Introduction thématique: Gouvernance et démocratie en Afrique: La population a son mot à dire

Today governance and democracy are commonly considered as key factors of success for economic policies in African countries, and, more broadly, for the level of development achieved. The first explanation is that the recurring failure of programs recommended by the international institutions in Africa has led to a broad consensus on the importance of both economic policies and the way they are implemented. The second explanation is that a global trend - "the third wave of democratization"- began in the early 1990s among many developing countries, including the African continent, so that political participation, empowerment, inclusiveness and ownership have become central concepts in development programs and international poverty reduction strategies. Governance and democracy were previously viewed as instrumental to development (democracy contributes to good governance, which in turn helps accelerate economic growth and reduce inequalities) and now are increasingly considered essential to public welfare as well. For example, the protection of individual rights (political freedom, freedom of expression, etc.) is a top priority, while a corruption-free administration that reduces discriminatory practices is critical to a perception of justice.