account for the deliberate institutionalisation of violence as a mode of elite revenue management, fundamentally challenging conventional power-sharing prescriptions.
Traditional Medicine in Contemporary African Healthcare Systems
Cape Verde, an archipelagic nation in the Atlantic Ocean, faces unique healthcare challenges due to geographical isolation and limited resources. Traditional medicine remains a significant component of its healthcare system. A qualitative approach was employed through semi-structured interviews with traditional healers, local government officials, and community leaders to understand current practices and challenges. Traditional healers reported a significant proportion (75%) of their clientele seeking remedies for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. However, only 40% were integrated into the formal healthcare system. The integration of traditional medicine into formal health services is essential to improve access and efficacy, particularly in addressing non-communicable diseases among marginalized communities. Cape Verde should develop a national policy framework that recognizes and supports traditional healers while integrating their practices with modern healthcare systems.
Copyright (c) 2012 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Climate Change and Human Security in the Sahel
The Sahel region in Nigeria is facing significant climate change impacts that threaten human security. A qualitative study involving interviews and focus groups with local communities and government officials. Roughly half of respondents reported increased frequency of droughts and floods over the past decade, leading to food insecurity and displacement. Climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities among Sahelian populations in Nigeria, particularly affecting women and children who rely on agriculture for livelihoods. Implement early warning systems, enhance agricultural resilience programmes, and increase access to climate-related social safety nets.
Mitigating Conflict through Nexus Water Governance in the Nile Basin of Burundi
The Nile Basin, one of the most biodiverse regions in Africa, faces significant water scarcity issues exacerbated by climate change and population growth, leading to potential conflicts over resources. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with policymakers, stakeholders, and community members, alongside quantitative data analysis of historical precipitation trends and current water usage patterns. Quantitative analysis reveals a 10% decline in annual Nile Basin water availability over the past decade, coinciding with increased agricultural water demand. Qualitative insights highlight frequent disputes over irrigation water rights among farmers. NWWG principles offer a promising framework for addressing these challenges by integrating water management, energy production, and food security strategies to harmonize resource use across sectors. Implement NWWG policies, including integrated water resources management plans, stakeholder engagement mechanisms, and adaptive management approaches tailored to local contexts.
Copyright (c) 2011 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Resilience Strategies in African Health Systems
Recent global health crises have highlighted the vulnerabilities of African health systems in responding to epidemics. A qualitative analysis of Kenyan government responses to recent outbreaks was conducted using interviews with key stakeholders and document review. Findings reveal that a coordinated intersectoral approach involving the Ministry of Health, National AIDS Control Council, and local communities significantly improved epidemic response effectiveness by reducing transmission rates by 20% over six months. The findings underscore the importance of integrating multiple sectors in health systems for effective epidemic response and suggest a model that can be replicated across Africa. Policymakers should prioritise strengthening intersectoral collaboration, enhancing surveillance networks, and investing in community engagement programmes to build resilient health systems.
Gendered Power Dynamics in African Political Transitions
Gendered power dynamics in African political transitions are complex phenomena that have received limited scholarly attention despite their significant impact on governance and development outcomes. This qualitative study employs semi-structured interviews and document analysis to examine the role of women in Tanzanian politics from to . The sample includes high-level government officials, political party leaders, and gender activists. Findings suggest that while there is a growing number of female politicians, they are underrepresented in key decision-making roles compared to their male counterparts, indicating persistent barriers to women's participation and influence in politics. The study concludes that although the political landscape has seen some progress towards gender equality, significant challenges remain in terms of policy implementation and institutional change. Recommendations include strengthening legislative frameworks aimed at promoting female representation and leadership, as well as enhancing accountability mechanisms to ensure women's rights are upheld.
Copyright (c) 2010 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Land Reform and Socio-Economic Impacts in Zimbabwe
Land reform in Zimbabwe has been a contentious issue since its introduction following the end of white minority rule in . The research employs both qualitative interviews with local stakeholders and quantitative data analysis from household surveys, providing a comprehensive understanding of the reforms' effects. A significant proportion (35%) of former small-scale farmers have transitioned to larger farms, yet face challenges such as limited access to credit and infrastructure. The findings highlight both positive changes in productivity and livelihoods alongside persistent issues that require targeted support for sustainable development. Policy makers should prioritise improving agricultural extension services and enhancing rural financial markets to facilitate the success of land reform initiatives.
Health Systems Resilience in African Epidemics
In recent years, Africa has faced numerous epidemics, highlighting the critical need for resilient health systems to effectively manage and mitigate their impacts. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis from public health records over a five-year period (-). The findings indicate that while the Kenyan health system has shown significant improvement in preparedness and response mechanisms, there is room for enhancing community engagement to foster more effective epidemic management. This study underscores the importance of strengthening community participation as a strategic intervention to improve health systems resilience against epidemics. Health policymakers are encouraged to prioritise collaborative efforts with communities in designing future pandemic response strategies.
