Declaration commits to bolstering democratic resilience
Mompati Tlhankane | Tuesday July 12, 2022 06:00
The three-day international summit on constitutionalism and democratic consolidation in Africa was held at Avani on July 6-8 and is amongst others meant to counter the global trends of democratic backsliding and strengthen support for constitutional term limits.
The summit provided delegates with an opportunity to deliberate and exchange views on constitutional rule, democracy and good governance.
Presenting the declaration following the successful Gaborone summit, Director-General of Ethics and Integrity from the Ministry of State President, Beaulah Mguni said as the signatories they have committed to consolidating constitutionalism and bolstering democratic resilience.
She said they will add their voices to efforts in favour of respecting and restoring term limits, constitutional rule, and the rule of law as vital ingredients for peace and stability across Africa. Mguni further indicated they will amongst others support ethical leadership and thriving societies.
“We the participants of the Gaborone summit acknowledged that African citizens support constitutionalism and presidential term limits,” she said.
“We applaud former African heads of state that have demonstrated commitment to upholding democratic values and term limits and continue to actively engage in good office as mediators and facilitators in response to a constitutional crisis and recent military coups in parts of the continent.”
She said a growing number of citizen-led movements have emerged in support of constitutionalism and term limits through the deployment of innovative strategies that foster peaceful collaboration across boundaries.
Mguni added they commend the peaceful transfer of executive power through credible and inclusive elections in Africa that have strengthened democratic practice and institutions.
Mguni disclosed they have noted with concern that in recent years the democratic trend across the continent has shifted from one of democratic expansion and consolidation to one of autocratic resurgence and democratic decline.
She said there is regret that the heart and democratic advances of the early 1990s are being undermined by authoritarian leaders and military regimes that shrink political space.
Mguni said in the end authoritarian leaders exacerbate social divisions, disrupt economic developments, and challenge constitutional norms to maintain their hold on power.
She pointed out that they regret that efforts in many countries to strengthen the rule of law, social justice, and national reconciliation have been rolled back with potentially dire consequences for vulnerable populations.
She said they urge regional economic communities to formulate legal frameworks that strengthen presidential term limits.
“We regret that reluctance by some leaders to adhere to the term limits denies youth opportunities for their participation in the peaceful and orderly renewal of political leadership and alternation of power,” she said.
For his part, head of Political Science at the University of Botswana, Kebapetse Lotshwao said as universities, they don’t just want to be academics but they also want to be practical.
He said the outcome of the summit in the form of the declaration will guide leaders, the youth, and institutions like political parties. Lotshwao added Africans and everyone who believe in democracy have a journey to make.