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BY WEALTH DICKSON OMINABO

Democracy in West Africa is in crisis, it is threatened by insecurity, human rights violation, digital repression, electoral fraud, institutional weakness and state capture. The region is becoming a flourishing ground for unconstitutional transfers of power, compounding the security challenges of the region. Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea are now governed by military leaders and ECOWAS has for the last two years been searching for a sustainable solution to the political impasse in the countries.

At the foundation of the issue of democratic reversals is the crisis of governance. The inability of states to function effectively; the lack of capacity of institutions to carry out their functions, and the inability of political leaders to safeguard and protect the lives and properties of citizens are also seen as a major threat to the survival of democracy. Peace and security are the primary responsibilities of a state, and the governments relevance is to the extent to which it can guarantee the basic rights of the people. The crisis of governance is better explained in the context of the current reality in many countries, where citizens are daily confronted with miseries such as poverty, unemployment, insecurity and hunger. This has created a trust deficit between the government and the citizens. Trust is the threshold upon which the legitimacy of a government is built and sustained and the deficit of trust portends a crisis of legitimacy.

Democratic sustainability is tied to adherence to democratic principles which include the rule of law, separation of powers, credible elections, access to justice, equality and inclusive governance. These virtues help to reinforce the wheel of governance and maintain the state on the path of stability and national cohesion. Dictatorial instincts by political leaders have made many citizens lose faith in democracy, making citizens resort to the search for hope by all means even outside the constitutional democracy. In Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, citizens trooped out to the street to celebrate when democratic governments were overthrown. In some instances like Mali, civil society groups and political party leaders were reported to have endorsed the actions of the putschist.

ECOWAS and the crisis of governance

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is threatened with legitimacy and governance crises this impacts its ability to deliver on its mandate and enforce its protocols. Democracy and security are major areas of interest for ECOWAS. Regrettably, the region has been a melting pot for insecurity and a flashpoint for democratic decline in recent years. Part of the challenge lies in the lethargy of presidents from member states to uphold democratic principles in their countries. Another factor lies in the absence of strong institutions in many countries which has made many presidents manipulate the state institutions for their interests.

The inability of ECOWAS leaders, especially those within the ranks of the authority of heads of state and government, the highest decision organ of the body comprising serving presidents to enforce its laws and protocols, has created a crisis of governance for ECOWAS. In recent times, most presidents of ECOWAS nations have defaulted on ECOWAS protocol on democracy and good governance through electoral malpractice and tenure elongation.

Some leaders have also captured democratic institutions in their countries subjecting state institutions to act according to their whims and caprices. President Alpha Condes decision to seek a third term has always been cited as the major reason for the coup in Guinea. ECOWAS today faces a legitimacy issue because many citizens in member states do not see the body as representing their interests because of their silence on the illegality of sitting presidents. For example, ECOWAS maintained sealed lips when Alassane Ouattara amended the Cte dIvoires constitution and sought a third term.

This practice by ECOWAS signals a departure from the old tradition when ECOWAS used to be assertive on issues of democratic principles involving member states. In 2009, ECOWAS suspended President Mamadou Tandja of Niger after the expiration of his two terms despite orchestrating a referendum and conducting a sham election to validate his third term. In 2010, ECOWAS also asserted its power and compelled President Laurent Gbagbo to vacate office after he was defeated by Alassane Ouattara in the 2010 presidential election of Cte dIvoire. Also in 2016, ECOWAS restored the presidential mandate of Adama Barrow of Gambia after Yahya Jammeh refused to vacate office after he was defeated in the presidential polls.

The deviation from this time-tested practice is what has created a legitimacy gap for ECOWAS among citizens of member states. Today, ECOWAS finds it difficult to enforce its policies and protocol on dissenting members. The failure and refusal of military authoritarians in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso to abide by the ECOWAS timeline of political transition despite sanctions imposed on them signal the irreverence of the body in the region.

