International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VI, June 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

 The Role of Opposition Political Parties in Enhancing Good Governance: A Case of Selected Countries in Africa

Chebii Zephaniah Kiprono
SSchool of Education and Social Science, Department of Humanities and Social Science Education, Alupe University College (Constituent College of Moi University), Po Box 845 (50400) Busia – Kenya

Abstract: -This article focuses on opposition political parties in enhancing good governance. It proceeds to demonstrate the potential of opposition political parties in Africa. It demonstrates the extent to which opposition political parties can promote a culture of good governance, taking several major opposition political parties and events as cases for analysis across the African continent. A desk review of various critical literatures from selected African countries on the topic was undertaken to provide comprehensive understanding. This paper provides a discussion to insights on the role of opposition political parties in enhancing good governance; holding governments in place accountable; serving as a credible alternative to the ruling government; promoting and stimulating debates in parliament; training ground for future leaders; commitment to transparency and capacity building among others. However, in most African countries, being a member of opposition party is a dangerous pursuit due to the harassment, imprisonment, press censorship and the murder of opposition politicians by those in power; as a result, this has curtailed opposition’s performance of its ideal functions. The article concludes that comprehensive policy framework should be undertaken in understanding and appreciating the potential role of opposition political parties in Africa and detail the measures that can allow for stronger parties to have a more significant role in promoting good governance in the 21st century and moving forward.

Keywords: Opposition, Governance, Africa.

I. INTRODUCTION

Good governance goes beyond the power of the state or the strength of political will to entail a meaningful partnership between the ruling party and the opposition political parties. In fact, Rakner & Nicolas (2009) argues that opposition political parties and their position in the national legislature is a central component of any strategy of democratization and good governance. Kadima (2006) posits that a political party is a structured association of people working together to compete for political office and promote common policies. Since the collapse of authoritarian political and economic regimes of East and Southern Europe in the enddecades of the twentieth century and the subsequent spread of neo-liberal democracy, it provided great political momentum in the world of democracy (Sulaiman, 2007).