Yannick Stéphane

In Africa, state power does not always come from elections and is not always governed by the constitution. In many respects, it can result from unorthodox means that are diametrically opposed to the ideals of democracy. The ever-flourishing crisis constitutionalism of French-speaking Black African states shows that in this part of the world, it is possible to hold office and high positions of responsibility at the top of the state without being mandated by the people or their representatives. When it comes to safeguarding its interests and defending itself through transitional governments, the people tend to be rather hospitable to what paradoxically seems strange to the constitutional philosophy of power.