In partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and D66, we are excited to open applications for the 2022 Women’s Leadership Programme. The programme which runs between September 2022 and March 2023, is an excellent opportunity for women leaders to build upon their leadership skills and learn way to become effective agents for change. Participants will deepen their understanding of the essential aspects of leadership by exploring them with peers and experts.
The Programme will including political and personal training session, such as:
Identifying issues and bringing about change
Using the media for your advantage (and coping with it when at difficult time)
Conduct effective oversight in parliament and using the tools available to you
Public speaking and how to handle difficult questions
Building your visibility and branding to prepare for re-election
Managing internal party structures and negotiations
APPLICATION CRITERIA
Women leaders currently in an elected public office or hold a senior position within their political party’s decision-making structure.
Member of a political party within the ALN. Letter of endorsement from the Party Chairperson, Leader, Secretary General is required.
Ability to commit to all three in-person retreats between October 2022 and March 2023.
Women leaders that have not previously taken part in the ALN’s Women Empowerment Programme.
All applicants must have a valid passport.
Successful applicants will have the cost of their transportation, accommodation, and meals covered during the programme. All other costs will be at the participant’s expense.
Find further details about our Leadership Programme HERE in English and HERE in French.
Applications are open now until the 25th of August 2022 (00:00, South Africa Time Zone / GMT+2)
In partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, we are excited to open applications for the event A voice for Africa’s liberal youth: Creating resilient youth organisations built on global best practice.
Taking place at the upcoming International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) General Assembly in Dakar, Senegal (16-19 June 2022), this is an excellent opportunity for leaders in youth politics. Our selected young leaders will also have the chance to participate in the Congress of Africa Liberal Youth (ALY).
Our event will be represented by five young leaders from ALN Member Parties, one selected from each region of the continent and in reflection of the diversity of youth structures and activism.
The selected young leaders will share the spotlight in co-facilitating a workshop focussing on key challenges and opportunities African liberal youth face. And by engaging with global participants at IFLRY and ALY, we will together craft solutions to key questions, such as:
What are the main roles and responsibilities of a youth organisation?
How do we select ideal leadership structures to ingrain resilience?
What channels and activities should we consider to build committed, dedicated members?
APPLICATION CRITERIA
Young leaders (18-35) actively engaged in political life. Demonstrable proof of leadership in youth politics is required.
Fluent in English.
A visible commitment to positively impact their communities, countries, and the continent
Member of, or affiliated to, a political party within the ALN. Letter of endorsement from Party Chairperson, Leader, Secretary-General, or other equivalent authority is required.
Ability to commit to:
Pre-departure briefings and completion of part-time tasks from 1 June.
In-person participation in Senegal from 15-19 June.
Consolidation of best practice notes gathered at the event until end of June.
Applicants with some facilitation experience are preferred.
Preference may also be applied to applicants either affiliated to IFLRY or with a pending application to join the organisation.
Successful applicants will be provided with return transportation to Senegal, accommodation, meals, and registration fees for the IFLRY conference. All other costs will be at the participant’s expense.
Applications are now open until 5 May 2022 (00:00, South Africa Time Zone / GMT+2). Please use the link below to apply.
The Africa Liberal Network is delighted to announce the Network’s new Coordinator, Ms Robyn Thomson.
Robyn, a 27-year-old from Cape Town, joins the network’s Secretariat after serving as a Researcher and Acting Head of Media for the Democratic Alliance at South Africa’s Western Cape Provincial Parliament. In those roles, she supported liberal politicians through her strong research skills and extensive communication experience in portfolios such as economic development, housing, and constitutional affairs.
Parties in government, it is well-placed to provide a platform for uniquely African liberal solutions to the challenges and opportunities our continent faces.”
Robyn’s postgraduate studies at Stellenbosch University focused on the role that informal networks play in the representation of women in political life.
“Having studied and worked with female politicians, I am acutely aware of some of the difficulties they face in being represented in politics and government. I’m proud to be joining a Network that has a track record of supporting the entry of women into the political sphere, and I look forward to more that we can do to ensure their success in positions of real power.”
Moving forward, Robyn will be focusing on plans for the ALN’s 2022 General Assembly, collaborating with our longstanding Strategic Partners, and supporting the smooth functioning of our Executive Committee.
