ISSUES OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RULE OF LAW IN AFRICA

Abstract

For a just, equal and egalitarian society, observance of rule of law is a necessity and not an option. Rule of law embodies other related constitutional concepts including: separation of powers, human rights and the independence of the judiciary. If one was to make a prognosis on human rights and rule of law, the inescapable conclusion one comes is to effect that Africa’s march to societal progress and human development depend on the strong pillars of human rights anchored on rule of law. It is the contention of this paper that the western concepts of human rights and rule of law would have to be tempered by African realities for them to take firm root in these climes. This is because however much we want to imitate the Europeans and Americans. We are African with a peculiar history, tradition and idiosyncrasies which would need to be factored into our approach to the critical choices we have to make regarding human rights and the rule of law putting into serious consideration the issues of women, children and the vulnerable in the African society.