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kobo
United Kingdom
7765 Posts |
 Posted - 16 May 2013 : 23:58:33
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TWO OF FOROYAA EDITORIALS DEALING WITH EMPOWERMENT, ENFRANCHISEMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE 
1. POWER SHOULD NOT BE MYSTIFIED
"The advantage of having term limit in occupying the position of President is the fact that it helps to humble those who occupy the post. The power to control military arsenal and security personnel and their arms and decide on the life and death of people is too godly a power to be left in the hands of one person for life. It is always revealing whenever ex-presidents are invited to the inaugural ceremonies of newly elected Presidents in the United States.
This makes it very clear to the citizenry that power belongs to the Nation and people and not to the President. It makes it clear that the office of President belongs to the Nation and not the occupier. It leads the occupier to compare one’s practice with that of one’s predecessors.
This tends to leave a template in governance which ensures that the leadership is ever accountable to the people in and after office. Those leaders who leave a legacy during their tenure of office are invited by their predecessors to carry out missions on behalf of states. Others establish their own foundations to render public service.
Once assuming and leaving political office becomes a culture, power becomes de-mystified and not holding it does nothing to diminish one’s statue as a national leader who is as important as the substantive holder.
Gambia, in particular, and all African countries, in general, should aim to establish term limits to eliminate absolutism and impunity in governance caused by the desire of long serving rulers to stay in power without being restrained."
Written by Ousman Njie
SOURCE: Foroyaa News: Editorial
2. ARE GAMBIANS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA?
"WHEN GOVERNMENTS FAIL PEOPLE FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.
The situation in Syria is a byproduct of a failed government and a failed opposition. Wherever you find a civil war you would find differences in religion, ethnicity, sect and other parochial considerations. Where sovereignty of the people is entrenched there could be change but there could be no civil war since all the people irrespective of religion, sect, and ethno-linguistic origin are always united to unseat a government that decides to be engaged in misrepresentation and misrule.
In Syria, a political dynasty was built which led to the handing over of executive power from father to son. The consolidation of state power based on tribal and sectarian affiliation to the regime alienated other sects and tribes. Instead of the opposition calling for the unity of all sects and tribes to promote national unity and democratic change they each tried to nurture the grievances of each tribe and sect against the regime.
Consequently, when each of the factions became armed, sectarian violence became the order of the day thus leading to civil war which appears to have no end. Millions are affected and the Syrian state has now become militarized. It is no longer building or maintaining schools, hospitals, roads, and infrastructure or providing services. It is destroying hospitals, schools, roads. Hence the state is not doing what a state should do. It is dysfunctional. This is what is called a failed state. In actual fact, Assad’s power is no more but the power to replace it is yet to be. Hence the people live without any state protection of their lives and properties. Those who hold the guns rule as they wish. Assad had wasted time in negotiating for a way out and is now just waiting for the end to come. It is very clear that he has no place in a future Syria and is likely to run away when the situation finally crumbles. He did not know that power belongs to no single individual. It never did and it never will.
Power belongs only to the people. Hence the real invincible leaders are those who live according to the dictates of the people and leave before they earn the wrath of the people. State security and viability is not ensured by arms but by National unity under a democratic system of government which guarantees liberty, dignity and prosperity."
Written by Ousman Njie
SOURCE: Foroyaa News Editorial
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Edited by - kobo on 17 May 2013 01:12:48 |
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