“We are moving into a post-pandemic period, and so it is a fantastic opportunity to hold an in-person General Assembly this year. I look forward to this flagship event and meeting the delegates of our Member Parties and Partner Organisations there,” Robyn adds.
The ALN Coordinator is available for all matters from our Member Parties. Robyn can be contacted on email (robyn@africaliberalnetwork.org) or mobile (+27 72 591 7982).
Robyn, âgée de 27 ans et originaire de Cap Town, rejoint le secrétariat du réseau après avoir servi comme chercheuse et responsable par intérim des médias pour l’Alliance Démocratique au Parlement provincial du Cap occidental, en Afrique du Sud. Grâce à ses solides compétences et à sa vaste expérience dans le domaine de la communication, Robyn a soutenu et accompagné les acteurs politiques libéraux dans des portefeuilles tels que le développement économique, le logement et les affaires constitutionnelles.
« Je me réjouis d’occuper cette nouvelle fonction au sein du RLA. Étant donné que le Réseau compte désormais en son sein plusieurs partis membres au pouvoir, il convient de fournir une plate-forme de politiques et de solutions libérales africaines uniques qui répondent aux défis et aux opportunités auxquels notre continent est confronté. »
Les études de troisième cycle de Robyn à l’Université de Stellenbosch portaient principalement sur le rôle que jouent les réseaux informels dans la représentation des femmes dans la vie politique.
« Ayant étudié et travaillé avec des femmes politiques, je suis parfaitement consciente de certaines des difficultés auxquelles elles sont confrontées pour être représentées en politique et même participer à l’exercice du pouvoir. Je suis fière de rejoindre un réseau qui a fait ses preuves en matière d’appui et de renforcement des femmes pour leur faciliter l’accès à la sphère politique, et je me réjouis de pouvoir faire plus afin d’assurer leur succès dans des postes de décisions. »
Très prochainement, Robyn se concentrera sur la planification et l’organisation de l’Assemblée Générale 2022 du RLA, en collaboration avec nos partenaires stratégiques de longue date. En autres missions, Robyn soutiendra aussi le bon fonctionnement de notre Comité Exécutif.
“Nous entrons dans une période post-pandémique, et c’est donc une opportunité fantastique de tenir une Assemblée Générale en présentiel cette année. J’ai hâte de participer à cet évènement phare de la vie du RLA et d’y rencontrer les délégués de nos partis membres et organisations partenaires », ajoute Robyn.
La Coordonnatrice du RLA reste à votre disposition pour toute question concernant nos partis membres. Robyn est joignable par e-mail (robyn@africaliberalnetwork.org) ou mobile (+27 72 591 7982).
The network has the greatest pleasure to announce our President, Maître Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo as endorsed by the network’s #ALN2020GA convened during 13 – 15 February 2020, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Together with the Executive Committee, President Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo will be leading the execution of the network’s 3 year strategy plan, which can be summarised as:
The network’s strategic priorities 2019 – 2022:
*External vision*: a prosperous and integrated Africa of flourishing democracies that are at peace with one another, in which all persons have the right and opportunity to fulfil their potential and be what they want to be;
*Internal vision*: a respected and influential advocate of liberal ideas on the African continent;
*Mission*: the network’s mission is to empower liberal political parties to grow their support, to increase their influence on politics of the continent and to implement liberal policies when in government.
Action Plan 2019 – 2020:
1. Adopt a clear national and regional strategy plan, which coincides with the continental strategy;
2. Support member parties with peer 2 peer exchange programmes;
3. Convene regional training workshops for member parties;
4. The constitutional review task team to investigate minimum standards of inclusion for youth and women. Investigation findings to be relayed, for consideration, by the ALN Executive Committee and ALN member party Executive Committees;
5. Extend to ALN member parties, realistic commitments and achievable goals, as outlined in the ALN Constitution, Johannesburg Declaration and the Liberal Manifesto for Africa;
6. Initiate and/ or collaborate with national, liberal political philosophy platforms;
7. Initiate the network’s annual calendar;
8. Initiate the network’s annual budget, complementing the calendar and the above outlined action plan.
Best wishes to the network, under the leadership of President Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo.
