Honduras Show The Way

Manuel Zelaya, president of Honduras is removed from power and forced out of the country to Costa Rica. He has called on his countrymen for ‘peaceful resistance’ to bring him back to power and refers to himself as ‘victim of kidnapping’. Zelaya defied the country’s Supreme Court and attorney general not to go ahead with a referendum aimed at extending his stay in power because the constitution bars changes to the President’s single term of office. Some powerful figures within Zelaya’s party opposed the vote. His supporters argue that he has the country on course for the good of Hondurans and needed more time to accomplish his agenda. His approval rating is below 30%.

Mamadou Tandja, president of the republic of Niger tell Nigerians he is assuming sweeping emergency powers because the country’s constitutional court has rejected a review of a decision by another court which declared his quest to continue in power thorough a referendum illegal. Tandja dissolved parliament about a month ago when members questioned his authority. Some countries and Niger’s donors have expressed concern about the direction the president is taking the country. The opposition has called for civil disobedience. The president’s supporters contend a good measure of growth has been achieved under his leadership and has earned him the right to continue in office. Tandja’s approval rating is nothing to talk about.

Democracy is defined as government of the people, for the people, by the people. It recognizes all talents in a country. Democracy rejects any doctrine which hints at current presidents being the repository of knowledge. That is why there are the different arms of government (separation of powers) with checks and balances; a key in the working of democratic institutions. The opposition in a democracy has a role in governance.

It is sad to say that in all cases, these constitutional usurpers enjoy a certain amount of support from a section of the citizenry. The group of home town pals, some illiterate and ignorant folks, the self seeking individuals and the intellectually bankrupt who will always find a way to legitimize such crimes. These actions/inactions continue to stifle democratic growth in the third world. Are such leaders any different from the military who take power through coup d’état?