The New World Order and its implications for human rights and democracy in Africa: a critical appraisal

With the end of the Cold War, the claim is being made that a New World Order is emerging which is already enthroning rules of international law, human rights norms and democratic principles into the centre stage of international relations, mostly under the auspices of the UN. This articles examines whether there is a New World Order, and the extent to which it differs from the Cold War years when it comes to the protection of human rights and democratic principles in Africa. The article argues that the coming into being of the UN system in 1945 and the creation of the international law regime is the stage which could really be referred to as a New World Order. This period was interrupted by the Cold War years, which had a negative impact on human rights and democratic governance in Africa. But the end of the Cold War has not given any indication so far that an enabling global climate will be provided automatically for the pursuit of human rights and democratic principles in Africa. The US and its allies are dominating the UN organs to legitimize their own strategic interests, while the threat to world security is perceived as coming from the South. International law is being appropriated as part of the strategy of domination, as is also manifested by the humanitarian interventions that have taken place under the auspices of the UN in the post-Cold War era. Notes, ref.