Constitutions must serve citizens, not political powers - Expert
A constitutional law expert from North-West University warns that constitutional reforms in Africa should prioritize democratic safeguards over the interests of political elites. The expert emphasizes the need for public participation and transparency to ensure legitimacy.
Why it matters
Constitutional stability is critical for democratic governance in developing nations, and this perspective provides a framework for evaluating political reform processes.
As debates over constitutional reforms intensify in parts of Africa, a legal expert from the North-West University has cautioned that changes to a country’s highest law should not be judged by the political interests they advance, but by their ability to protect democracy for future generations.
Advocate Mpho Justice Khoza, a constitutional law expert and lecturer at the North-West University (NWU)’s Faculty of Law, says recent developments in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe highlight the importance of strong safeguards when governments seek to amend constitutions.
Zimbabwe’s Parliament recently approved constitutional amendments that include extending presidential and parliamentary terms and removing direct presidential elections, while proposed constitutional changes in the DR Congo have triggered protests by opposition parties.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in