The way forward

For democracy to flourish in the region, presidents from member states must commit to democratic principles in their own countries. This will translate to wider democratic gains in the region. One way to achieve this is through the strengthening of democratic institutions in a way that they can withstand pressures from African strong men and authoritarians. Strong institutions are the bulwark upon which democracy is preserved. The ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS itself are in need of urgent reforms that will guarantee its independence from internal and external influences, so it can enforce its protocols without fear or favour.

Lastly, West African nations need to improve their level of statecraft, such that the government is able to deliver basic social goods to its citizens; this will help ensure trust and build faith in the hearts of citizens on the benefits and relevance of democracy.

Ominabo is the communications officer at the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

Originally posted here:
ECOWAS: Democratic reversals and the crisis of governance in West Africa - TheCable

WISCONSIN In the fourth hearing of the January 6th Select Committee, we learned more about the pressure campaign of Trump and his MAGA allies to overturn the results of the election. An all-Republican panel first detailed Trump and his officials harassment, and an election worker and her mother described their experiences after they were falsely accused by Trump of meddling in the election.

Trump pressured state officials to overthrow the will of the people in order to stay in power, and exposed election workers to threats and harassment by publicly and falsely accusing them of crimes, said Defend Democracy Project Communications Director Nicole Haley. There is no depth that Trump will not sink to, including attacking innocent people for just doing their jobs. The threat is ongoing, and those involved must be held accountable no matter if they are former presidents, members of Congress, or other officials.

1. Officials described Trump and his allies campaign to pressure officials to overturn the results of the election they lost.

2. Officials found no evidence of voter fraud in Arizona and Georgia.

3. At least one U.S. congressman and one senator participated in the conspiracy by pressuring state officials and trying to deliver fake elector certificates to Vice President Pence.

4. President Trumps blatantly illegal actions directly resulted in threats of violence against people doing their jobs and carrying out their oaths to the Constitution.

Excerpt from:
Defend Democracy Project: Jan 6th hearing takeaways - WisPolitics.com

Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education. (President Franklin D. Roosevelt)

The recent controversies about the Amity Regional School District budget demonstrate the poignancy of these words. Indeed, in this era of unlimited sources of information and ideas, we and our children need to be educated on how to discern facts from misleading or false statements and how to identify reliable sources of information. This is crucial and increasingly difficult.

One budget-related topic where confusion about the facts was widespread concerned surplus in the Amity budget. Some were critical that there were yearly surpluses and others focused on the purported cost to taxpayers of the surpluses. Amity Board of Education members explained various reasons for surpluses, including the unpredictability of special education costs and variability in state grants.

As to the cost of carrying a surplus, the oft-repeated claim that Amity had a $3M surplus for each of the last 4 years and that the cost to taxpayers was $12M was blatantly wrong in two respects. Amity Board of Education members explained why. First, it confuses a surplus with an expense. It is the same $3M that gets carried over year to year. Likewise, the cost to taxpayers of carrying a surplus is at most the interest lost on the money. Generously estimating a 3% interest rate over those years, the cost would be $90,000 per year (for all 3 towns) approximately $6-$10 per year per household.

What we learned from this: there needs to be clearer, accessible information made widely available concerning how the Amity budget is developed, why some amount of surplus may be necessary and whether it has been the correct amount, and why funding the schools to assure a top-notch education is so important for our children and to our community.

Another controversy about the budget centered on hiring a part-time Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) instructional coach. Opponents claimed that this would foster an us versus them culture in the school, and worse. Here again, Amity Board of Education members explained their commitment to addressing inclusion and equity in a way that is positive for everyone[and] makes ALL children feel like they belong at school. Equity is about allowing EVERY child to reach their full potential.

What we learned from this: some in the community are not as committed as others to providing an inclusive and affirming environment for all members of our school community; others are confused about the goals and importance of DEI principles; and the majority of us are firmly committed to the goals of DEI. DEI reflects our increasingly diverse Town and nation and expresses the values that make our community robust, welcoming and healthy. We must continue to educate our neighbors about the need for and goals of DEI.

