Governments of Africa

South Africa, Kenya, & Sudan

SS7CG1 The student will compare and contrast

various forms of governmenta. Describe the ways government systems

distribute power: Unitary, Confederation, and Federal

b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: Autocratic, Democratic, & Oligarchic

c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic government: Presidential and Parliamentary

Ways governments distribute power Unitary: characterized by or constituting

a form of government in which power is held by one central authority.

Dictatorship or Absolute Monarchies

Ways governments distribute power Confederation: voluntary associations of

independent states that, to secure some common purpose, agree to certain limitations on their freedom of action and establish some joint machinery of consultation or deliberation.

United Arab Emirates (Middle East) or OPEC

Ways governments distribute power Federal: characterized by or constituting

a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities.

Our government is federal (national and several state governments work together)

Different ways citizens’ participate in their government is defined Autocratic: government in which one

person possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government.

Different ways citizens’ participation in their government is defined Oligarchic: government by the few,

sometimes a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizen has a very limited role.

Different ways citizens’ participation in their government is defined Democratic: a government in which the

supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.

SS7CG2 The student will explain the structures of

the modern governments of Africaa. Compare the republican systems of

government in the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of South Africa to the dictatorship of the Republic of Sudan, distinguishing the form of leadership and role of the citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms

Governments in Africa

Modern governments in Africa differ from one another.

The governments of Morocco, Kenya, Libya, and South Africa all share common traits, but operate much differently from one another.

Since many modern African governments directly replaced colonial rule and borders do not necessarily follow tribal and ethnic lines, there is much competition for resources.

South Africa

South Africa is made up of nine provinces. The constitution of South Africa was

ratified in 1996. The constitution splits power between the

executive and legislative branch and contains a bill of rights for all South Africans.

South Africa

The legislative branch of South Africa has two houses, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

The National Assembly has 400 members elected by South African citizens for five-year terms.

The National Council of Provinces has ten members from each province elected by provincial legislatures.

South Africa The president is elected for a five-year

term by the majority party in the National Assembly.

The president appoints a deputy president and cabinet from members of the National Assembly.

18 year old to vote in South Africa

Kenya

In 1963, Kenya declared its independence from England.

Kenya is a republic with a popularly elected president.

A republic is similar to a representative democracy, because the people in a republic vote for their representatives.

Until 1991, Kenya had Only one political party, by law.

Kenya

In 1992, Kenya held its first presidential election that included more than one candidate running for office.

The executive branch, which includes the office of president, is the strongest branch of Kenyan government.

The president serves a five-year term with a two-term limit and acts as head of state and head of government.

The president appoints a cabinet of ministers and a vice president.

Kenya

Kenya’s legislature, or parliament, is a one-chamber body called the National Assembly, or Bunge.

The president must approve any law passed by the National Assembly.

Citizens of Kenya elect the majority of members of the National Assembly.

Other members are appointed. All Kenyan citizens 18 or older are able to vote for

the president and members of the National Assembly.

Sudan: Legal system:

Based on English common law and Islamic law

17 years of age for voting Constitution that outlines the governments

powers.

Sudan’s GovernmentSudan: Executive Branch Sudan’s president is the head of state,

head of government, and commander in chief of the armed forces

Sudan: Legislative branch: Bicameral National Legislature consists of a Council of States and a National Assembly

Summary Compare and contrast the governments of

South Africa, Kenya, and Sudan.

Test Yourself SS7CG1a:

In Nigeria’s government, power is divided between Central and Regional authorities. This is an example of which government type?

a. Unitaryb. Confederationc. Federald. Parliamentary

SS7CG1b: All citizens participate equally in which type

of government?a. Oligarchyb. Democracyc. Autocracyd. Theocracy

SS7CG2: Kenya is a Republic and Sudan is a

dictatorship. How does the method of voting differ in these countries?

a. In Sudan, all citizens elect a presidentb. In Sudan, citizens do not elect a leaderc. In Kenya, citizens do not elect a leaderd. In Kenya, a few citizens elect the president