Why in Africa, including Zambia, Cabinet appointments outside the legislature have been resisted against? Explain in details with practical examples
Cabinet appointments outside the legislature have been resisted in Africa, including Zambia, for several reasons. One of the main reasons is the potential for increased executive dominance and reduced accountability to the legislature. When cabinet ministers are not drawn from the legislature, they may not have the same level of accountability to elected representatives, as they are not directly accountable to the people through the electoral process.
Additionally, appointing cabinet ministers from outside the legislature can weaken the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government. This can lead to an erosion of checks and balances, as the executive branch may become too powerful and able to make decisions without sufficient oversight from the legislature.
Furthermore, appointing cabinet ministers from outside the legislature can undermine the concept of representative democracy. In a representative democracy, elected officials are supposed to represent the will of the people. When ministers are appointed from outside the legislature, they may not have the same mandate from the electorate as those who are elected.
In Zambia, there have been instances where the appointment of cabinet ministers from outside the legislature has been met with resistance. For example, in 2016, President Edgar Lungu appointed several technocrats to his cabinet who were not members of parliament. This move was criticized by opposition parties and civil society groups, who argued that it undermined the principle of parliamentary democracy and limited accountability.
Ultimately, the resistance to cabinet appointments outside the legislature in Africa, including Zambia, is rooted in the desire to uphold democratic principles, ensure accountability, and maintain the balance of power between different branches of government. It is important for countries to strike a balance between technocratic expertise and democratic legitimacy when making cabinet appointments, in order to ensure good governance and effective leadership.