We in Woodbridge have long demonstrated the high value we place on education through our budget: approximately 2/3 of our spending goes to supporting our schools. Yet even this fundamental community commitment appeared to be under attack during the recent Amity Budget controversy.

What we learned from this: there is a large group of committed Woodbridge residents who are ready to step up and come together to ensure that our already fine schools are even stronger, more supportive, and more inclusive places of learning. These are the future leaders of Woodbridge, and with their engagement, our Town will continue to thrive as the vibrant, welcoming community we all call home.

If you are interested in learning more about the Woodbridge Democratic Town Committee, please get in touch with us by email: woodbridgeCTdems@gmail.com or visit our website: woodbridgeCTdems.org.

See more here:
Education: The Safeguard of Democracy Woodbridge Town News - Woodbridge Town News

Donald Trump

With the June Jan. 6 hearings wrapping up Thursday and Colorados primary election set for Tuesday, June 28, the debate over where candidates stand on the 2020 presidential contest whether they still believe in the big lie or the fact of a free and fair election is raging from Eagle County to Washington, D.C.

Its too late to mail in your Colorado primary ballot, butnot too late to voteon a slate of candidates who could have an enormous say at the state level in how future federal and local elections are conducted and whether everyone has the same access to voting.

With the future of representative democracy at stake with this and every ensuing local, state and federal election, RealVail.com has been asking candidates their positions on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the role of state lawmakers and election officials (more from our local candidates below).

The bipartisanU.S. House Select Committeeto Investigate the January 6thAttack on the U.S. Capitol concluded its June hearings with a fifth edition on Thursday, with more hearings on tap for July. So far, the committee has done an excellent job detailing just how close the country came to a full-blown crisis.

In the first hearing, it was demonstrated how former President Donald Trumps closest campaign and legal advisorstold him he had had lost the electionto President Joe Biden but Trump spread the big lie anyway, seeking out allies everywhere.

In the second hearing, Trump was shown to haveknowingly fleeced his base of supportersby spreading the big lie for financial gain, raking in huge amounts of cash for a legal defense fund that did not exist. The lie led to deadly violence on Jan. 6.

The third hearing showed how Vice President Mike Pence looked for reasons to back Trumps corrupt electoral college scheme, devised by complicit attorney John Eastman while he worked for the University of Colorado, butbalked when he was advised such a plot was illegal.

The pressure campaign on Pence, includingwhile he was on a family vacation in Vailover the Christmas holiday in 2020, included veiled threats from Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, whose district includes part of Eagle County.

Boebert, who on Jan. 6 proclaimedToday is 1776, took this shot at Pence on Jan. 2:VP Pence needs to be Thomas Jefferson in this moment, Boeberttweeted, referencinga precedent that did not exist. We have your back if youve got ours, @VP.Boebert faces a GOP primary challengeon Tuesday from moderate Republican state Sen. Don Coram.

In the Jan. 6 committees fourth hearing, the real-life impacts of Trumps big lie beyond the fatalities and injured police during the assault were demonstrated by state and local election officials who werethreatened and attacked across the country. The illegal scheme to send illegitimate alternate slates of electors to Washington was also revealed in greater detail.

Andin Thursdays fifth hearing, lawmakers showed proof of how Trump nearly pressured the U.S. Justice Department into falsely claiming the election was stolen a plot that was only derailed by the threat of mass resignations by Justice officials.

Perhaps most importantly, the committee has demonstrated that Trump and many members of the Republican Party are engaged in an ongoing plot to undermine more than two centurys of institutional norms that support the very foundations of American democracy, and that, given the chance, they will try again in 2024.

Besides big lie proponents such as Boebert on Tuesdays ballot,indicted and disgracedMesa County Clerk and Recorder Tina Peters is trying to become Colorado secretary of state, Jan. 6 participant Ron Hanks wants to be a U.S. senator, and CU RegentHeidi Ganahl, whorefuses to condemn Eastmanfor hisrole in the Jan. 6 attack, wants to be Colorado governor.

