Presidential Interviews

As part of my dissertation research, I was able to interview 10 current and former African presidents on the topics of what motivates presidents and why some might step down when they don’t have to. The text of these interviews appear in their entirety in the appendices of my dissertation, entitled The Logic of Political Cessation: Social Esteem and Executive Tenure in Africa (2013, Yale University). In the hopes that these interviews will be enjoyed or used by others, they are made available here as well.


Interview with Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique.
December 10th, 2010.  Maputo, Mozambique.
Interview President of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano


Interview with Abdou Diouf, former President of Senegal.
April 14th, 2011.  Paris, France.
Interview President of Senegal Abdou Diouf


Interview with John Kufuor, former President of Ghana.
August 6th, 2010.  Accra, Ghana.
Interview President of Ghana John Kufuor


Interview with Quett Masire, former President of Botswana.
October 5th, 2010.  Gaborone, Botswana.

Interview President of Botswana Quett Masire


Interview with Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana.
December 7th, 2010.  Washington, DC, USA.
Interview President of Botswana Festus Mogae


Interview with Raimundo Pereira, former President of Guinea-Bissau.
January 19th, 2010.  Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
Interview President of Guinea-Bissau Raimundo Pereira


Interview with Henrique Rosa, former President of Guinea-Bissau.
January 20th, 2010.   Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
Interview President of Guinea-Bissau Henrique Rosa


Interview with Malam Bacai Sanha, the President of Guinea-Bissau.
January 19th, 2010.   Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.
Interview President of Guinea-Bissau Malam Bacai Sanha


Interview with Ahmadou Toumani Touré, the President of Mali.
July 4th, 2010.  Bamako, Mali.
Interview President of Mali Ahmadou Toumani Toure


Interview with Saye Zerbo, the former President of Upper Volta.
July 21st, 2010.  Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Interview President of Upper Volta Saye Zerbo