International community must continue to support African countries

The international community should continue to support African countries in efforts to make their governments more transparent, capable and responsible to the will of the people, Ambassador Ayo Oke has said.

Mr Oke, Head of Africa Section in the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, was speaking recently at a United Nations workshop on Promoting Democratic Transitions in Africa, held in Bamako, Mali.

“The Commonwealth stands ready to work with its member states in Africa to advance these objectives,” he said.

Mr Oke outlined the Commonwealth’s goals in Africa, which include building a healthy democratic culture; ensuring a constructive relationship between ruling and opposition parties; recognition by those in power of the limits on their power; a proper equilibrium between the executive, legislature and judiciary; a commitment to the reform and renewal of political parties, and for democracies that deliver by improving the lives of the people.

Since Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to fundamental political principles when they met in 1991, “the Commonwealth has been in the vanguard of promoting democracy through advocacy of democratic principles and practical action to help make them a reality in the 18 Commonwealth African states,” Mr Oke explained.

He cited the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, whose fundamental task is to assess the nature of any infringement of the Commonwealth’s political values and recommend measures for collective action from member countries, as the most tangible expression of this commitment.

In the 13 years since it was established CMAG has remained a unique body. Its authority to suspend or even recommend to Heads of Government that a member country be expelled is unparalleled by other international organisations.

“By having the courage to enforce adherence to these core democratic values, the Commonwealth has set itself apart and established a standard to which others now aspire.”

Click here for the full text of Ambassador Ayo Oke’s presentation

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