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Coalition
government’s anathema to democracy- ICJ
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on 12 November
2008 deplored the emerging concept of coalition governments
in Africa as anathema to democracy and the citizens' right
to choose governments of their choice.
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In
his submissions to the 44th Ordinary Session of the African
Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) underway in
Abuja, Nigeria, ICJ Africa Director, Arnold Tsunga drew the
Commission's attention to the poor human rights situation in
Africa and the menace posed to democracy by coalition governments
vis-à-vis the trampling of basic freedoms of expression,
free media, association and assembly during election campaigns.
The judiciary, Tsunga said, was also compromised in playing
an independent role during elections because it has been emasculated.
The Geneva-based ICJ which seeks to implement international
law and principles that advance human rights, noted that elections
in Zimbabwe, Nigeria and Kenya had been marred by widespread
violence, extensive procedural irregularities, lack of transparency
and "substantial evidence" of fraud, voter disenfranchisement,
partisan electoral bodies and intimidation and harassment of
citizens, among other flaws.
"
The ICJ submits that while the formation of a coalition government
might be a necessary approach to save a nation from total anarchy,
the concept is an anathema to democracy and particularly the
fundamental right of citizens to freely choose their government," said
Tsunga.
Urging the Commission to adopt a resolution on democracy and
coalition governments and to insist on the full enfranchisement
of the African people ahead of next year's elections in a number
of African countries including South Africa, Tsunga said:
"
Elections held in an environment that suppresses the exercise
of free choice by the electorate invariably lead to contested
and discredited outcomes that threaten national cohesion."
A Zimbabwean government representative from the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs attributed the delays in announcement of the
March 2008 election results, and the date for the presidential
run-off election, to logistical constraints.
Addressing the Commission during the slot on statements by
state delegates, the Zimbabwean representative, Mr Nyakochwa
said reports of the army and police assaulting citizens during
elections were not ‘entirely true’ adding that
allegations had been made and that investigations were being
conducted.
On the exclusion of civic society organisations from the ongoing
SADC mediation to resolve Zimbabwe's socio-economic and political
crisis, he said it was a decision that had been made by the
political parties themselves. He hoped that the Global Political
Agreement signed by ZANU PF and the two MDC formations on 15
September 2008 would result in a solution to the political
impasse in Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, in its call for a resolution on democracy and coalition
governments, the ICJ said the resolution should urge African
governments to:
Invest sufficient resources and institute electoral systems
that facilitate the peoples of Africa to vote freely and determine
their leaders.
Respect and enforce the human rights articulated in regional
instruments governing the conduct of elections including the
2002 OAU/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic
Elections in Africa, the Economic Community of West African
States' (ECOWAS) Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance
adopted in 2001, and the SADC Guidelines and Principles Governing
the Conduct of Democratic Elections.
Not allow the emerging trend of negotiated governments of unity
to be an accepted method of determining national leadership
and that where a coalition government is established, this
should be a transitional measure to create an environment for
reforms leading to credible elections.
Ratify, domesticate and adhere to the African Charter on Democracy,
Elections and Governance.
Respect popular will, exhibit statesmanship and marshal the
dignity to handover power to a new leadership in the event
of electoral defeat.
For more information please contact:
The Assistant Programmes Officer
Koliwe Nyoni
Media Institute of Southern Africa- Zimbabwe Chapter
84 McChlery Avenue
Eastlea
Harare
Alternative email: koliwe@misazim.co.zw
Website: www.misazim.co.zw
Telefax:+263 4 776165/746838
Mobile:+263 11 639 682/+263 91 3 020 577
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