Funding political parties in emerging African democracies: What role for Norway?

Abstract

This report addresses the problem of foreign funding of political parties in newly democratised African states. The report identifies some problems associated with the development of political parties in Africa and indicate how funding may contribute to resolving these problems. Various models of foreign party funding that may act as models for the future Norwegian support programme are presented. Current involvement by Norwegian parties in party supporting activities in new democracies is assessed in the context of a more general discussion of foreign party funding. Lastly, if Norwegian funding for parties is introduced, we address some problems to be avoided and indicate an organisational model that may limit some of the inherently problematic aspects of foreign funding.