Introduction: The Changing Governance Role of African Parliaments; M.A.Mohamed Salih Parliaments, Politics and Governance: African Democracies in Comparative Perspective; W.Hout Legislative Quotas for Women: Implications for Governance in Africa; A.M.Tripp Local Assemblies and Local Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa; D.Olowu Citizen's Support for Legislature and Democratic Consolidation: Comparative study with special focus on Mali; R.Doorenspleet Evolution of Parliament-Executive Relations in Zambia; J.Momba Longitudal View on Ghana's Parliamentary Practices; K.Boafo-Arthur People, Party Politics and Parliament: Government and Governance in Namibia; H.Melber Parliament and Dominant Party System in Ethiopia; K.Berhan Parliament as a Machinery for Political System Control: The Inner Workings of Bunge, Tanzania; V.Wang A Decade of Legislature-Executive Squabble in Malawi (1994-2004); B.M.Dulani and J. Kees van Donge South African Parliament's Failed Moment; T.Hughes Conclusions; M.A.Mohamed Salih