Those are just a few reasons to head to a vote center or find a drop box on Tuesday. Also on the ballot for Republicans or unaffiliated voters who choose to vote GOP (only submit one partys ballot or both will be thrown out), is the state House District 26 race, which includes most of Eagle County.

Republican Savannah Wolfson of Oak Creek takes on Glenn Lowe of Eagle, who has not answered any of RealVail.coms campaign questions. Democrat Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs does not have a primary opponent. Heres how Wolfson and Lukensanswered questionsabout the 2020 election.

RV:Is Joe Biden the freely and fairly elected president of the United States, or do you agree with former President Donald Trump that there was widespread voter fraud in 2020?

ML:Joe Biden is the freely and fairly elected President of the United States.

SW:Joe Biden was certified by the electoral college and is president of the United States, or we would not be dealing with the massive fallout of his failed presidency. We must look forward, take back the Legislative branch in 22, and stop his extreme agendas. In his short amount of time in office, he has shown the American people that you cannot give the government more power without taking power away from sovereign individuals. His foreign policy all over the world has been both dangerous and embarrassing, and the debacle in Afghanistan made me question, as a military spouse, that the life of my husband is valued by our government. On the subject of voter fraud, there are always things we can do to increase election security, and we should do them moving forward. I encourage everyone who reads this to become an election judge this year and stay until the process is done. We have had a shortage of Republican election judges in this district in the past, and its time to change that.

RV:Do you agree with an RNC resolution censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger [for serving on the Jan. 6 committee] and declaring Jan. 6 legitimate political discourse?

ML:No.

SW:I am ready to look forward and deal with our local issues, and I think most Coloradans are too. The average moms and dads I talk to in our district are not very worried about Liz Cheney in their day to day lives. They are worried about filling their tanks with gas and focused on their childrens education. The ranchers are worried about wolf reintroduction and the constant attacks on agriculture from state leadership. The energy workers are worried about their jobs being shut down. These are the areas I am focused on improving.

RV:Should Colorado pass laws and take actions aimed at election security up to and including sending alternate presidential electors in the 2024 presidential election?

ML:Colorado is a leader in voting rights and election security. Our voting system in the state of Colorado has proven to be effective, safe, and accessible. I do not see a need to send alternate presidential electors in the 2024 presidential election.

SW:Im always for improving security where there are gaps, and that should be bipartisan. I do not agree that our system legally allows alternate electors. However, if non-candidates want to take action, they can do so by becoming an election judge and staying until the process is over. We all want to bring balance back to the state legislature and that is what I will do as your legislator.

In the state Senate District 8 race, there are no primary challengers for RepublicanMatt Solomonof Eagle and DemocratDylan Robertsof Avon, but heres where they stand on the 2020 election ahead of the Nov. 8 general election:

RV:Is Joe Biden the freely and fairly elected president of the United States, or do you agree with former President Donald Trump that there was widespread voter fraud in 2020?

DR:Joe Biden is the freely and fairly elected President.

MS:Joe Biden was sworn into office as our President in January 2020. Until and unless the courts show otherwise, he is our president.

RV:Do you agree with the RNC resolution censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger [for serving on the Jan. 6 committee] and declaring Jan. 6 legitimate political discourse?

DR:No.

MS:The political environment in our country has been so divisive and negative, it is no wonder the majority of people in our Senate District 8 are unaffiliated or claim independence. January 6 is one more example of this negative divisiveness that we must overcome.

RV:Should Colorado pass laws and take actions aimed at election security up to and including sending alternate presidential electors in the 2024 presidential election?

DR:Our Colorado Constitution and election laws set forth a clear and reliable way to elect the President and all other elected offices. Colorado also has a secure, reliable, and consistently-audited election system that works well. I am always open to changes to law that make our elections more reliable and secure but do not see a reason to consider alternate electors or any reforms along those lines.

