A statement from The Elders last week compared US President Donald Trump’s refusal to “adhere to the protocols and processes governing the transition of power” to that of “volatile and undemocratic situations in states such as Kenya, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe”.
The statement comes Trump continued to claim on Twitter that he won the US presidential election, despite every other major broadcaster having called the election for his Democratic opponent Joe Biden.
I WON THE ELECTION!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2020
“The continued assertions of electoral fraud by the President and some senior members of the Administration and of the Republican Party, offered as yet without any compelling evidence, convey a lack of respect for the integrity and independence of the democratic and legal institutions of the United States,” The Elders warned.
“Such an unprecedented situation could have far-reaching consequences beyond the United States’ borders. Those who stand to benefit from the current impasse are autocratic rulers and malign actors who wish to undermine democracy and the rule of law across the world.”
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former President of Ireland, said “It is shocking to have to raise concerns about US democratic processes as The Elders have previously commented on volatile and undemocratic situations in states such as Kenya, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe”.
“President Trump’s refusal thus far to facilitate a smooth transition weakens democratic values. His fellow Republicans must now affirm their faith in the US Constitution, democratic institutions and the rule of law, so the country can begin a process of reconciliation.”
Read the full statement here.
