MEDIATRACNET
Recent political crises in Guinea and Mali portend grave danger to the effort towards consolidation of democratic governance in the West African region, the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Edward Amoako Asante, has warned.
Asante said in Accra at a ceremony organized by the UN Association of Ghana (UNA-Ghana) to mark the UN International Democracy Day that the developments were ‘particularly disconcerting as they represent the latest affront to the region’s effort toward consolidation of democratic governance in a region.
He said since 2002, the region has experienced similar disruptions in six member States across the region.
The ECOWAS Court President characterized the recent disruptions as an indication of a malaise with the region’s approach to multi-party democracy.
The normative underpinnings of the approach, he said, include zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government, abolition of tenure elongation beyond the two terms of office, the conduct of free, fair and credible elections as well as the scrupulous adherence to the separation of powers are under threat.
“As you celebrate the 2021 democracy day against the menacing shadow of the seeming unrelenting march of military adventurers to erode our democratic gains,’ the President told members of the Association.
An opportunity, he said, has been created for those with a role in nurturing the region’s cherished democracy to constitute themselves into a bulwark for its protection.
He challenged the 69-year-old Association to reflect on how it could leverage its network to contribute towards the effort to salvage the region’s democracy which require the collective effort of all the segments of the society as this provides a better assurance of success.
Asante spoke of the role of the ECOWAS Community Court in strengthening respect for the rule of law, accountability, regional peace and security through the exercise of its human rights mandate that was conferred by its 2005 Protocol.
“This mandate underpins a regional commitment to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms in all facets of life, as encapsulated in the 1991 Declaration of Political Principles and the 1993 ECOWAS Revised Treaty,” he emphasized.
The observance was celebrated on the theme: Role of UN Associations in Promoting Democracy, Human Rights And World Peace.