MS:While none of us in Senate District 8 want to be micro managed by an overbearing government and we all want to have the utmost faith in the process, election security is a very important issue. It could include everything from alternate presidential electors, to mandatory identifications for voters, to special paper on which ballots would be printed. Before agreeing that Colorado should pass laws and take actions, though, we must first read and understand the language of said proposals so we can ensure the long-term goals of fair, free, and secure elections are actually met.

David O. Williams is the editor and co-founder of RealVail.com and has had his awarding-winning work (see About Us) published in more than 75 newspapers and magazines around the world, including 5280 Magazine, American Way Magazine (American Airlines), the Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), the Anchorage Daily Press (Alaska), Aspen Daily News, Aspen Journalism, the Aspen Times, Beaver Creek Magazine, the Boulder Daily Camera, the Casper Star Tribune (Wyoming), the Chicago Tribune, Colorado Central Magazine, the Colorado Independent (formerly Colorado Confidential), Colorado Politics (formerly the Colorado Statesman), Colorado Public News, the Colorado Springs Gazette, the Colorado Springs Independent, the Colorado Statesman (now Colorado Politics), the Colorado Times Recorder, the Cortez Journal, the Craig Daily Press, the Curry Coastal Pilot (Oregon), the Daily Trail (Vail), the Del Norte Triplicate (California), the Denver Daily News, the Denver Gazette, the Denver Post, the Durango Herald, the Eagle Valley Enterprise, the Eastside Journal (Bellevue, Washington), ESPN.com, Explore Big Sky (Mont.), the Fort Morgan Times (Colorado), the Glenwood Springs Post-Independent, the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, the Greeley Tribune, the Huffington Post, the King County Journal (Seattle, Washington), the Kingman Daily Miner (Arizona), KUNC.org (northern Colorado), LA Weekly, the Las Vegas Sun, the Leadville Herald-Democrat, the London Daily Mirror, the Moab Times Independent (Utah), the Montgomery Journal (Maryland), the Montrose Daily Press, The New York Times, the Parents Handbook, Peaks Magazine (now Epic Life), People Magazine, Powder Magazine, the Pueblo Chieftain, PT Magazine, the Rio Blanco Herald Times (Colorado), Rocky Mountain Golf Magazine, the Rocky Mountain News, RouteFifty.com (formerly Government Executive State and Local), the Salt Lake Tribune, SKI Magazine, Ski Area Management, SKIING Magazine, the Sky-Hi News, the Steamboat Pilot & Today, the Sterling Journal Advocate (Colorado), the Summit Daily News, United Hemispheres (United Airlines), Vail/Beaver Creek Magazine, Vail en Espaol, Vail Health Magazine, Vail Valley Magazine, the Vail Daily, the Vail Trail, Westword (Denver), Writers on the Range and the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Williams is also the founder, publisher and editor of RealVail.com and RockyMountainPost.com.

Here is the original post:
Democracy itself is on the ballot in Tuesday's Colorado primary election - RealVail

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testified before the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday. Last week the Fed ordered the largest interest rate increase since 1994. Powell acknowledged the rate hike could lead to a recession and would not lead to lower gas and food prices. Powell was questioned by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: Chair Powell, will gas prices go down as a result of your interest rate increase?

Jerome Powell: I would not think so, no.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: OK. And that matters because gas prices are one of the single biggest drivers of inflation. Chair Powell, will the Feds interest rate increases bring food prices down for families?

Jerome Powell: I wouldnt say so, no.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren: The reason I raise this and the reason Im so concerned about this is rate increases make it more likely that companies will fire people and slash hours to shrink wage costs. Rate increases also make it more expensive for families to do things like borrow money for a house. And so far, the cost this year of a mortgage has already doubled.

See the rest here:
Elizabeth Warren Blasts Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Hiking Interest Rates - Democracy Now!