Maravi

Nonde calls for change of attitude towards democracy

Nonde calls for change of attitude towards democracy
Written by Moses Kuwema
Sunday, March 22, 2009 6:36:45 PM

UNION Network International (UNI) vice-president Joyce Nonde has said the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar shows a lack of understanding of democracy by African leaders. In an interview, Nonde observed that most African countries did not have systems that support democracy.

"If you look at our current situation here in Zambia, we still have a one party state in our Constitution, which is a sad development. We need to change our attitude towards democracy as Africans," she said.

Nonde said there were more power struggles as opposed to development in most African countries.

"People want to go to State House not for development but to fill their pockets. That is why you cannot tell whether there is democracy or not in most countries.

“Look at what happened in Kenya, Zimbabwe where there were disputes following the elections while [in] other countries, elections don't even take place," he said.

Nonde wondered what African leaders discuss at the African Union (AU) summits when the electoral systems in most counties were not perfect.

She said the AU should work towards helping to change the attitudes of African countries towards democracy.

"The AU should set standards for democracy because if we are not careful, what has happened in Madagascar will start happening in most African countries. So we should not just look at Madagascar but also look at our own countries. We need to have responsible opposition political parties and governments," she said.

Nonde said there was need to correct Zambia's electoral system before the 2011 elections. She said leaders should avoid being trivial and leave room for criticism.

"People need to allow criticism, but the problem with most African leaders is that they always want to be praised and they don't want to be criticized," Nonde said.

And Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) executive director Bishop Paul Mususu said the developments in Madagascar should be of great concern to everyone around the world.

Bishop Mususu said Madagascar was part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the AU, hence the need for people to be concerned.

Bishop Mususu wondered whether what had happened in Madagascar was a creation of those in power or there was discomfort among people.

He called on other leaders on the continent to be careful as they govern because people power was supreme. He said leaders needed to be sensitive to the people they governed.

"People's voice cannot be quenched but unfortunately in Madagascar much as there was people power, the military was also involved and this should be a source of worry," he said.

Bishop Mususu observed that leaders needed to be humble because people's voices mattered.

"I can underscore the fact that the last two elections we have had the people that have been voted into power did not have a majority votes and one would expect to see some humility on their part, but this is not the case," he said.

Bishop Mususu said the good thing about the Madagascar situation was the fact that someone resigned and this would never happen in Zambia.

"There is a resignation which is not a case here even when people have been confronted with issues," said Bishop Mususu.

Labels: DEMOCRACY, GOVERNANCE, JOYCE NONDE, MADAGASCAR, SADC, UNION NETWORK INTERNATIONAL

posted by MrK @ 6:36 PM