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 …
Tag: Democracy
Gender Equality is Not a Destination—It’s a Constant Rebalancing
November 6by Similoluwa Ifedayo Lately, I’ve been thinking deeply about gender inequality, equity, and equalit …
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Read moreLeveraging Youth Leadership for Strengthening Democracies and Youth Engagement and Participation
October 22by Jasmine Koria The Commonwealth Youth Forum in Apia, Samoa opened on October 21 with an engaging P …
Read moreElections 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 …
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 …
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 …
Politics in African countries are based on tribalism, writes Paul Odhiambo, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nairobi in Kenya, who argues for adherence to democratic practice. In moving toward general elections in Africa, leaders from different tribes come together to form coalitions or parties based on tribalism but not ideologies. They often convince citizens that their …
A prolonged election process created a state of tension for Kenya. Sunday Memba, 21, a Correspondent from Matete in Kenya, examines the core of the problem and suggests how to move forward. Chinua Achebe, the eminent African writer and critic, stated the problem on page one of his 1984 book, “The Trouble with Nigeria”. “The trouble …
Events and reports over the past two weeks have left Zimbabweans scrambling to sort fact from rumour, reports Kiyara Matambanadzo, 16, a Correspondent from Harare in Zimbabwe. The biggest question is what comes next. The unrest that had taken over Zimbabwe in the past few years came to a tumultuous head within the space of …
RCS Associate Fellow Julius Karl Fieve, 28, is one of the youngest people elected as an Assembly Member to represent his community at the District Assembly in Ghana. Michael Gyekye, 24, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Ghana, speaks with this rising young community leader. Michael Gyekye: Can you tell us something about yourself – family, education and …
Recently, Uganda’s media was awash with a bribery story involving top government officials. Badru Walusansa, 26, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kampala in Uganda, argues the story underlines the need for nation-wide commitment to fight corruption. The scandal happened after President Museveni had declared war against all corrupt bureaucrats in his government, and near the same time …
Corruption has been a major threat to the development of Africa, writes Kenneth Gyamerah, 27, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Kumasi in Ghana, who describes a new post Ghana has created to fight corruption. To build a more fair society where every child will have the opportunity to get education and accomplish their goals, corruption must be …