Writing this – I am shaking my head. It’s a sad day indeed. The rule of law as we know it is in dire crisis globally, and its first effects are beginning to rear their head on this lovely continent.
According to the World Justice Project (I’ll paraphrase) – The rule of law means everyone, including government officials and institutions, is accountable to and under the law. This principle ensures that laws are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated, and are consistent with human rights. Essentially, it’s about creating a system where everyone is subject to the same legal standards and processes, regardless of their position or power.
But when law firms (those that uphold the law) are under attack and confronting a decision to compromise their role in order to survive an administration, or when Ghana’s chief justice is suspended without due process – or even when sweeping changes are made to the Hungarian constitution without public discussion – what then shall we say about the world and Africa’s capacity to remain steadfast in upholding systems of fairness and due process?
I could of course go on forever, but what is currently happening is an early warning indicator for all people who prefer not to get arbitrarily abducted at night, or who prefer laws that protect their businesses and private properties to start holding conversations and implementing programmes that will protect the rule of law.
What are you doing everyday to protect a healthy socio-political, economic and legal landscape?
