Media Notice
London/ Cape Town, 23^rd March 2016
Embargo: Immediate
Contact: Tamara Dancheva, Head of Human Rights Programme, Liberal International, +44 20 7839 5905 Luke Akal, ALN Coordinator +27 81 481 3754
 
 
ALN Vice President to address UN Human Rights Council: Burundi needs “rapid deployment of peace-keeping troops”
 
Vice President of the Africa Liberal Network Médard Mulangala – a former contender for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo* – will address the United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 on behalf of the Liberal International and the Africa Liberal Network to draw attention to the escalating humanitarian and political crisis unfolding in neighbouring Burundi.
 
Mr. Mulangala will tell the UN member states that they must:
“exert all of their diplomatic, logistical and financial influence for the rapid deployment of peace-keeping troops to Burundi. The African and international community cannot, and must not, sit by and allow for more violence to take place.”
 
The statement follows the African Union (AU) High Level Delegation of African heads of state to Burundi. The ALN and LI remain highly concerned regarding the lack of tangible outcomes of these meetings and the lack of strong response from the AU. Together, we call for inclusive, peaceful dialogue and the protection of innocent civilians at any cost. It is unacceptable that over 400 lives have been lost under the presidency of Pierre Nkurunziza
 
 
ENDS
 
 
Note to Editors:
 
–          *Mr Medard Mulangala is President of the Union pour la Majorité Républicaine and a leader of the opposition umbrella group, Union Sacree pour l’Alternance, in the Congolese parliament. In 2011, Mr. Mulangala was seen as a leading candidate in the presidential elections in the DRC – a unifying figure who could bring together different groups from Congolese society against Joseph Kabila. During the 2011 campaign, Mr. Mulangala was the first Congolese politician to be interviewed by renowned journalist David Frost on the Al Jazeera English network.
–          The oral statement will be delivered in Salle XX, Palais des Nations, Genève and can be viewed here between 12:00-15:00 (GMT+1).
–          The ALN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the deteriorating situation in Burundi in January 2016. Building on this, LI issued a joint statement with ALN as recently as 27^th February, calling on African leaders to intervene in the crisis.
–           Liberal International (LI) is the world federation of over 100 liberal and progressive democratic political parties and affiliates. LI was founded in 1947 to strengthen liberal protection from totalitarianism and communism. It has since become the pre-eminent network for promoting liberalism, individual freedom, human rights, the rule of law, tolerance, equality of opportunity, social justice, free trade and a market economy.
–           The Africa Liberal Network (ALN) is the largest network of African political parties and the second largest globally, outside Europe. The ALN consists of 47 member parties with the aim promoting Liberal Democratic principles across the African continent by 1) providing a platform for like-minded liberals in Africa to share information, experience, skills, and ideas, and 2) capacitating our member parties with the skills they need to win elections and run governments based on Liberal values.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The ALN is pleased to announce that six members of the Network have qualified to participate in the Youth Political Academy taking place in London from 24-29 March 2016. The Academy is hosted by our partners and friends at the Liberal Democrats.
The ALN members will have the opportunity to take part in actual campaigns, learning and sharing ideas and expertise with fellow young liberals from across the world. The Academy starts with training sessions on constituency campaigning, volunteer mobilisation and diversity outreach. Our participants will then take part in actual referendum campaigns, implementing skills that can win elections!
The Academy also offers the chance for our young liberals to work together on further forming the ALN’s Advisory Youth Council (AYC). The AYC will be the voice of young, dynamic African liberals.
The six participants at the Youth Political Academy are:

• Berlinda Bulley (Ghana)
• Nomzamo Kheswa (South Africa)
• Richard Nii Amarh (Ghana)
• Gaolape Rodrick Mogotsi (Botswana)
• Stenah Shampile (Zambia)
• Jawad Chafil (Morocco)

Our participants will be led and mentored by the ALN’s East Africa Vice President, Rosemary Machua.

