In the early 1990s, the African political landscape was liberalised and multiparty elections were held in various regions of the continent. However, from the mid-1990s onwards, power began to become concentrated in the hands of a few ruling elites. Elections became mere theatrical displays and were held neither regularly, fairly or freely. Using exploratory research methods and system theory, Kasahun Woldemariam examines how and why this was able to happen.