Suchergebnisse

A constitution enjoys a special place in the life of any nation,
for it
regulates not only the exercise of political power, but also the
relationship between political entities and between the state and
persons. Being the supreme law, it helps to shape the organisation and

development of society both for the present and for future generations,

and sets objective standards upon which the people and the
international community can judge government performance, thus
providing a measure of accountability and transparency in national
and local affairs. Further, a constitution sets out the rights and duties

of the citizens, and provides mechanisms to enable them to protect their

interests. Overall a constitution can contribute to the development of

a politically active civil society as well as promoting good governance,

accountability and the rule of law.Prior to the 1990s the history of constitutions and constitutionalism

in Commonwealth Africa, as elsewhere on the continent, was bleak.
The newly independent states started life with the Westminster export
model constitution bestowed upon them by the British. There was little

or no opportunity for public debate on the document, and the
nationalist leaders themselves had no genuine choice as to its structure

and contents. The futility of forcing the model on the newly
independent states, in the words of Karugire 'a triumph of hope over

experience', inevitably led to constitutional instability and a round
of
constitution-making and amendment wholly designed to enhance
executive power, remove checks and balances, and undermine the
enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Several African countries have found that the road towards the reintroduction of multi-party politics is not easy. This short article examines aspects of constitutional developments in the Seychelles, and argues that three fundamental criteria are necessary for a genuine return to democratic pluralism: the implementation of a proper and fairly organised electoral process, the drafting of a new constitution which represents the wishes of the people, and the effective de-linking of ruling party and government.