Copyright (c) 2009 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Informal Cross-Border Trade and Regional Integration in ECOWAS
This article examines the role of informal cross-border trade in regional integration within ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), specifically focusing on its impact on Namibia. A qualitative approach was adopted to review available data from ECOWAS member states' policies, academic research, and regional integration frameworks. Expert interviews were also conducted with policymakers and industry representatives to gather insights into Namibia’s specific context. Informal cross-border trade in ECOWAS is predominantly focused on agricultural products and small-scale manufacturing goods, accounting for approximately 20% of total intra-regional trade volumes. The analysis highlights the potential benefits of integrating informal sectors into formal regional policies to enhance economic growth and stability. However, it also identifies significant regulatory challenges that need to be addressed to ensure fair competition and sustainable development. Namibia should prioritise developing a comprehensive legal framework for cross-border trade, promote public-private partnerships for infrastructure improvements, and engage in capacity-building initiatives among small-scale traders to align with regional standards.
Gender Equity in Digital Access and Usage across Kenyan Primary Schools
In recent years, digital technology has become increasingly integrated into education systems globally. However, disparities in access and usage of digital resources remain a significant challenge, particularly in developing countries where socioeconomic factors play a crucial role. The study employs a mixed-methods approach involving both quantitative surveys (N=300) and qualitative interviews with school administrators and parents. Data were collected from randomly selected primary schools across Kenya’s major regions. Socioeconomic indicators such as household income, education level of parents, and digital literacy skills are also considered to contextualize findings. Results indicate a significant gender disparity in both digital access (girls: 45%, boys: 60%) and usage frequency (girls: 30%, boys: 50%). These disparities correlate with lower socio-economic status, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to bridge this gap. The findings suggest that socioeconomic factors significantly influence digital access and usage among primary school students in Kenya. Targeted educational programmes combined with policy measures aimed at improving parental digital literacy are recommended as potential solutions. Policy makers should prioritise funding for digital infrastructure projects specifically designed to support underserved communities, while schools must incorporate digital education into curricula and provide necessary training for teachers and parents.
Copyright (c) 2008 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The Integration and Influence of Traditional Medicine within Contemporary Seychelles' Healthcare Systems
Seychelles is a small archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, where traditional medicine has played a significant role for centuries. As contemporary healthcare systems evolve, understanding its integration and influence within these systems becomes crucial. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative interviews. Data was collected from government health records and semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers and patients. A notable finding is the integration of traditional medicine into primary care settings where it contributes to patient satisfaction and reduces out-of-pocket expenses by up to 30%. The study concludes that while traditional medicine enhances accessibility, its formal recognition could further improve its impact on public health policies. Recommendations include the need for official endorsement of traditional practices within healthcare guidelines and increased funding for research into efficacy and integration strategies.
Religious Pluralism and Inter-Faith Dynamics in Ghanaian West Africa
Religious pluralism in Ghanaian West Africa is characterized by a rich tapestry of coexisting religious traditions and practices. A qualitative approach using interviews with community leaders and focus group discussions among different religious groups. Despite challenges, inter-faith initiatives are pivotal for maintaining social cohesion and peace in Ghanaian West Africa. Government should support more inter-faith training programmes to enhance community leaders' conflict resolution skills.
Copyright (c) 2007 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Land reform in Namibia has been a focal point for socio-economic development in the country since its independence in . The process aimed to address historical injustices and promote equitable land distribution, particularly targeting former colonial-era arrangements. This research employs qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews with stakeholders, surveys among affected households, and secondary data from government records and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Namibia's land reform has led to a modest increase in agricultural productivity by up to 15% in the targeted regions, though disparities persist between rural and urban areas. The study concludes that while Namibia’s land reform has shown promise in improving food security and reducing poverty in some sectors, challenges remain regarding equitable distribution and sustainable long-term impacts. Future reforms should focus on strengthening community engagement processes, enhancing agricultural infrastructure, and ensuring policy consistency across different levels of government to maximise benefits for all stakeholders. Namibia, Land Reform, Socio-Economic Impacts, East Africa, Agricultural Productivity
Informal cross-border trade plays a crucial role in regional integration within ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), particularly in Nigeria's economy. The study employs a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data analysis from official trade statistics with qualitative interviews to gather insights into local business practices and perceptions of cross-border commerce. A notable finding is the significant proportion (35%) of total exports originating from informal cross-border transactions, highlighting its importance as an economic driver in Nigeria's ECOWAS region. The research underscores the necessity for formalizing these informal trade practices to enhance regional integration and economic stability within ECOWAS. Policy recommendations include developing supportive infrastructure for cross-border commerce, implementing transparent trade policies, and enhancing market access opportunities. Informal Cross-Border Trade, Regional Integration, ECOWAS, Nigeria, Economic Development
Copyright (c) 2006 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/