ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the traditional institutions are equally important in addressing the continent's governance challenges and should therefore not be made to play only a subservient or restricted role by modern rulers. It looks at the role of the different strata of traditional institutions in democratic governance in general. The chapter presents some key issues such as democracy, legitimacy, governance, and socioeconomic system. It answers critical questions such as whether traditional institutions are incompatible with democracy by virtue of the fact that leaders are often not elected. The chapter examines the role of traditional institutions in democratization processes as well as their compatibility, complementarity, or otherwise, with the modern democratic institutions in the different spheres of governance. It discusses the nature of traditional institutions, leadership structure, and their source of power and the interaction between traditional institutions and formal institutions. The chapter deals with the processes of resource allocation, decision making, and conflict resolution by traditional institutions.
