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Tag: Democracy


Technology is booming, but is not equally available to all citizens. Musa Temidayo, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria, looks at bold new technology that connects people to services, increases accountability and manages scarce resources. The ubiquitous existence of technology, in my opinion, has a potential to fundamentally transform the delivery of public services in …

“Looking at technology to boost governance” Read More »

An independent judiciary is one of the pillars of democracy, but Badru Walusansa, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, points to concerns that under-funding and lack of monitoring are factors in corruption that undermine the judiciary and its essential role.  The 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda recognizes the need for the judiciary …

“The Judiciary must be free from corruption” Read More »

The president of the USA visited Saudi Arabia on his recent international mission. Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya, looks at what that visit might mean for future relations between the two countries. Following the omission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from US President Donald Trump’s infamous executive order limiting …

“Trump’s historic visit to Saudi Arabia” Read More »

The arrest of an opposition leader made headlines around the world, but McPherlain Chungu, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Zambia now studying in India, examines whether the so-called crisis is a distraction from other serious political issues. When the news broke that the leader of the main opposition, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, was brutally arrested and …

“Political ‘crisis’ is a distraction from big issues” Read More »

Ghana’s judicial system has been rocked by investigations into corruption, writes Michael Gyekye, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, who examines the legacy and challenges facing the newly-installed Chief Justice. On 19 June 2017, Ghana swore into office only the second female Chief Justice in the country’s history. A former President of the African Court …

“New Chief Justice faces a tough job” Read More »

Reading history gave Jake Elson, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bunbury in Australia, insight into a political and social trend that he argues could threaten the democratic progress of past generations. Not long ago, I began reading Zimbabwean politician David Coltart’s book The Struggle Continues. Whilst I am only at the beginning, it provides a …

“Taking notes on the return of jingoism” Read More »

The media’s job is to challenge institutions on behalf of the public interest. But Aisha Anne Habiba, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Mombasa in Kenya, raises concern about restrictions on media curtail that ability. Media houses in Kenya are facing increasing pressure from ordinances that interfere with the concept of media freedom. Though Kenya has …

“Censorship as antithetical to public interest” Read More »

Elections are a crucial part of a healthy democracy, but Angelique Pouponneau, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from the Seychelles, raises the issue of how we should consider the environment during an election campaign. The pinnacle of a democratic country is a constitution that makes provision for people to decide the direction of their country through …

“Facing the environmental cost of democracy” Read More »

A bold decision by the Supreme Court of Kenya offers lessons for the judiciary in other countries, writes Badru Walusansa, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda. The Supreme Court ruling in Kenya that led to the nullification of President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta’s election victory provides key lessons on how an independent judicial system …

“Emulating Kenya’s judicial independence” Read More »

International election observers praised the handling of Kenya’s August election, but the Supreme Court later annulled the results. Folmi Yohanna, 28, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Bauchi State in Nigeria, looks at what that means for future election observer missions. Results of Kenya’s general election in August 2017 indicated incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta was re-elected with …

“Observer missions in election monitoring” Read More »