Is "universal" democracy soluble in the magma of fusing identities found in most African countries? In states fractured by ethnic, regional, religious and ideological divides, does "one man, one vote" really signify democracy? In theory, electoral processes serve to pacify power struggles. In Africa, elections too often create violent tensions. Can we go on denying this reality? In the end, we need to recognize the urgency of a debate about whether or not to take identity into account in legal and constitutional matters.