Influence of Religion on Politics and Legal Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa

Augustine Edobor Arimoro and Abba Amsami Elgujja

Chapter 13 in Research Handbook on Global Governance, 2025, pp 280-297 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines the influence of religion on the politics and legal systems of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It explores how, even in the twenty-first century, religious beliefs and practices continue to shape political discussion and law in the region. The study shows that religious beliefs and practices play a key role in governance and how laws are made and enforced in most SSA countries. The main argument of the chapter is that religious leaders of the two main Abrahamic faiths, namely Christianity and Islam, impact public policy as well as the electoral process. The chapter finds that, in some cases, religion has impeded the growth of the democratic process in SSA countries. It concludes that religion has been a powerful force in the political and legal systems of SSA countries, and its influence is likely to remain strong in the years to come. The chapter recommends the positive use of religious instruction to strengthen democracy in the SSA region.

Keywords: African traditional religion; Christianity; Democracy; Islam; Religion; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781789906325
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