Recommendations on the theme: Peace and stability for economic and social development
Considering its General Assembly, convened during 13 – 15 February 2020 in Ouagadougou, themed: Peace and stability for Economic and Social Development in Africa;
Recalling the principle of solidarity and union of liberal parties to meet the aspirations of the African populations who expect from governance more justice, more peace and stability for equitable development;
Recalling the interactive link between peace and stability, necessary conditions for economic and social development understood as a situation where there are no prospects for wealth, acquiring knowledge, power and whose achievement requires predictability and durability;
Deploring the intensification of violence, the increasing attacks and kidnappings perpetrated by extremist groups in several African countries, in recent months, such as Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, making the security situation worrying and disturbing;
Considering that respect for the Constitution is the first pledge of stability of a nation;
Considering that stability and peace, without which all national construction is doomed to failure, constitute the guarantee of a country’s prosperity;
Recalling the creed of the RLA which is to defend freedom, democracy and institutions;
Wishing to promote economic and social development through entrepreneurship and the stimulation of the private sector;
Aware of the harmful consequences of a constitutional forcing for unconstitutional mandates;
Noting the perverse effects of the Internet on education, culture, social relations and the animation of political parties;
Follows with concern the recent developments in the political crisis in Guinea, born of the will of the President of the Republic, Alpha Condé, to amend the Constitution in order to grant himself a third mandate;
Recalls its attachment to the limitation of presidential mandates, as indicated in the Liberal Pan-African Manifesto adopted at its General Assembly in Abidjan in 2012;
Encourages African States to adopt in their Constitution the limitation of mandates in order to promote democratic change and avoid the detention of supreme power by one person for an extended period, with all the known consequences;
Condemns, therefore, the obstinacy of the Guinean President to change the Constitution of his country, eight months ahead of the end of his second and last mandate, with the sole aim of being able to seek a third term, at the tender age of 83 years;
Support and encourage the National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC) – a coalition of opposition political parties, unions and civil society organizations – which is fighting with courage and determination against this project to change the Constitution despite the ruthless repression to which his supporters are subjected to;
Condemns the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the recurrent use of lethal weapons in Guinea, during political or trade union demonstrations, which have to date resulted in the death of 134 innocent civilian demonstrators who are opposed to the Constitution amendment and the Guinean statutory laws amendment;
Recommends that the elections in Africa which are a source of instability and conflict take place in compliance with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance;
Formulates, in accordance with the principles of peace, stability and economic development of the Liberal Manifesto for Africa, the following recommendations:
Bring together traditional, religious and political leaders in each country in order to deeply identify the causes of internal conflicts;
Establish an inclusive, frank and permanent dialogue between the living forces of the nation on questions of national interest concerning elections, living together, etc. in order to prevent and mitigate electoral disputes, pre- and post-election violence;
Promote inter-religious, inter-ethnic and inter-community dialogue at the base and sanction any case of extremism, however slight, in order to prevent and mitigate inter-community, inter-religious, inter-ethnic conflicts;
Mobilize and involve all internal human resources for effective and less costly management of the consequences of conflicts and promote traditional and endogenous mechanisms for managing the consequences of conflicts;
Improve governance in our young states to assert the authority of the state without violence;
Respect individual and collective freedoms with a view to accepting differences and building strong nations;
Identify areas of complementarity in terms of conflict prevention and the sustainability of peace in the region with a view to pooling efforts for greater efficiency;
Identify the mechanisms, indicators and actors for the effective implementation of preventive diplomacy by the early warning system;
Promote a new model of economic development, based on a dynamic private sector, independent of the ruling system but rather supported by innovation and by sustainable, decent employment for young people and women;
Know how to count on your own strength. This requires an effort to mobilize internal resources by finding specific mechanisms for financing development projects and programs in crisis countries aimed at promoting the collective interest while relying on private actors and market instruments and in working for solidarity between African countries;
Promote economic integration through intra-Africa trade and the creation of optimal monetary zones.
