More materials from 1996-1999

Chicago Radio

29 December, 1999
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Audio version: Chicago Radio, Worldview
Chris Fomunyoh speaks on recent events in Cote d'Ivoire

Los Angeles Times
28 December, 1999

Junta's Reform Pledge Lifts Hopes for Ivory Coast
Ann M. Simmons, Times Staff Writer

NAIROBI, Kenya - As life began to return to normal in Ivory Coast on Monday after a largely bloodless Christmas Eve coup, hope grew that there would be little domestic upheaval if the new military rulers kept their promise to restore democratic rule. Diplomats and analysts said the former French colony--experiencing its first-ever coup after years in which it was among Africa's most stable countries--might follow the example of Nigeria and Niger, where within the last year military regimes handed power back to civilians. <<read more...>>

National Public Radio
26 December, 1999
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Audio version: NPR, All Things Considered -
Cote D'Ivoire, interview with Chris Fomunyoh

The President of the Cote d'Ivoire, commonly known as the Ivory Coast, today fled the country in the wake of Friday's coup, leaving questions about the future of one of Africa's most stable countries. Chris Fomunyoh, regional director for East and West Africa at the National Democratic Institute (Washington DC), visited Cote d' Ivoire just last week, and says he too was caught by surprise by the takeover led by Gen. Robert Guie (Gay). <<text version: read more...>>

SDF North American Convention,
Washington DC
27 November, 1999

Keynote Address on "Democratization in Africa:
Prospects for the 21st century"

Chris Fomunyoh, Ph.D.
Needless to say, this convention is taking place a few weeks before the beginning of the next millennium; and so it is the most ideal time to take stock, to assess the past, reflect on the present and contemplate the future. This is the ideal time to look at our continent of Africa, to look at our cumulative struggle as small 'd' democrats, our contribution in ways big and small to the cause in a place dear to our hearts -Cameroon - and ponder upon how far we have come and how distant we still must travel. For this reason I felt it would be appropriate to share with you my thoughts on democratization in Africa and the prospects for the 21st century. << read more...>>

On the African Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS),
Dakar, Senegal
12 November, 1999

NDI's Fomunyoh Rates ACSS Initiative as Smashing Success
Jim Fisher-Thompson Washington File Staff Correspondent

The National Democratic Institute's (NDI's) regional director for Central, Eastern and West Africa has described the first session of the U.S.-African Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) as "a very valuable and productive exercise in bridge-building between two groups in Africa that have traditionally been at odds -- the military and civilians." Chris Fomunyoh, said, "I am rather optimistic that even the most skeptical individuals on both sides [military and civilian] now ...." << read more...>>

NewsWatch, Nigeria
June, 1999

They Came, They Observed
By Mudiaga Ofuoku

When observer groups first surfaced on the Nigerian electoral scene to witness the presidential election of June 12, 1993, Nigerians considered the idea an entirely novel one. Today it has grown to become an accepted feature of the country’s electoral process, with local observer groups also taking part in it. <<read more...>>

National Democratic Institute funds Abuja forum
30 April 1999

Nigerian Governors Meet Courtesy of US NGO's Support
Jim Fisher-Thompson, USIA Staff Writer

WASHINGTON - Newly elected state governors in Nigeria recently met to discuss issues of importance in the ongoing democratic transition thanks to funding from the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to self-governance training worldwide. Several Americans participated in the forum, held in the federal capital of Abuja, including: former governor of Pennsylvania Richard Thornburgh, and Lieutenant-Governor of South Dakota Carole Hillard. NDI's Regional Director for Central, East and West Africa Christopher Fomunyoh helped organize the gathering. <<read more...>

Washington Post Foreign Service
10 December, 1998

Gabon's Bongo Latest Strongman to Maintain Grip
James Rupert

Libreville, Gabon, Dec. 9 - Today's declaration of victory for President Omar Bongo extends a pattern in this year of presidential elections in West Africa: After nearly a decade of creeping democratization, the region's remaining Cold War-era strongmen are under pressure to retreat but are finding ways to adapt and hang on.
<<read more...>>

Los Angeles Times
9 December, 1998

Nigeria's Transition elections
ANN M. SIMMONS, Times Staff Writer

BUJA, Nigeria--International and domestic monitors on Tuesday praised the conduct of Nigeria's local elections last weekend but warned that some problems will have to be sorted out before state and federal voting early next year.
<<read more...>

CNN Transcrpit
28 March, 1998

Clinton's Visit to Africa: Hope for the Future

President Clinton's Africa trip is the first by a sitting U.S. president, in which he has visited the prison that held Nelson Mandela for 18 years and talked of the European slave trade on the African continent.
GUESTS: Chris Fomunyoh
BYLINE: Gene Randall <<read more...>

Cameroon Election, President's Victory Called a `Mockery of Democracy'
By James Rupert

According to the government and political party of President Paul Biya, Cameroon's voters overwhelmingly turned out this month to applaud his 15 years in power and elect him to seven more. According to virtually everyone else, Biya's proclaimed reelection is the Big Lie that deepens political frustration and nudges Cameroon toward the sort of violent upheaval seen recently across much of Central Africa.
<<read more...>>

Washington Post Foreign Service
29 June, 1997

African Coups Upset March of Democracy
By James Rupert

The past month's street fights for power in three African capitals underscore that this continent's saluted post-Cold War transition from authoritarian rule toward democracy remains at an early, embattled stage.
Pillars of smoke have risen over the capitals of the Congo Republic, Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic. Bands of men have fired rifles and rockets in and out of government buildings, declaring their right to rule. Westerners have rushed to pack suitcases and flee...<<read more...>>

The Washington Times
26 June, 1997

Africa Analyst Sees Growing Gap Between Continent's Rulers and its Ruled
by Toni Marshal

Christopher Fomunyoh is regional director for West Africa at the National Democratic Institute. He discussed the fighting and electoral problems in the Congo with reporter Toni Marshall... <<read more>>

The New York Times
January 11, 1997
ACCRA, Ghana

Despite Setbacks, Democracy Gains in Africa
by Howard W. French

In 1990 President Francois Mitterrand of France spoke enthusiastically of a "wind blowing from Europe that has begun to sweep Africa." The speech was widely credited with speeding up moves toward democracy afoot in many countries in the continent. <<read more>>

USIA
13 November1996

Women Playing Increasingly Larger Share in Election: Their participation often makes difference
by Charles W. Corey, USIA Staff Writer

Washington -- Women in the United States and Africa share many similarities when it comes to election issues and are rapidly becoming increasingly influential in deciding political races worldwide.
Anita Perez-Ferguson, president of the National Women's Political Caucus and Christopher Fomunyoh, regional director for West Africa at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), stressed that theme in a November 7 "Africa Journal" program, broadcast by the U.S. Information Agency. <<read more...>>

The New York Times
March 2, 1996
COTONOU, Benin

African Anomaly: An Election Up for Grabs
by Howard W. French

Wherever President Nicephore D. Soglo has gone the last few days, whether pressing the flesh in roadside campaign stops or dancing briefly during a festival in the coastal city of Ouidah, he has been eagerly greeted by supporters with cries of "five more years."<<read more>>