Africa’s Government
January 21, 2011
Republic of Kenya
Republic of South Africa
Republic of Sudan
Warm-Up: Let’s Review Before We Go
Any Further!!!
Directions: Match the definitions with the form of government.
1.) Unitary
a.) loose alliance
2.) Confederation
b.) central gov’t has all the power
3.) Federal System
c.) central gov’t divides the power
Directions: Match the type of government with the correct
descriptions.
1.) autocracy
2.) oligarchy
3.) democracy
a.) control rests with a small group
b.) the people hold supreme power
c.) one leader exercises total control
Let’s Check Our Answers!!
Directions: Match the definitions with the form of government.
1.) Unitary
a.) loose alliance
2.) Confederation
b.) central gov’t has all the power
3.) Federal System
c.) central gov’t divides the power
Directions: Match the type of government with the correct
descriptions.
1.) autocracy
2.) oligarchy
3.) democracy
a.) control rests with a small group
b.) the people hold supreme power
c.) one leader exercises total control
What Do We ALWAYS Do Before Discussing
New Standards and Elements?
Yes, we unpack the standards and
elements!
Create an organizer like the one you see below.
Nouns:
Verbs:
Standard(s):
Element(s):
Be able to do:
Create an Essential Question:
Activities to help master standards:
Standards and Elements
SS7CG2: The student will explain the
structures of the modern governments of
Africa.
a.) Compare the republican systems of
government in the Republic of Kenya and
the Republic of South Africa to the
dictatorship of the Republic of Sudan,
distinguishing the form of leadership
and role of the citizen in terms of voting
and personal freedoms.
Standards and Elements
SS7CG2: The student will explain the
structures of the modern governments of
Africa.
a.) Compare the republican systems of
government in the Republic of Kenya and the
Republic of South Africa to the dictatorship of
the Republic of Sudan, distinguishing the form
of leadership and role of the citizen in terms of
voting and personal freedoms.
Nouns: underlined
Verbs: bold
Words To Know




Republic-Involves the government using and abiding by
the constitution heavily. Personal rights are respected
and cannot be taken away.
Constitutional republic-a state where the head of
state and other officials are elected as representatives of
the people, and must govern according to existing
constitutional law. Also, powers are separated. (Ex.
U.S.A.)
Head of state-the chief public representative of a
country who may also be the head of government
(President, Prime Minister, etc.)
President- chief executive officer of a government; also
the head of state.
The countries of Kenya, South Africa,
and Sudan have very different
government systems today. Though
all 3 are described as “republics,” the
reality is very different in each
country!
Create a Graphic Organizer
Like the One You See Below
Country
Republic
of Kenya
Republic
of South
Africa
Republic
of Sudan
Type of
Government
Head
of
State
Who
Can
Vote
Degree of
Personal
Freedom
for
Citizens
Year of
Independence
from Colonial
Rule
Let’s Discuss….the Republic of
Kenya


Type of Government: Republic, with one-house
legislature called the National Assembly. Has 3 branches
of gov’t--executive, legislative, and judicial.
Head of the State: Kenya had a presidential form of
democracy until the election of 2007. The position of
prime minister was established. The president is the
chief of state and the prime minister is the head
of government.

Who can vote: All citizens 18 years of age or older.
Republic of Kenya Cont’d


Degree of Personal Freedom for
Citizens: Freedoms are written in the
constitution. The new constitution
guaranteed many freedoms– freedom of
expression, freedom of movement, and
freedom from discrimination.
Year of Independence from Colonial
Rule: Kenya became independent from
Great Britain in 1963.
Checking For Understanding
Stand Up/Sit Down

If the statement below is true, STAND UP!
If the statement is false, SIT DOWN! Try
not to peek at your notes……
Kenya has a president and prime
minister.
Now, Let’s Discuss..the
Republic of South Africa



Type of Government: (Parliamentary
democracy) Republic, with a two-house National
Assembly . Has 3 branches of gov’t– executive,
legislative, and judicial.
Head of State and Chief of State: President
elected by the National Assembly. President
answers to the National Assembly and may only
serve two five-year terms.
Who can Vote: All citizens 18 years or older
Republic of South Africa Cont’d
Degree of Personal Freedom for
Citizens: (numerous freedoms)
 The constitution ensures equality before
the law and prohibits discrimination.
 It guarantees the right to life, privacy,
property, freedom, and security of the
person, and freedom of speech, religion,
assembly and association.
 It prohibits slavery and forced labor.
Checking For Understanding
(Face-to-Face)
Grab a Partner: Someone in your group
If you and your partner think the statement
is true, face each other. If you and your
partner think it’s false, turn your backs to
each other!
South Africa’s president can serve
three 5-year terms.
Finally, Let’s Discuss..the
Republic of Sudan


Type of Government: coalition
government run by an alliance of the
National Congress Party (NCP) and the
Sudan People's Liberation Movement
(SPLM).
Head of State and Head of Gov’t:
President
(Current president, Omar al-Bashir is considered a dictator)

Who can vote: Citizens 17 years or older
Republic of Sudan Cont’d


Degree of Personal Freedom: Citizens
have real few constitutional freedoms
unless they are associated with the
National Congress Party. Most government
positions are appointed.
Year of Independence from Colonial
Rule: In 1956, Sudan became
independent from Egypt and Great Britain.
A Little Background Info. On
Sudan



Number #1 on the list of worst dictators is
Sudan’s current president, al-Bashir.
Taking power in 1989, al-Bashir and his
regime abolished the existing government,
suspended the Constitution, restricted
freedom of press, and arrested prominent
politicians.
The citizens DID NOT vote for al-Bashir;
he used his military force to become
dictator.
Checking For Understanding
Directions: Fill in the chart below describing the
governments of Kenya, South Africa, and Sudan.
Kenya
Form of
Leadership
Is leader
elected
fairly?
president
yes
yes
Sudan
dictator
yes
Can citizens
vote freely?
Personal
Freedoms
guaranteed
South
Africa
Closing
3-2-1
3- republican countries we’re currently
studying
2- facts about Sudan’s government system
1- question you still have about one of the 3
republican countries.