As the Africa Liberal Network (ALN), we call upon ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations to refer to their statutory obligations and action appropriate measures applicable to President Alpha Condé and intervene to:
Stop the massacre of Guinean compatriots;
Respect the Constitution of the Republic by renouncing the illegal and conflict-generating third term project;
Complete the local elections in accordance with the Electoral Code and the Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 26, 2019;
Organize free, transparent and inclusive elections based on a Consensual Electoral Register, faithfully reflecting the reality of the electoral body;
Open a dialogue in good faith with the Opposition to resolve differences and organize free, transparent and inclusive elections for both the legislative and presidential elections of 2020;
Conduct serious investigations to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators of the crimes during demonstrations against the third term.
On 3 February 2020 Malawi’s constitutional court’s five panel judges unanimously annulled the 2019 General Elections results where President Mutharika had won with 38% thereby reverting to the 2014 to 2019 mandate until next elections are held. In interpreting the constitution, the court said that according to the law nobody won the 2019 elections because no candidate achieved 50+1.
The court have also reinstated Rt. Hon Saulos Kraus Chilima as the country’s Vice President replacing Rt. Hon Chimulirenji who had assumed office alongside President Peter Mitharika in May 2019.
The 500-page ruling cited widespread use of unauthorised correctional fluid, Tippex, to alter figures, the use of duplicate result sheets and unsigned results forms as cases that compromised the outcome of the elections. The court has also recommended to parliament to meet and amend the Elections Act paving way for a 50+1 win for the presidency.
The Africa Liberal Network congratulates the victory of the opposition political parties for championing the principles and actions of good governance and the rule of law. Further, the network commends the strict independence of the judiciary in protecting citizens’ constitutional rights. We also commend the Malawi judges for having resisted attempts of bribery as the case was in progress.
The Africa Liberal Network believes that Africa’s long-term development can only be assured when political and civil rights are secured for all people. Power comes from the people and is expressed through regular, free and fair elections.
This is the second time in Africa that a constitutional court annuls election results, the first was Kenya in 2017.
Elections should be open, transparent, and express the legitimate choice of the citizens.
This is indeed a milestone. This is a valuable lesson for all governments to learn from.
Well done to opposition parties for upholding democratic principles!
By Rose Sakala – Liberal International Human Rights Committee Representative and Africa Liberal Network Vice President, Southern Africa
Date: 7 January 2020
Release: Immediate
The Africa Liberal Network (ALN) is repulsed by the gross violation of the Uganda Constitution by it’s incumbent Head of State, President Yoweri Museveni. Museveni assumed office in 1986 and has ruled Ugandans for the past 34 years in dictatorship. Throughout his regime term, the state’s Constitution and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance has been violated with no warning to the dictator by domestic state institutions aimed to protect democracy and the rule of law.
On Monday 6 January 2020, Museveni’s police arrested and detained Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine, together with other People Power leaders and supporters, on their way to attend a Consultative public meeting with citizens of Uganda, ahead of the General Election inclusive of the Presidential elections scheduled for next year 2021.
The Africa Liberal Network observes the detainment as unjustified, considering that Uganda’s 2015 Presidential Election Act, accommodates for presidential aspirants to carry out “nationwide consultation” in the 12 months ahead of their official nomination as candidates. Bobi Wine is a contender of Uganda’s 2021 Presidential Elections.
Not only does the Network observe Museveni’s violation of the Uganda Constitution and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, we also denounce the violation of people’s sovereignty and certainly the human rights and people’s choice of assembly and association.
We call on regional and international organisations like the AU and SADC, to committ to the promotion of human rights and democracy, by denouncing acts opposing democracy and the freedom of citizens. Together with our global federation, Liberal International, we will be escalating Museveni’s violations to the United Nations Human Rights Council, through our representation on the Liberal International Human Rights Committee, which reports directly to the UN. Further the network will seek support, on behalf of Uganda, with the European Parliament.
The network remains committed to promoting liberal governance and we stand for values and principles of good governance. We respect human rights, democracy, the rule of law and sustainable development for all persons on the African continent.
Media Enquiries
Rose Sakala
Liberal International Human Rights Committee Representative Africa Liberal Network Vice President, Southern Africa
As part of his address to the Nation on Thursday, December 19, 2019, President Alpha Condé publicly confirmed his intention to change the Guinean Constitution by referendum, despite the strong popular protests expressed since October 14.
