Impeachment proceedings are a rarity in the African context. This is not surprising given the history of executive dictatorships, all-powerful one-party states and a subservient media. With the dramatic change in the constitutional landscape of the 1990s, attention should be focused on the adequacy of the presidential removal provisions in African constitutions. This article therefore undertakes a critical review of the relevant provisions in anglophonic African states. It argues that they are unsatisfactory in several respects and calls for them to be thoroughly revised.

This article examines the right to self-determination and the various constitutional mechanisms that can be used to accommodate cultural diversity. Using the South African and Ethiopian constitutions as case-studies, it concludes that it is possible to respect the principle of equality and the right to identity of "population groups" in a way which will pre-empt calls for external self-determination, and it suggests that the mechanisms used in these two countries may serve as a model elsewhere in Africa and beyond.

This article examines a recent attempt to promote sustainable forest management in Ghana through the Timber Resources Management Act, 1997. It places the Act in the context of massive deforestation and analyses its provisions imposing social and environmental conditions on the timber industry and giving a greater role to local communities. It warns that excessive government intervention may undermine the industry and the important part it plays in Ghana's economy.

This article examines the Ugandan Land Act, 1998, which seeks to transform land relations throughout the country both by settling once and for all the vexed question as to the relative rights of “owners” and “tenants” of mailo land, and by providing procedures whereby persons may apply either for certificates of customary ownership or for freehold titles to their land. While the Act recognizes that in some areas it may be more appropriate for land to be held communally, it is the long-term aim that most land should be held on individual freehold title. However, the negotiability of such a title is undermined by a variety of provisions designed to protect customary rights.

The practice of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion has been to insist that in contracts for the transfer of technology involving Nigerian parties on the one hand and foreigners on the other, Nigerian lawmust be chosen as the law governing the obligation of the parties under the contract. This article critically examines the legality and relevance of this approach and considers in particular the relevant legislation, the doctrinal bases of choice of law and the practical implications of the choice of Nigerian law in the context of its legal development. The article concludes that the current position needs to be reviewed in that the current approach may ultimately prove harmful to foreign investment and technology in the country.

The laws of Cape Verde are unusual in that the islands were uninhabited prior to the arrival of the Portuguese and their legal system. The extent to which Capeverdean law is and is likely to be influenced by Portuguese law is considered. The article concludes that whilst some original legal solutions have been developed in Cape Verde, its limited legal resources and the continuing close ties with Portugal will remain but this should be seen as a strength rather than a weakness of the legal system.

For Africa, the launch of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education represents an invaluable opportunity to help transform human rights ideals into reality. The article assesses the key characteristics of this strategy and its viability in the African context. It highlights current constraints on implementing the Plan of Action and suggests some solutions.

The problems of the absence or infrequency of states parties reports to the African Commission and the inadequacy of many that are submitted needs to be addressed. At the 25th session of the African Commission, South Africa presented its initial report. This process before, during and after the examination of the report is discussed and provides both encouragement for states to comply with their reporting obligations under the African Charter and useful lessons for states wishing to improve the quality of their reports.

Section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996, provides:

“Everyone has the right

(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and

(b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that

(i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation;

(ii) promote conservation; and

(iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.”

The Nigerian Law Reform Commission has recently published a Report on the Reform of the Evidence Act. This was in response to a government directive to “review and reform our Evidence Act to ensure that its application more effectively facilitates the dispensation of justice in our courts”. The Report notes that the Evidence Ordinance was based on Stephen's Digest of the Law of Evidence and on the common law of England as it was in 1943. Understandably, the Report recognizes that the law of evidence had become outdated, especially in view of technological advances. As it notes:

The new Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came into force with effect from 29 May, 1999, the date of the military handover to a democratically elected civilian regime. The document is based on the 1979 presidential constitution with some amendments and provides that Nigeria shall be a Federation made up of 36 States and a federal Capital Territory.

The Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 1998, and its two amendment Acts passed in 1999 represent a major effort on the part of the South African authorities to combat the rapid growth in organized crime, money laundering and criminal gang activities both nationally and internationally. The Preamble to the 1998 Act provides a useful background. It states that because it is:

“usually very difficult to prove the direct involvement of organised crime leaders in particular cases, because they do not perform the actual criminal activities themselves, it is necessary to criminalise the management of, and related conduct in connection with enterprises which are involved in a pattern of racketeering activity.”

In Zimbabwe, the initials “POSB” are well known as the acronym for the Post Office Savings Bank. These initials also came to symbolize a major step towards the development of a more acceptable security law with the publication of the Public Order and Security Bill (POSB). According to the Memorandum accompanying the draft legislation, it would

The applicant, a distinguished public figure and former president of Zimbabwe, had been charged with a number of serious sexual offences, and the matter had attracted extensive coverage in the media. At the start of his trial it was argued that, as a consequence of the adverse pre-trial publicity to which he had been subjected, he would not receive a fair trial in accordance with section 18(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 1979, and that, therefore, a permanent stay of proceedings should be ordered.