A Blackened Bequest: The Role of African Union in Africa's Democracy

A democratic State is one whose citizens enjoy all the rights and fundamental freedom within its territory. These rights include the right to participate in elections undertaken periodically to elect their representatives. The election is a restatement of the essential rule of party autonomy in self determination. A party (citizen) has the right to make free and willing choice of the government he or she desires and that such a choice so made informed by his/her criteria and needs demands the greatest of deference. The Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU) imparts an onerous responsibility to the AU to ensure that democracy thrives within the continent. The AU must ensure that democratic exercises in its member States includes elections conducted in a manner that reflects the international standards of free and fair elections. It has a duty also to ensure it is through such elections that a legitimate government attains or retains power. Any government otherwise established would be unconstitutional. This book critically analyses the principles established within the AU in advancing democracy and dealing with elections related conflicts in Africa.

Autorentext

Akida is a lawyer holding an LLB Degree from Kenyatta University School of Law, Kenya. He is currently undergoing Advocates Training Program at Kenya School of Law in Nairobi. He also holds a Program in Comparative Media Law & Policy award (Oxford University,2013). Akida has researched and written extensively in the area of electoral law.