Joint Statement of the Africa Liberal Network and Liberal International on the recent African Union High-Level Delegation to Burundi

Olivier Kamitatu
Africa Liberal Network (ALN) President
 
27 February 2016
Release: immediate
The Africa Liberal Network (ALN), the largest political network on the continent consisting of 47 political parties, and Liberal International, the world federation of over 100 liberal and progressive democratic political parties and affiliates, remains deeply concerned over the ongoing crises in Burundi and the urgent need for action by the African and global community.
 
The Africa Liberal Network and broader Liberal International family call on the visiting African heads of state to Burundi to rise to the opportunity and demonstrate to African citizens that they can expect their leaders to deliver political dialogue, rule of law, peace and prosperity. This should be proactively sought and delivered, instead of continuous impunity, authoritarianism, bloodshed and destruction.
 
The African leaders can save thousands of lives of likely innocent victims in Burundi and thereby create genuine hope for millions across the continent. The world community stands ready to support such agenda for a positive change from Africa.
 
We look forward to the release of the communique by the chair of the delegation, South African President Jacob Zuma, tomorrow, which will outline the decisions of the AU delegation to Burundi. It is our expectation that the delegation will produce tangible results aimed at the reduction of violence, increase in constructive and peaceful dialogue, and promotion of stability and democracy for the sake of Burundi and the broader region.
 
A single lost life in the aftermath of the recent High-Level AU mission will be one failure too many for the AU and the continent.
 
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 (0)81 481 3754
 

Africa Liberal Network statement by
Olivier Kamitatu 
Africa Liberal Network President
ALN condemns alleged AU proposal to withdraw from the ICC
 
26 February 2016
 
The Africa Liberal Network (ALN), the largest political network on the continent consisting of 47 political parties, is deeply concerned over the outcome of the recent African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa regarding the matters of alleged withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the ongoing crisis in Burundi.
We strongly denounce the alleged proposal from the AU to encourage its member states to withdraw from the ICC simply to protect the selfish political interests of a few. The ICC is an established institution to which one-third of African states are members, having ratified the Rome Statute in their respective legislatures. It would, therefore, be unconstitutional in many instances to withdraw from the ICC.
The ALN strongly maintains its position adopted at the Network’s 10^th General Assembly in Zanzibar: we encourage full cooperation with the ICC and encourage the fight against impunity and all abuses of human rights. The ICC remains a credible institution through which these goals can be achieved.
The ALN urges the AU to remain firm and committed to the fight against impunity so that the history of oppression and violence may be stamped out from the continent and serve as a warning to those who seek to perpetrate violence against citizens. The ALN and its members believe that justice must be served against those who have committed crimes against humanity, displaced individuals and families, destroyed communities and villages, and led mass murders and genocides.
It is an injustice against the people of Africa for any state to withdraw from the ICC.
The ALN moreover calls for urgent intervention in the ongoing crisis in Burundi. We hold that the important work of the ICC is necessary in order to safeguard the lives of many thousands of Burundians. The AU and the ICC should be working in cooperation to ensure protection and justice for all Africans, which includes the possibility of AU troops on the ground in Burundi.
 
This is a time where the people of Burundi need the support of their fellow Africans. The AU is the vehicle through which we ought to support the innocent and bring an end to the violence through all diplomatic means. The loss of life in Burundi is an atrocity for the entire continent and cannot be accepted. The ALN’s position on the crisis in Burundi is found in a resolution passed at our recent General Assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa.
 
The ALN calls for the AU to lead the struggle against impunity by encouraging members to commit to and cooperate with the ICC.
 
