University Academics On The 2015 Presidential Election: Defeat The Suppression

[ A protest by University academics]

The presidential election has been announced and each of us will be called upon to exercise our vote as citizens of this country on the 8th of January 2015. It is our considered view that our country is at a historically important juncture at this moment and our decision at this election will have crucial implications for future generations. While we do not believe that all the changes we desire can be achieved overnight, or simply through a regime change, we believe strongly that this presidential election offers a window of opportunity to re-establish democracy, the rule of law and good governance and to address issues of social justice.

We note with extreme concern that in the past decade we have witnessed a breakdown of the rule of law and all norms of democracy and good governance and the concentration of both political and economic power in the hands of a few.

This has been particularly manifested in:

• The unprecedented politicization of the judiciary and the manipulation of the judicial system which reached a crisis point with the unlawful impeachment of the former Chief Justice.
• The political control over the police, lack of public accountability of the police force, and the alarming levels of human rights violations perpetrated by police personnel.
• The intimidation of journalists and suppression of the free media
• The breakdown of public institutions and services which are now mostly concentrated in the hands of the ruling elite. This breakdown has negatively impacted on our access to such institutions and services which is increasingly determined by the extent to which we can wield influence and power. It has further resulted in public servants being subject to political manipulations, and being victimized for daring to demonstrate any form of independence.
• The politicization of universities which are struggling to function in an environment of poor governance, infringement of academic autonomy and lack of basic funding.
• The widening gap between the rich and poor –The poor whose only source of health facilities and education is the public sector are increasingly pushed to the margin and into the hands of the private sector.
• Increasing intolerance of ethnic, religious and cultural diversity– ethnic and religious intolerance is being cultivated shamelessly in an effort to maintain the hegemony of the ruling elite. Mistrust among communities and groups and the deterioration in the protection and rights of minorities has spiraled.
• Corruption, bribery and waste in connection with economic projects and the creation of a politicized business Mafia.
• Violation of election laws – the complete violation with impunity of election laws has resulted in the impossibility of conducting free and fair elections.

WE URGE OUR FELLOW CITIZENS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER NOT ONLY THE ABOVE BUT ALSO THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY WHEN EXERCISING THEIR CIVIC DUTY. IT IS ONLY THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAN ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. THE TIME HAS ARRIVED FOR EACH OF US TO ACT DECISIVELY IN THE NAME OF GENERATIONS TO COME AND CAST OUR VALUABLE VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE WHO HAS COMMITTED TO:

• Undertake major constitutional reform that prioritizes but is not limited to the

o Abolishing of the Executive Presidency

o Abolishing of the 18th amendment that opens the door to Presidency for life

o Re-enactment of the 17th Amendment which ensured at least a modicum of independence of public institutions including the judiciary, the public service and the police.

• Take concrete and meaningful measures to promote reconciliation and peace with justice and re-settle all displaced people in their places of origin.
• Ensure that government allocates 6% GDP for Public Education and to put in place mechanisms to ensure the quality and standards of public education.
• Substantially increase government spending on Public Health and to put in place mechanisms to ensure the quality and standards of public health.
• Establish national policies on foreign relations, education, health and other important sectors and to ensure that these areas are served by professionals
• Enact a Right to Information Act.
• Protect media freedom.
• Take measures to eliminate corruption, bribery, waste and the business Mafia.
• Depoliticize the public services and business sector.
• Establish good governance devoid of nepotism and abuse of power.

We also make a strong appeal to the Election Commissioner to ensure a free and fair election and to intervene forcefully to prevent the violation of election laws and ensure the safety of all parties concerned.

While we will exert pressure on those who are responsible to commit to these issues, we will continue to advocate for the implementation of these proposed constitutional and policy changes even after the presidential election.