ABSTRACT
Much evidence supports David Abernethy's1 contention that Africa has suffered more than its fair share of political crises in recent years. Since the 1960s, the territorial integrity of many African countries has been subjected to one or more forms of systemic instability. Countries such as Angola, Liberia, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), Sierra Leone and Sudan have endured protracted civil wars. Military coups have occurred frequently in Benin, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, and Guinea. Ethnic violence has led to disruptions or decimations of political institutions in places like Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia. Religious intolerance has constantly threatened the governments in Algeria, Chad and a number of other countries.
