Coalitions and Leadership Challenges in Africa: A Case of the 2009-2013 Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The objective of this study was to find out whether coalition governments are feasible for the continent of Africa and to establish why they have in recent times become a recurrent feature of African politics. This was established through gauging the gains and challenges of coalition governments and its success in transforming socio economic and political situations. Factors that led to its formation were also analysed in depth in order to make contributions that may solve this phenomenon. The study also focused on the leadership challenges that Africa faces. The study was informed by the concept of coalitions. The concept reveals that parliamentary democracies will engage in a coalition due to parliamentary representation in order to achieve a set of goals. The study is qualitative study which was analysed thematically. It was found that many coalitions are formed after disputed elections and that leadership in Africa is largely characterized by long serving rule and millitarian ideologies. The study revealed that coalition governments are a successful and effective system for achieving its intended goals and addressing socio economic and political instability. The researcher then recommended that transparent processes must be engaged in a bid to reduce disputes. The researcher also recommended that the electoral commissions and the security sector should be clearly liberalized and work in independence from the government. The researcher recommended that political parties should set aside party agendas and advance those of the coalition for the maximum benefit of the nation.