The world observes International Day of Democracy on 15 September amid the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The United Nations (UN) has urged governments to be “transparent, responsive and accountable ” in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The best response is one that responds proportionately to immediate threats while protecting human rights and the rule of law,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Economist Intelligence unit ranks countries around the world to gauge their level of democracy.
The latest index (2019) reveals a decline in democracy in numerous parts of the world.
“2019 was a year of protest across the developed and developing world,” notes the Intelligence unit.
The 2019 index recorded “the worst global democracy score since its inception in 2006”.
According to the Index, the most democratic country in the world is Norway and the worst being North Korea.
In the Sub-Saharan African region, Mauritius ranks number one as the most democratic country in the region.
Botswana is in second place, Cape Verde third place, South Africa fourth and Ghana as the fifth most democratic country in the region.
Mauritius is the only country that enjoys the “full democracy” status among the top five most democratic countries in the region. The remaining four countries all have a “flawed democratic’ states, according to The Economist Intelligence unit.
Infographic by Matiba Sibanyoni
