MINISTER of Justice, Wynter Kabimba, has observed that it is becoming increasingly credible that various forms of instability in Africa were being caused by forces outside the continent.
Mr. Kabimba noted that the school of thought which held that the causes of constitutional instability, for instance, were located outside Africa and driven by forces whose interests were not Africa’s interests, was firmly gaining ground today. He hoped the continent could acknowledge the importance of African unity and solidarity in addressing the problem.
Mr. Kabimba was speaking in his capacity as president of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP) at the opening of a two-day experts’ workshop on constitutionalism and the rule of law in Pretoria on Monday.
CAPP is a forum of political parties on the African continent who have come together in unity to pursue the objectives of achieving the goals of a prosperous and peaceful continent.
The workshop, which has drawn participants from over 20 African countries, is meant to brainstorm around expanding the African Union (AU) doctrine on unconstitutional changes of government and to engage stakeholders in promoting and implementing the African Charter on democracy, elections and governance.
Mr. Kabimba said the workshop represented one of the many platforms for actualising some of the essential aspects of mutual aspirations and the basis of the cooperation, which is constitutionalism and the rule of law, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the AU in 2013. The MOU aims to strengthen institutional ties and cooperation in delivering programmes and activities aimed at promoting democracy, good governance, human and people’s rights, constitutionalism, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Africa.
He hoped that while drawing attention to resolving the questions of unconstitutional change of government, popular uprising and all other aspects connected to the issues of constitutionalism and the rule of law, the main causes giving rise to unstable governments and the lack of respect for the rule of law would be candidly dealt with.
The Minister said it was gratifying to note that the workshop would provide opportunities for CAPP and other stakeholders to further explore areas of collaboration, synergies and complementation. It will also provide as an opportunity for the parties to interrogate ways of enhancing the capacity of organisations such as CAPP and the African Conference on Constitutional Court to enhance their effectiveness.
And South Africa’s Chief Justice, Mr. Mogoeng Mogoeng, called for immediate measures to address all factors that have been identified in order to improve on the rule of law in Africa.
Mr. Mogoeng, who is also vice-president of the African Conference of Constitutional Courts, said the Judiciary has to be insulated from interference from external forces if constitutionalism was to be guaranteed.
He said the continent should also be alive to the fact that the Judiciary had some corrupt elements that were compromising the drive to instil constitutionalism and the rule of law in systems of most African countries. He said the Judiciary should not only be independent but also be accountable to the people.
Mr. Mogoeng said the Judiciary in Africa has been sidelined from playing its part in ensuring the rule of law. He called for the urgent introduction of regional courts on the continent.
And International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) regional director, Ambassador Moorad Mustaq, urged the participants to brainstorm on whether the AU set aside its own rules when it readmitted Egypt after being suspended following instability in the country’s leadership in the last few months.
The workshop, which runs until 16th July, 2014, is organised by the AU’s Department of Political Affairs through International IDEA.
Mr Kabimba, practise what you preach, especially on democracy as you are part and parcel of the people who want to rob our country Zambia of it s democratic rights. Now where is the constitution.
Wynter Kabimba is such a Braggart full of nothing but Braggadocio……What a Shame….
Wynte ! Wynter ! Wynter ! This speech has just won me over.I didn`t know that this guy is this wise.I used to dislike him,its now water under the bridge from today onward.
KABIMBA,THE PROBLEM DOSE NOT COME OUT SIDE THE CONTINENT AS YOU PUT IT,BUT FROM THE SPIRITAL REALM WHERE PEOPLE LKE YOU HUNGRY FOR POWER ,GO TO SEEK DEMONIC POWERS.ARE YOU TELLING US THAT IT WAS THE FORCES OUTSIDE THE CONTINENT WHICH FORCED YOU TO GO NO BWANGA KU PARLIAMENT?
There he goes again..Winter,he just can’t seem to shut up.Africa needs to take responsible for its own failures..External Forces??What crap.Why do we allow ourselves to be influenced by the ‘external’ forces then..This man is trying too hard to be relevant..Well,not working,except in his own head.
@ Saulosi
New blood, same stale slogans for past 50 years.
What is new?
Nothing. Same old demagogic slogans recycled time and time again.
When shall we have somebody with new vision and aspirations which will reflect dreams and hopes of better tomorrow of young Africans living in 21st. century global society?
a small mind is easy to win
When is aids going to kill this B.A.S.T.A.R.D red lips kabimba,I am sick and tired of his rantings.
kekekeekekkeke red seriously no normal human being will listen to you only muppets without reasoning
Kabimba will blame anybody but himself and his badly goofing party.Has he ever heard of the word “introspection” ???
Take responsibility. Blame outside world for Africa’s instability? Who gains when there is chaos? such an *****ic statement.Africa is responsible for itself for all the wars right now we are fighting. There is no country that is currently being occupied by a foreign force. Solve the problems instead of pointing fingers. Right now our peace in Zambia is threatened because we don’t have a functioning president. Who gains in the Congo? who gains in Nigeria? Stop the know nothing speeches and solve problems.
Africa is responsible for its problems. Is it the external forces that enact bad constitutions, laws and regulations in Africa? Are external forces responsible for the nepotism, tribalism, appointment of cadres in key positions that require qualified and experienced people? Is it external forces that appointment bloated cabinets that drain national resources? Africa is poor because we have poor brains in our skulls! We need to wake up and move towards the level the external forces have reached.
@ Nkima….Very valid points,well stated.
@ Nkima, In fact if Africa were influenced by external forces, Africa would have been a better place to live. External forces are America, Britain, Germany, Japan, Sweden etc….Check the standard of living in these countries and levels of democracy! simply amazing! I wish Africa was indeed influenced by external forces!!!!
Nkima, I second that.
As expected, PF retards speak without thinking.
How do you relate the problems that PF is inflicting on Zambians to external forces? Isn`t this potential source of conflict?
How can you expect brainwashed failures with IQ equivalent to the size of theirs shoes to think?
Is it the same ‘external forces’ they voluntarily keep running to for kaloba?
This man is wrong blame yourselves you AFRICAN most of these problems Africa is facing Today its becoz of leaders like ba shikulu,you Kabimba and not external forces its internal forces until we CHANGE the kind of thinking selfishness you should be shameful before u talk
Dallo Dallo Dallo…and this is the man PF think can run Zambia? Run it to the ground maybe. SMH ati external forces…You need to wake up from your cold war era fog and take responsibility for your current actions. poor leadership such as yours is responsible for Africas instability. Poor Leadership na ku konda kaloba. Please step away from the presidency we dont need such backwardness in the driving seat.