Monday, June 29, 2009

WHAT IS DEMOCRATIC? Honduran Lesson


What had happened in Honduras could happen to us. President Manuel Zelaya was whisked away to Costa Rica in order to install a new president.

Reports said that: "Congress speaker Roberto Micheletti will serve as interim president until polls are held, Congress said. The removal of Mr Zelaya by the army came amid a power struggle over his plans for constitutional change.

Mr Zelaya, who had been in power since 2006, wanted to hold a referendum that could have led to an extension of his non-renewable four-year term.

Polls for the referendum had been due to open early on Sunday - but troops instead took him from the presidential palace and flew him to Costa Rica.

The ousting of Manuel Zelaya has been criticised by regional neighbours, the US and the United Nations."

What is not right in this change of officials is that the military took charge of the change and not the people. This could be highly questionable as Mr. Zelaya had been elected democratically.

Although his motives in pushing for the referendum are questionable, the manner of removing him contributed to the political problems of strengthening democratic processes in Honduras, and serves a black eye in terms of making democracy work all over the globe.

Military power to cleanse government is hardly democratic.



-- Mayan Rain God Chac, Honduras. Photographer: Robert Francis

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