Political Geography of Africa Answers

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Government instability leads to humanitarian crises. It negatively impacts the economy, resulting in increased poverty. The disruption of food supplies results in famine. In Somalia and Sudan, for example, more than millions of people have died from starvation and disease, and millions more have fled these areas and are living as refugees. There is not enough money to deal with health care issues. More people suffer from a lack of clean water supplies. In Africa, it means there is less money to fight diseases, such as malaria or the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and Africa has among the highest infection rates in the world.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: Today, the democratic government of Kenya operates under a new constitution that was passed in 2010. The constitution created a system of checks and balances and reduced the power of the president. A new Bill of Rights was created to protect democratic freedoms. Freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are protected. All people over age 18 are allowed to vote, and multiple political parties are allowed. The government has had some problems with making sure elections are free and fair.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information:Authoritarian governments are the most common form of government in Africa. Only nine governments are considered democracies. More than half of all countries in Africa have been ruled by a military dictatorship at one time or another. This is very common in Africa, where governments often switch from military to civilian leadership. Elections are often held, but they are not free or fair. The results announced may be fraudulent, or if the party in power loses, they often fail to hand over power peacefully. People have few democratic freedoms, such as freedom of speech, freedom of press, and freedom of assembly, and those that speak out or protest are often jailed or killed.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information:Both countries are democracies with a president at the head. In Kenya, the president is elected by all and shares power with a prime minister. In South Africa, the president is elected by the parliament. Both countries have a Bill of Rights and allow all political parties to participate in elections. They face different challenges, however. South Africa is dealing with a history of discrimination and inequality, while Kenya is trying to ensure that future elections are free and fair.

Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information: The government of Sudan has a history of instability and shifting between military and civilian rule. It is an authoritarian government, but in recent years, more rights are being allowed. In recent years, multiple political parties have taken part in elections, and a referendum vote was held in which voters decided to split the nation in two. Currently, the president holds most of the power, and a vice president was elected to represent the rights of those in the southern part of the state. Violence in the Darfur region is ongoing, causing significant loss of life. This is a country that is changing rapidly. People in Sudan have few democratic rights. There have been charges that elections are not free, nor fair. Opposition leaders to the ruling government have been jailed. There is little freedom of speech or freedom of press.