PREZ MAHAMA WARNS OF RISING EXECUTIVE INTERFERENCE THREATENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
President calls for stronger judicial independence as global democratic standards decline
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that increasing executive interference and restrictions on civil liberties are weakening democratic governance and judicial independence across the world.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th anniversary celebration of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, Tanzania, President Mahama said institutions long regarded as pillars of democracy, justice and the rule of law are experiencing a troubling decline.
According to him, recent global developments reveal a pattern of executive overreach and a gradual erosion of legislative authority, which threaten the balance of power necessary for effective democratic systems.
“Judiciaries are no longer independent… We see executive overreach and a steady weakening of legislative independence,” President Mahama stated.
He further noted that fundamental freedoms, including the rights to speech, assembly and protest, are increasingly being restricted in many parts of the world, contributing to a growing loss of public trust in governments.
“Restrictions are being placed on freedom of speech, assembly and protest. There is a general loss of liberties and a sharp decline in public trust in governments,” he said.
President Mahama also highlighted the interconnected nature of modern global crises, pointing to the rapid spread of COVID-19 as evidence of how events in one region can quickly impact the rest of the world.
He urged African nations not to measure their democratic progress solely against Western benchmarks, stressing that the current global trend should serve as a wake-up call for countries on the continent to strengthen their own democratic institutions.
“The reality we see today should serve as a clear call to action,” he added.
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing international debates about the resilience of democratic systems and the need to safeguard judicial independence as a cornerstone of governance.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
