Presz. Mahama Warns of Global Democratic Backsliding at African Court Anniversary in Arusha
By Joyce Ayine
President John Dramani Mahama has cautioned that judicial independence and democratic institutions across the world are facing mounting threats due to growing executive interference and shrinking civil liberties.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, the President said institutions once regarded as global symbols of democracy, justice and the rule of law are experiencing a troubling decline.
Addressing judges, diplomats and legal practitioners gathered for the ceremony, President Mahama observed that recent global developments point to a pattern of executive overreach and the gradual weakening of legislative authority, trends he said undermine the very foundation of democratic governance.
“Judiciaries are no longer independent ,We see executive overreach and a steady weakening of legislative independence,” he stated, warning that the erosion of institutional checks and balances poses a serious risk to constitutional rule.
The President further noted that fundamental freedoms are increasingly under pressure in many parts of the world. According to him, restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly and protest are becoming more common, contributing to what he described as a sharp erosion of public trust in governments.
“Restrictions are being placed on freedom of speech, assembly and protest. There is a general loss of liberties and a sharp decline in public trust in governments,” he said.
President Mahama also reflected on the interconnected nature of modern global challenges, pointing to the rapid spread of COVID-19 as an example of how crises in one part of the world can quickly affect others. He said technological advancement has made the world more integrated, amplifying both opportunities and vulnerabilities.
He cautioned African nations against measuring their democratic progress solely against Western benchmarks, stressing that current global trends should serve as a wake-up call for countries on the continent to strengthen their own democratic institutions.
“The reality we see today should serve as a clear call to action,” President Mahama added, urging renewed commitment to judicial independence and the protection of fundamental rights.
