Theory of democracy and the African discourse: breaking bread with my fellow-travellers / Archie Mafeje -- Discourses on democracy in Africa / Peter Anyang' Nyong'o -- Democratic theory and democratic struggles / Mahmood Mamdani -- The economic crisis, adjustment and democracy in Africa / Kankwenda M'Baya -- Adjustment, political conditionality and democratisation in Africa / Thandika Mkandawire -- The international dimensions of the democratisation process in Africa / Eboe Hutchful -- Democratic transition in Africa: the challenge of a new agenda--concluding remarks / Jibrin Ibrahim