President Goodluck Jonathan has assured of Nigeria’s commitment to the entrenchment of democratic values in all nations.
The president made this assurance today at the 7TH Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies holding in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
President Gooluck Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo stated that Nigeria, as the biggest democracy in Africa, was prepared to work at all times with other nations to create a league of democratic drivers who would ensure the entrenchment of best practices. “Nigeria will at all times lead the way to strong democratic values amongst the nations of Africa. It is on this note that our administration has pledged to ensure that local elections in Nigeria are held according to established international norms.” He said.
The president, who described the positive relationship between democracy and economic growth draws example from Nigeria’s democracy whose relative stability has brought about democratic dividends to her people.
Furthermore, President Goodluck Jonathan reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing the people of Nigeria good services on a democratic platform where he stated that his government remained focused on strengthening democracy through the institutionalization of good governance creation of opportunities as well as economic growth.
The president however lamented at some global challenges to democracy, which range from activities of undemocratic elements that seize the opportunity of the freedom democracy offered to destabilize the political system, to terrorism by non-state actors which tend to overwhelm legitimate democracies. He called on all members to work hard in entrenching democracy and rule of law to defeat those challenges. He however called on all not to relent in pursuing the principles of democracy and rule of law to defeat these unwholesome agents. “we must continue to strengthen our collective resolve to confront current and future challenges as a united entity and thereby engender sustainable peace and development for our people.” Said the president
President Goodluck Jonathan lauded member’ countries for electing Nigeria as the incoming president for the period 2015-2017 and assured of his administration’s continued commitment to the entrenchment of democratic values within the nation and in working towards the internationalization of democratic values.
Earlier the noble Aung Suu Kyi, who was the Guest of Honour at the event thanked those who stood by them in their more than two-decade of struggle for democracy and also prayed that in they shall continue to stand by them in their journey towards democratizing .
The Nobel prize laureate who was also the chairperson of the National League for Democracy of Myammar described democracy as the ability to chose right over wrong “positively negative” but however cautioned that democracy must be accompanied by a geunine improvement in the standard of living of the people.
Aung Suu Kyi who draws on the multi-pluraristlic society she hailed from Myanmar, cautioned against conflict in overcoming difficulties. She advocated for a non violent approach in their quest to achieving democracy and development.
Other speakers at the event were President Ts. Elbegdorj of Mongolia, Tawakkol Karman (2011 Nobel Peace Price Laureatte), Maria Lessner CD Secretary-General, Alfio Piva Mensen Vice President of Costa Rica, Catherine Ashton Vice President of the European Commission, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Director-General of the UN office at Geneva (UNOG), and Yingluck Shinawatra Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
The Community of Democracies is a global intergovernmental coalition of democratic countries with the goal of promoting democratic rules and strengthening democratic norms and institutions around the world.
The governing council is the highest decision making body with twenty four member countries (Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, South Africa, Republic Of Korea, Sweden, United States and Uruguay.). over 100 democratic countries participate at ministerial meetings every two years.
