Taking the Law into their Own Hands

Bruce Baker, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, School of International Studies and Law, Coventry University, UK

• Contents: Introduction. Lawlessness and Democracy in Africa: The importance of the rule of law in democracy; The construction of attitudes towards the law. The Army Takes the Law into its Own Hands: The Ugandan peoples defence force and the Northern rebellion; The Senegalese army and the Casamance secessionists. The Police and State Militia Take the Law into Their Own Hands: The Mozambican national police and crime; Anambra state vigilante service (Nigeria) and crime. The People Take the Law into Their Own Hands: Vigilantes and crime in South Africa; East Africa’s vigilantes and cattle rustling. The Implications for Democracy: Sustaining democracy in a context of lawless law enforcement; Bibliography; Index.

’This book focuses on a vital and under-researched aspect of politics. It explores the relationship between law and order and the maintenance of democratic structures in an informed and lively manner, raising crucial and important questions over the consolidation of democracy.’ Professor Roy May, Coventry University, UK ’Bruce Baker has provided an original and superbly detailed analysis of the alarming collapse of the rule of law in much of Africa - a collapse which threatens to undermine the essential fabric of democracy on that continent, and to collapse the essential link between citizens' rights and obligations. This book will demand the attention of social scientists and human rights activists alike.’ Professor Roger Southall, Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa