The systems of government of Senegal and Ivory Coast

Abstract

The paper deals with the contemporary systems of government in two Sub‑Saharan African states which belonged to the French colonial empire – Senegal and Ivory Coast. The Senegalese constitution of 2001 contains regulations based on the semi‑presidential model, whereas the Ivorian basic law of 2000 – on the presidential one (although it was not adopted in a pure form). Special attention is devoted to the similarities and differences between the two systems, taking into consideration their constitutional structure (e.g. powers of the head of state, political responsibility of ministers and other aspects of relations within the executive branch, as well as between the latter and the legislative one). It is also pointed out that since the two countries gained their independence in 1960 Senegal and Ivory Coast have had quite different political experiences, which have exerted a visible influence on the functioning of their systems of government in practice. One of the key factors that deserve to be taken into account is the ability to produce democratic alternation of power between presidential candidates and political parties taking part in the electoral process.

Keywords

• Senegal
• Ivory Coast
• system of government
• semi‑presidentialism
• presidentialism