Democracy watch

A blow to democracy!

2009-03-18T00:11:00.000-07:00

The recent gunning down of Guinea Bissau president, Joao Bernardo Vieira is one epitome
of how many African governments have been plunged into bloody conflicts of unspeakable
atrocities as a result of greedy politicians and or corrupt Millitary officials. The entrenchment
of a culture of elimination in African politics has, since time immemorial, led to many a civil strife.
President Joao Bernardo, who was shot by unknown millitary officials on 2 March 2009 came to power through a bloodless coup in 1980. After his 19 year rein, he was toppled
and he went into exile in Portugal, Guinea Bissau's former cononial power. When he returned
from exile, he contested the presidential elections held in 2005, and emerged as a winner.
Shortly after the country's Armed forces Chief of staff, Gen Batiste Tagma na Waie was killed
in a bomb explosion, President Vieira was shot dead at his Palace. Gen Batiste had become
a very strong rival of President Vieira. The shooting of President Vieira was seen by many as
retaliation by Army officers who thought he was involved in the killing of Army Gen Batiste.
The period after the killings marked a period of relentless anger among Guinea Bissau's political divide. Closely observing the trends in Millitary regimes, it can be learnt that leaders who come to power by the use of Millitary machine, will at last be dethroned by the same Millitary power.
Dictators must not be executed. They must face the full wrath of the law, be punished and suffer while they are still alive.

2009-03-13T03:48:00.001-07:00

Why threatening our fledgling democracy?

2009-03-12T02:05:00.000-07:00

With the advent of a new South Africa in 1994, the country came under sportlight
as a beacon of hope for Africa. Apartheid was officially dead. The enhancement
of democracy was what the newly-elected Government was tasked to advance.
A decade after the birth of the Rainbow nation, we now witness a retroggressive
attempt to return back to the dark days of Apartheid. Shortly after the demise
of the Scorpions (South Africa's independent investigating and prosecuting authourity),
we heard some wayward and increasingly overzealous politicians shouting
that they were prepared to "kill for Zuma". Surprisingly, as it seems, they were surely
not prepared to die for anyone. The very same people who have become experts when it
comes to inciting public violence, are bankrupt of any good idea that leads to the promotion
of essential democratic values. They seem to be possessed with so strong an anti-democratic
spirit. The Media and the Judiciary has of late been at the receiving end of numerous threats
from these individual politicians who seem to be keen and determined to sacrifice the rule of law on the alter of self-aggrandizement. Let there be a renewal, by our leaders, of the same spirit
we had in 1994. Let us return to the reconciliatory tone that punctuated the Mandela era.

Is it time for Zimbabweans to celebrate?

2009-03-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

It still remains uncertain whether the new Government of National Unity GNU
will work to restore the lost fortunes of the Zimbabwean population.
Partly because the Ruling Zanu PF has always been too reluctant to
to share power equally with the opposition, and partly because the
opposition MDC has indicated many times that the GNU was short of
what they expected in a transitional arrangement. It is still
unclear whether the International community will be able to release
their funds to support the SADC mediated GNU in Zimbabwe.
Serious reforms are needed in Zimbabwe to restore Democracy and the rule of law.
Tough media laws must be repealed. Efforts must be exerted to uproot Corruption, Nepotism
and Elitism. This is a clarion call for the powers that be to liberalise the
tattered economy.

Let there be no exceptions in the creation and enhancement of demoratic societies.

2007-08-08T05:24:00.000-07:00

The transition and enhancement of democracy around the world has always been a thorn
in the flesh of all democracy loving people. Especially in Africa where the observation of the
rule of law remains a pipe-dream, there is need for action to be taken against rogue states.
There is an escalation in massive human rights abuses. Repressive governments have
been alowed to abuse power willy- nilly. The observation of people's rights by the state
must be non-negotiable. People must enjoy the rights that work as signposts of
democracy. The administration of International law must be transparent and ensure that
all dictators, tyrants, despots, war criminals are brought to justice without fear or favour.
Failure by many states to stick to the stipulations of international law renders it
laughable. Outposts of tyranny have been alowed to rule the roost unabated.
The infringement of people's rights, flagrant violation of international law clearly
spelt out in the universal declaration of human rights is an issue of concern.

Should Democracy sustain itself in Zimbabwe?

2007-08-02T23:57:00.000-07:00

Its unimpeachable that the institutions of Democracy are functioning undemocratically in Zim.
That there is need for robust methods of consolidating democracy is undebatable.
Since 1980, Elections have been held periodically in Zimbabwe but the people have
never experienced a free and fair election. Electoral laws have been skewed to
benefit Mugabe and his cronies. Mugabe also introduced a number of draconian laws
as an assault on the opposition and all voices of decent. How can the media operate
freely when there are laws such as the AIPPA that criminalise journalism?
The role of civil society and the opposition has been deeply clouded by the POSA
which requires police clearance for two or more people to have a meeting.
That means the opposition parties cannot hold rallies without police clearance.
The people of Zimbabwe have also been deprived of their right to demonstrate
against injustice.
The passing of countless -small pieces of legislation that infringe on the
rights of the masses has caused many civic organisations, private companies
and investors to close shop.
Democracy must be consolidated now in Zimbabwe through economic and
social justice. The liberalisation of the economy is also of more concern.
What matters is not only the availability of institutions of democracy but
the environment in which they are operating. Reason and rationale must
prevail over dogmatic machismo and political fiefdom.

Democracy threatened in zimbabwe

2007-08-01T23:42:00.000-07:00

Its not only baffling, but also mind-boggling that peace loving zimbabweans have
been subjected to countless, never ending and inextricably cruel methods of
totalitarian tyranny. Human rights violations and the abuse of power by the
Mugabe dictatorship have ascended to the rooftop, giving a blow to
democracy. Should the people of Zimbabwe continue to suffer under the
despotic regime of Mugabe? Should the international community continue
to watch as Mugabe continues to ride rough-shod on the people's shoulders? There is virtually no rule of law in Zimbabwe.
People's rights have seriously been curtailed. All voices of decent have been
systematically silenced. Mugabe's persona has become sacro-sanct
that any criticism of him is deemed criminal. The dictator must be
reined in, and all democracy loving people must call for a new zimbabwe that
demonstrates the basic tenets of democracy.