These protests, organized by the National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), a broad coalition federating all the political Parties of the Opposition, the organizations of the civil society and the trade unions, gave place to a bloody repression of the capacity leaving 25 dead, aged 14 to 32, dozens of gunshot wounds and numerous arbitrary arrests.
The African Liberal Network deplores these serious and massive violations of human rights and urges the authorities to promptly conduct investigations to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of these wrongdoings.
Extremely concerned by the violations of the constitutional and democratic order compromising peace and stability in Guinea and in the sub-region, the African Liberal Network calls for respect for the principles of constitutional convergence provided for in article 1 of Protocol A / ECOWAS SP1 / 12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance, namely:
Any accession to power must be done through free, fair, and transparent elections.
Any anti-constitutional change is prohibited, as is any undemocratic mode of gaining or remaining in power.
Popular participation in decision-making, strict respect for democratic principles, and the decentralization of power to all levels of government.
The army is apolitical and subject to regularly established political authority.
The state is secular and remains entirely neutral.
The African Liberal Network also urges Guinea to respect the obligations arising for it from the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN protection instruments human rights it has ratified.
The African Liberal Network will continue to closely monitor the situation of fundamental rights and freedoms in Guinea, foremost among which is the right to life, conditioning the enjoyment of all other rights, but also and above all, respect for democratic principles and ‘Rule of law.
Media Enquiries
Gilbert Noël OUEDRAOGO Acting President, Africa Liberal Network
+226 7064 7117
Ousmane Ben Fana Traore West Africa Vice President, Africa Liberal Network
+223 7310 5050
par Gilbert Noël OUEDRAOGO – Président par intérim, Africa Liberal Network (ALN)
Date: 30 décembre 2019
Sortie: Immédiate
Dans le cadre de son adresse à la Nation du jeudi 19 décembre 2019, le Président Alpha Condé a confirmé publiquement son intention de changer la Constitution guinéenne par voie référendaire, malgré les vives protestations populaires exprimées depuis le 14 octobre dernier.
Ces protestations, organisées par le Front National pour la Défense de la Constitution (FNDC), une large coalition fédérant tous les Partis politiques de l’Opposition, les Organisations de la société civile et les syndicats, ont donné lieu à une répression sanglante du pouvoir faisant 25 morts, âgées de 14 à 32 ans, plusieurs dizaines de blessés par balles et de nombreuses arrestations arbitraires.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain déplore ces violations graves et massives des droits de l’homme et exhorte les autorités à diligenter, dans les meilleurs délais, des enquêtes pour identifier et déférer devant les tribunaux les auteurs et commanditaires de ces actes répréhensibles.
Extrêmement préoccupé par les violations de l’ordre constitutionnel et démocratique compromettant la paix et la stabilité en Guinée et dans la sous-région, le Réseau Libéral Africain en appelle au respect des principes de convergence constitutionnelle prévus par l’article premier du Protocole A/SP1/12/01 de la CEDEAO sur la Démocratie et la Bonne Gouvernance, à savoir :
Toute accession au pouvoir doit se faire à travers des élections libres, honnêtes, et transparentes.
Tout changement anti-constitutionnel est interdit de même que tout mode non démocratique d’accession ou de maintien au pouvoir.
La participation populaire aux prises de décision, le strict respect des principes démocratiques, et la décentralisation du pouvoir à tous les niveaux de gouvernement.
L’armée est apolitique et soumise à l’autorité politique régulièrement établie.
L’État est laïc et demeure entièrement neutre.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain exhorte en outre la Guinée au respect des obligations découlant pour elle de la Charte africaine de la Démocratie, des Élections et de la Gouvernance, de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l’Homme et des Peuples et des instruments onusiens de protection des droits de l’homme qu’elle a ratifiés.Le Réseau Libéral Africain continuera à suivre attentivement la situation des droits et libertés fondamentaux en Guinée, au premier rang desquels le droit à la vie, conditionnant la jouissance de tous les autres droits, mais aussi et surtout, le respect des principes démocratiques et de l’État de droit.
Demandes des médias
Gilbert Noël OUEDRAOGO Président par intérim, Réseau Libéral Africain
+226 7064 7117
Ousmane Ben Fana Traoré Vice-président Afrique de l’Ouest, Réseau Libéral Africain
+223 7310 5050
