Violence between ethnic Uzbeks and Kyrgyz last June in the Kyrgyz cities of Osh and Jalalabad left 470 dead, thousands injured and 400,000 displaced. With the goal of deterring future violence, a delegation from Kyrgyzstan recently affirmed the government’s commitment to carry out the recommendations of an international commission to defuse tensions and promote reconciliation.

"Semi-presidentialism" — a constitutional form of government with a directly-elected president as well as a prime minister responsible to the legislative branch — is explored in a new book, Semi-Presidentialism and Democracy, co-edited by Sophia Moestrup, NDI senior program manager for Central and West Africa.

The book breaks new ground by offering a truly global review of semi-presidential countries, and examining their differences in operation, performance, impact and evolution.

Nigeria’s April presidential and parliamentary elections have largely been viewed as a step forward from the seriously flawed polls of the past, with much credit going to the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The INEC chairman, Dr. Attahiru Jega, discussed the accomplishments and challenges faced by the commission at a May 10 Washington, D.C., event organized by NDI along with the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

For the first time in Mauritania’s history, parliamentarians and business leaders have come together to discuss how to improve the economic and business climate of the North African country.

The two groups agreed to submit an official report to the Mauritanian National Assembly detailing issues and recommendations, and they plan to establish a commission promoting ongoing collaboration between government and the private sector.