The principle of separation of powers, where the three arms of state, Parliament, Executive and the Judiciary, play independent but equal roles in the affairs of the state, has been hailed as one of the most progressive tools of democracy and accountability in Commonwealth countries, writes Sakhile Mokoena.
Presiding over a special session of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) small branches, held on the sidelines of the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) in Cape Town, the Speaker of the Parliament of Cayman Islands Mr Ezzard Miller said separation of powers and the relationship between the three arms of state help countries preserve democratic values, rule of law and human rights.
“This principle of separation of powers ensures the independence of legislatures from executive encroachment, it is a fundamental principle of democracy and the rule of law, and also ensures accountability by the government,” explained Mr Miller.
Smaller legislatures often face challenges of numbers where the members of the executive outnumber members of parliament which makes oversight difficult.
The meeting also heard from conference participants that separation of powers must help build developmental states that are ethical, capable and able to transform the lives of the people.
The small branches also concurred that independent and effective institutions help maintain the constitutional balance between the legislature, executive and the legislature, ensure checks and balances, and safeguard the ability of each branch of government to fulfill its responsibilities without any interference.
During a discussion on parliamentary oversight on state-owned enterprises, the meeting heard a proposal from the floor that this oversight must be extended to include private sector companies where the state was a shareholder.
The 69th CPC takes place from 13 to 19 September 2026 at the CTICC, bringing together presiding officers, members of parliamentary officials and governance experts from the CPA’s nine geographical regions. The conference theme is: “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”
The CPC is one of the Commonwealth’s major parliamentary gatherings and provides a platform for legislators to exchange views on challenges facing parliamentary democracy and identify areas for greater cooperation.
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