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 (0)81 481 3754

[Texte en français ci-dessous]
Africa Liberal Network statement
ALN condemns allegations against it in Mediapart article
The Africa Liberal Network (ALN), the largest political network on the continent consisting of 47 political parties, condemns the article published in Mediapart here.
The allegation that the ALN aims to “libérer l’Afrique d’une catégorie de presidents” (or “free Africa of a class of Presidents”) with the help of foreign powers is baseless, untrue and misleading. The ALN has never pursued such aims.
Additionally, the suggestion that Mr Rodrigue Cyr Mayanda was sent by MCDDI (Mouvement Congolais Pour la Democratie et le Developpement Integral) in connection with achieving the above accusation in South Africa is also groundless. Mr Cyr Mayanda was, in fact, in South Africa between 27-31 January 2016 to attend the annual ALN General Assembly meeting.
Finally, the ALN has no connection or agreement with any so-called “mercenary training centre” in Middelburg, South Africa, whatsoever.
The ALN calls on Mediapart to withdraw the article and request unconditional apology from the author. Responsible journalism with fact-checking and right of reply should be upheld.
As the largest grouping of liberal parties outside Europe, the ALN exists to strengthen and capacitate our member parties who are ideologically aligned on liberal values. It is these values which we believe can lead us to a prosperous and integrated Africa of flourishing democracies that are at peace with one another.
All members of the network are bound by a policy stating that they exist to ensure the freedom and dignity of all people through establishing political and civil rights, ensuring basic freedoms and the rule of law, supporting democratic governance based on free and fair elections with peaceful transition, ensuring religious, gender and minority rights, fighting corruption and establishing free market economies.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 (0)81 481 3754 | luke.akal@africaliberalnetwork.org
 
Déclaration du Réseau libéral africain (RLA)
Le RLA condamne les allégations émises à son encontre dans un article de Mediapart
Le Réseau libéral africain (RLA), le plus grand réseau politique du continent, comprenant 47 partis politiques, condamne l’article publié dans Mediapart ici.
L’article allègue que le RLA a pour but de « libérer l’Afrique d’une catégorie de présidents » avec l’aide de puissances étrangères, or ces allégations sont infondées, fausses et fallacieuses. Le RLA n’a jamais poursuivi de ce genre d’objectifs.
En outre, l’auteur suggère, mais encore sans fondement, que M. Rodrigue Cyr Mayanda a été envoyé par le MCDDI (Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral) afin de mener à bien les activités qui font l’objet des accusations mentionnées ci-dessus, en Afrique du Sud. M. Cyr Mayanda séjournait, en fait, en Afrique du Sud du 27 au 31 janvier 2016 pour participer aux réunions de l’Assemblée générale annuelle du RLA.
Pour conclure, le RLA n’a absolument aucun lien ni accord avec un soi-disant « centre de mercenariat » quelconque, basé à Middelburg en Afrique du Sud.
Le RLA demande à Mediapart de retirer cet article et demande des excuses inconditionnelles de la part de l’auteur. Il faudrait veiller à faire respecter un journalisme responsable qui s’accompagne d’une vérification des faits et d’un droit de réponse.
Au titre de plus grand regroupement de partis libéraux hors d’Europe, le RLA voue son existence au renforcement des capacités de ses partis membres qui adhèrent, sur le plan idéologique, aux valeurs libérales. Ce sont ces valeurs qui, nous le pensons, pourront nous mener à une Afrique prospère et intégrée avec des démocraties florissantes, en paix les unes avec les autres.
Tous les membres de ce réseau sont tenus de se conformer à une politique prônant qu’ils existent pour garantir la liberté et la dignité de tous les peuples en instaurant les droits politiques et civils, en garantissant les libertés fondamentales et l’état de droit, en soutenant la gouvernance démocratique axée sur des élections libres et équitables assorties d’une transition paisible, en respectant la liberté de religion, l’égalité des sexes et les droits des minorités, en luttant contre la corruption, enfin en mettant en place des économies de libre-échange.
Requêtes des médias :
Luke Akal
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 (0)81 481 3754 | luke.akal@africaliberalnetwork.org

The following statement produced as a result of collaboration and dialogue between ALN members,  MFM (Militants pour le Progrès de Madagascar), and Southern Africa Vice President, Stevens Mokgalapa, at the 12th Annual ALN General Assembly.
 
Madagascar est confrontée à des problèmes de changements climatiques dans sa quête du développement et de la croissance économique. C’est un pays isolé de l’océan Indien occidental. Il subit une dégradation avancée de son environnement et la disparition d’espèces endémiques protégées. Il est également passé par une période de crise sur le plan politique, suivie d’un coup d’État en 2009. Un nouveau régime vient d’être instauré et la population doit lutter contre la pauvreté. Il est crucial de mettre en œuvre une politique de développement durable permettant de sauvegarder l’environnement et de promouvoir la croissance économique en exploitant l’économie bleue.
 
