Constitutional Crisis: What It Means and How Africa Is Facing It

When a country’s government starts acting outside the rules written in its own constitution, the supreme legal document that defines how power is shared and limited. Also known as rule of law breakdown, it’s when leaders ignore courts, silence opposition, or change rules mid-game to stay in power. This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about who really holds authority when the system cracks open.

A constitutional crisis, a moment when institutions can no longer resolve disputes peacefully under existing laws often shows up when presidents refuse to leave office, courts are packed with loyalists, or parliaments are shut down. In Africa, this isn’t rare. Countries have seen elected leaders extend terms through sham referendums, security forces block opposition rallies, and judges face pressure to rule a certain way. These aren’t accidents—they’re calculated moves that erode trust in democracy. When the rule of law, the principle that everyone, including leaders, must follow the same laws disappears, people lose faith. And when that happens, protests, legal chaos, or even violence follow.

What’s happening now isn’t new, but it’s getting sharper. From judges being fired after ruling against the president, to election results being tossed out without explanation, the signs are clear. Some governments claim they’re fighting corruption or instability—but the tools they use are the same ones dictators have used for decades. The real test isn’t whether a country has a constitution on paper. It’s whether that document still means something when power is at stake.

Below, you’ll find real stories from across Africa where power clashes turned into legal battles, where citizens stood up, and where institutions either held firm or collapsed. These aren’t distant headlines—they’re living examples of what happens when the rules no longer protect the people.