For Africa to Progress, Its Laws Must Reflect Its Own Ideals, Not Western Ones, High Commissioner of the FALAS Alumni Commission Says
For Africa to Progress, Its Laws Must Reflect Its Own Ideals, Not Western Ones, High Commissioner of the FALAS Alumni Commission Says
For Africa to achieve a fair and inclusive international legal system, its laws must reflect African realities, not imported ideals, said Alfred Eli Kwasi Dei.
Speaking to Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the 5th Conference of the Federation of African Law Students, he urged African leaders “to ensure that laws in Africa, continental laws in Africa, reflect the ideals, principles, and ethics of the African people, and not incorporate Western laws into our systems.”
Developing African-centered jurisprudence is key to strengthening the continent’s voice in global justice, the High Commissioner of the Federation of African Law Students Alumni Commission believes.
“If we start from there and enhance the African jurisprudence, we will be able to carry the conversation to the global level as a united front,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of young legal minds in shaping Africa’s future:
“Law students can shape this by engaging communities, by coming together as think tanks to have conversations and carry the conversations to places that matter.”
Calling Russia “a friend of Africa in the sense of inclusivity,” Dei expressed hope that its leadership at the UN Security Council would translate into “a question of action, not theory.”
His final message to Africa’s youth was one of empowerment:
“Dream big, think big, and know that the Africa we want is still being shaped — and you are part of it.”
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