Presidential Term Limits: A Threat to Peace and Security in Africa

Abstract

This article interrogates the recent trend whereby some African leaders resort to
constitutional amendments to remove presidential term limits. It seeks to identify the
factors that explain why this pattern is gaining ground in a growing number of countries,
and analyzes its implications for peace and security in Africa. Attention is paid to two
countries: Burundi and Burkina Faso which recently grappled with the issue of term
limits with different outcomes. The article holds that the extension of presidential term
limits threatens long-term peace and security in Africa. It argues that such political acts
encourage unconstitutional changes of government, undermine human security, and
weaken democratic institutions—all of which are critical to peace and security.