Party shift needs more preparation
THE past few weeks have witnessed heightened political activity in the country as rival political forces formulate new strategies in anticipation of a return to multiparty politics.<br>
THE past few weeks have witnessed heightened political activity in the country as rival political forces formulate new strategies in anticipation of a return to multiparty politics.
Amidst this euphoria, there is misconception that what is required to move the country’s democratisation forward is merely to open up space for political parties.
In my view, the country needs comprehensive reforms to overhaul a multiplicity of laws, besides the Political Parties and Organisations Act, to propel the process of democratisation — which stalled since 1995 — forward.
To encourage the growth of vibrant civil society organisations, they must be freed from state control. In this respect, it is necessary to dismantle the existing laws governing non-governmental organisations.
Media laws require urgent overhaul too. There is a whole set of laws relating to the media that must be repealed to create a free press.
The existing two-year ban on trade union leadership elections should be lifted. The ban — which was imposed due to speculation that some trade unionists led by Dr Sam Lyomoki wanted to turn the National Organisations of Trade Unions into a political party — effectively killed the trade union movement and undermined good governance. Besides, a review of the trade union laws is long overdue.
There is need to replace existing Movement-controlled women and youth councils with independent organisations.
While political parties are necessary, they are not enough for democracy and good governance. Many countries with multiparty political systems are sham democracies.
It is also dangerous to put too much faith in politicians. Many opposition and government politicians are self-seekers without conviction or principles.
In Malawi, a country with a budding multiparty system, it was an opposition MP who tabled a bill to amend the constitution to allow President Bakili Muluzi to stand for a third term.
Another opposition figure, Chakufwa Chihana, president of the Alliance for Democracy, endorsed Muluzi’s third term bid. In return, Muluzi recently appointed Chihana as second vice-president. Muluzi was later forced to drop the bid largely by human rights activists, donors, university students and churches.
In Uganda, there has been talk that some vocal opposition MPs benefited from Movement campaign funding.
One so-called opposition MP from northern Uganda admitted getting funding from Bidandi Ssali, but argued the money was not from the Movement. Most recently, a top Reform Agenda official conceded privately that a mole in the opposition camp had leaked vital secrets to the press about oppositions political strategy to field a single candidate. Many opposition politicians are actually on the Movement’s payroll! Ends
Amidst this euphoria, there is misconception that what is required to move the country’s democratisation forward is merely to open up space for political parties.
In my view, the country needs comprehensive reforms to overhaul a multiplicity of laws, besides the Political Parties and Organisations Act, to propel the process of democratisation — which stalled since 1995 — forward.
To encourage the growth of vibrant civil society organisations, they must be freed from state control. In this respect, it is necessary to dismantle the existing laws governing non-governmental organisations.
Media laws require urgent overhaul too. There is a whole set of laws relating to the media that must be repealed to create a free press.
The existing two-year ban on trade union leadership elections should be lifted. The ban — which was imposed due to speculation that some trade unionists led by Dr Sam Lyomoki wanted to turn the National Organisations of Trade Unions into a political party — effectively killed the trade union movement and undermined good governance. Besides, a review of the trade union laws is long overdue.
There is need to replace existing Movement-controlled women and youth councils with independent organisations.
While political parties are necessary, they are not enough for democracy and good governance. Many countries with multiparty political systems are sham democracies.
It is also dangerous to put too much faith in politicians. Many opposition and government politicians are self-seekers without conviction or principles.
In Malawi, a country with a budding multiparty system, it was an opposition MP who tabled a bill to amend the constitution to allow President Bakili Muluzi to stand for a third term.
Another opposition figure, Chakufwa Chihana, president of the Alliance for Democracy, endorsed Muluzi’s third term bid. In return, Muluzi recently appointed Chihana as second vice-president. Muluzi was later forced to drop the bid largely by human rights activists, donors, university students and churches.
In Uganda, there has been talk that some vocal opposition MPs benefited from Movement campaign funding.
One so-called opposition MP from northern Uganda admitted getting funding from Bidandi Ssali, but argued the money was not from the Movement. Most recently, a top Reform Agenda official conceded privately that a mole in the opposition camp had leaked vital secrets to the press about oppositions political strategy to field a single candidate. Many opposition politicians are actually on the Movement’s payroll! Ends