ABSTRACT
Although many African countries have had to address pressures for democratisation and are undergoing some form of transition (Decalo 1992), Mali is an especially interesting case which could provide useful insights into the durability of democracy on the African continent and elsewhere. Mali has experienced extraordinary changes in the past three years leading to the almost total transformation of the political system from a highly authoritarian regime to one which has all of the trappings of a liberal democracy. Unlike many other nations, Mali was fortunate in being able to write a new constitution and hold elections without the burden of continued participation in the process by a ruling party and head of state (Vengroff et al 1992; Clark 1992; Nzrankeu 1993). Therefore, the more open procedure offers a better indication of the degree to which, given the opportunity, a modern democratic system can take root in the African milieu.
