Former Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has urged the authorities of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to amend its protocol on democracy to set a two-term limit for all presidential tenures for its member states. Mr. Ngafuan, who has declared his intention to contest in Liberia’s presidential elections in October 2017, said such a positive lead from ECOWAS countries may ease the way for the adoption of term limits by all member states of the African Union. His call followed the recent development in The Gambia when former President Yahya Jammeh, was forced out of power, having stayed 22 consecutive years. He named corruption, cronyism, dictatorship and human rights abuse as the most prominent factors responsible for the reluctance of “sit-tight leaders” to leave power. He also said the judiciary must be strong, independent, and impartial, and that strong and countervailing institutions must be built.

Source: Daily Observer March 03, 2017 02:26 UTC