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Momodou
Denmark
11712 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Mar 2014 : 14:48:25
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THE LAW ON SEDITION IS MONARCHICAL AND NEEDS TO BE REPEALED IN ALL REPUBLICS
Foroyaa Editorial: Published on Friday, 14 March 2014
Those who are posing as champions of an anti colonial struggle after colonialism has decayed in the dustbin of history need to carry out reforms of their criminal codes inherited from the colonial order in order to bring them into conformity with republican and democratic values.
In a Republic the authority to govern is derived from the consent of the governed. This gives them the prerogative to express dissatisfaction with their manner of government and promote a change of government. Under a monarchy there are heirs and successors and no one has a right to call for a change of government. This is why laws on sedition was created by monarchs so that one could only plead for right to be done, but not expressed dissatisfaction to the level of calling for change of government.
What is expected of a Republic is to transform the values of national unity, respect among citizens and between citizens and their representatives into normative values that are internalised as a result of political socialisation through civic and political education at the national level and by political and civil organisations. In a Republic, intolerance is impermissible from government or opposing parties. Choice must be respected and consent sought in matters of political affiliation.
These are cardinal values that need to be internalised through socialisation and through measures to ensure truth and reconciliation.
Where such socialisation is taking place diversity would be managed, conflicts would be resolved through alternative dispute resolution measures, political leaders would see themselves as opponents instead of enemies and peaceful transfers of political offices would be the order of the day. This is the present that Gambia could have if those in power, their opponents and the citizenry at large have the political will to undertake the reforms to accommodate republican and democratic values.
This is the future that Gambia could have if it falls on the shoulder of another party that is given a future mandate to undertake the reform. Under a republic , the divine right to rule is debunked ; governance becomes mundane , leaders become servants who are respected when they display tolerance to their opponents and loved by their people and not revered as kings and rulers.
Source: Foroyaa
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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THE LAW ON SEDITION IS MONARCHICAL
