Commonwealth showcases governance work in Africa at EU forum

Democracy and development are the "twin pillars of the Commonwealth's work in Africa", a senior Commonwealth Secretariat official has said.

"A strong and vibrant democracy is crucial for development," Ayodele Oke, Head of the Office of the Deputy Secretary-General, told a roundtable discussion on 'Building a Culture of Democracy in Africa' in Brussels, Belgium, last week.

"Development activities can only flourish under stable and secure conditions."

He stated that since 1994, the Commonwealth had intensified efforts to democratise all its members by encouraging or persuading member countries that were once governed by military or one-party regimes to adopt multiparty democracy.

Mr Oke said election observation was one of the many ways in which the Commonwealth encourages adherence to the democratic process.

"The presence of Commonwealth election observers has reinforced belief in the democratic process and served as an insurance against fraudulent practices and election rigging."

He said that the Commonwealth had been assisting in voter registration, designing and amending existing constitutions and strengthening of institutions that uphold democratic principles.

He cited the judiciary, parliament, independent electoral commissions, civil service, and offices of ombudsmen as well as non-governmental organisations as some of the areas where this work is taking place.

Mr Oke said that in recent years, the Commonwealth has demonstrated capacity for conflict prevention and resolution through the Good Offices role of the Secretary-General.

The European Development Days was organised by the European Commission to discuss development and governance aspects in African countries. Several African heads of government, including some from Commonwealth countries, attended the forum. Various publications from the Commonwealth Secretariat were displayed at exhibitions that ran alongside the forum.

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