[ A study of exemplary standard ]

Decentralisation in Mozambique – input to peace and democracy

The main issues of this research work, a theoretically sound case study, are: How do political actors or parties in conflicts influence the forming of democratic institutions in a democracy that is not yet consolidated? What impact does decentralisation have on conflict transformation and democratisation at national and local levels? In the theoretical part of the book, Fandrych analyses approaches to decentralisation based on theory and discusses them with an eye on their message about democratisation and conflict transformation. From that she develops in the second part working hypotheses as the basis for central questions of empirical research. These deal with the beginnings of decentralisation in Mozambique, with decentralisation as the conflict-plagued process at the national level, as well as with the functioning and legitimacy of municipal self-administration.

This work impresses by its exemplary theoretical and methodological standard, and the wealth and clarity of its empirical findings. The author manages to show the dynamics of the interests and interaction of the actors at national and local level and assess them in relation to the central issues. According to Fandrych's main conclusion, decentralisation is by no means enough to consolidate peace and democracy in Mozambique. At the same time, she warns against underestimating the contribution decentralisation is making to the country's democratisation. For instance, the debate on decentralisation has revealed shortcomings in the democratisation process, particularly the lack of democracy within the political parties and participation by the people. This book should be a required reading for anyone working in development cooperation with Mozambique. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights for dealing with countries in the aftermath of civil wars, and not only in Africa.

Sabine Fandrych:
Kommunalreform und Lokalpolitik in Mosambik. Demokratisierung und Konflikttransformation jenseits des zentralistischen Staates?
[Municipal Reform and Local Politics in Mozambique. Democratisation and Conflict Transformation Beyond the Centralist State?]
Hamburg, Institut für Afrika-Kunde 2001, 518 pp., Euro 29,
ISBN 3-928049-75-5 [in German]