INTERNATIONAL ELECTION MONITORING - THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

Democracy in Africa, as elsewhere, is in something of a crisis. This h as prompted an agonizing reappraisal of the role elections play in the consolidation of democracy and, in particular, of the contribution of independent election observers to that process. This article assesses critically the performance of election monitors within the context of broader international efforts to promote democratic norms in Africa. It explores the evolution and operationalization of the practice, iden tifies and evaluates the functions undertaken, and analyses the defici encies revealed in the light of current critiques. It concludes with s ome prescriptions as to how the process might be improved and the cred ibility of monitoring restored.