Le MFM en appelle au Réseau libéral africain pour appuyer le Gouvernement de Madagascar de faire appliquer la résolution n° 34/91 adoptée par l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies à la 99e séance plénière du 12 décembre 1979. Il est plus judicieux de suivre les procédures des Nations-Unies en vue de la restitution à la Nation Malagasy les îles Glorieuses, Bassas da India, Juan de Nova et Europa sous l’égide des Nations Unies et de la Communauté Internationale.
 
A l’instar de la sortie de la crise politique de 2009 grâce à la feuille de route, Madagascar doit s’appuyer sur l’aide de l’Unité Africaine, des instances régionales telles que la SADC à l’origine de la feuille de route, à l’Indian Ocean Rim Association et des pays membres du Conseil de Sécurité comme, entre autres, la Russie, les Etats-Unis et la Chine.
Il est plus que souhaitable de voir l’implication du conseil de sécurité dans la résolution du différend entre Madagascar et la France pour la restitution des îles Malagasy.

ALN 12^th Annual General Assembly
Johannesburg, South Africa
30 January 2016
Summary on Winning Elections: Strategies, Policies, and Solutions for Success
The ALN member parties, gathered on this day 30 January 2016, committing themselves to following best practices in Winning Elections: Strategies, Policies, and Solutions for Success.
This document highlights the culmination of expert and delegate involvement in the main subthemes of winning elections. It is a broad framework in which the ALN member parties agree on the key indicators, requirements, and principles for effective electoral performance.

1. Strategic Campaign Management

The key elements of an Election Campaign are:

• Clear Objectives
• Vote Targets
• Campaign Team
• Market Research
• Core Offer and Message
• Campaign Design
• Money (Fundraising)
• Execution, Monitoring and Evaluation (Via “War Room”) Clear Objectives
• Vote Targets
• Campaign Team
• Market Research
• Core Offer and Message
• Campaign Design
• Money (Fundraising)
• Execution, Monitoring and Evaluation (Via “War Room”)

 
In order to prepare a clear campaign message, one has to be very clear on your strategic objectives and have a very good understanding of your target market.
Market research is key in this respect, both qualitative and quantitative. Your market research process should start with a series of representative focus groups to refine the questions and directions of a broader quantitative survey. The full process will generate a defined market that you should be targeting and what the critical needs of that target market are.
On the basis of that initial research, you should develop a core election message or value proposition that meets the following requirements:

1. Philosophically aligned: Consistent with the core beliefs of the party or candidate;
2. An actual promise: Something concrete a political party will do;
3. Credible: The market must believe we will keep our promises and can do what we offer;
4. Differentiated: The message must be something different from what other parties offer;
5. Aligned with the critical needs of the market: The message must be something voters really want – and intersect with their values.

Once the election promise is decided upon, it is ideal to test it and various executions using market research to hone it even further and identify the vehicles and platforms to best deliver it in volume over the duration of the campaign. e a clear campaign message, one has to be very clear on your strategic objectives and have a very good understanding of your target market.
 

2. Youth Mobilisation

Youth seek to make a social impact through any political activity. A contribution to the community as at the centre of youth involvement in politics and the implementation of liberal ideology.
Social media is a critical tool in the interaction with and mobilisation of the youth. Connection with the youth via social media requires critical engagement as opposed to advertising. It is noted that this engagement requires appealing to the values of the target market and providing messaging with which the market resonates.
Key roles should be assigned to youth in political activities and campaigning. This involves the utilisation of a full database of activists and volunteers, in which each individual fulfils a role specific and unique to their capabilities.
The number one barrier or challenge or young people to get involve in political parties is the cost. Often events with elected officials or leaders are restricted to donors, often pricing out young people. Too often political parties rely on young people as volunteers, with little in return. The number one barrier or challenge or young people to get involve in political parties is the cost.
Often events with elected officials or leaders are restricted to donors, often pricing out young people.
Free open access to elected official and party events is the first step in breaking down the barriers of long term engagement of young people in a political party.
 

3. Party Manifestos – Best Practice in Communicating Policies

A manifesto is a summary of a party’s policy platform. It encapsulates the party’s principles and priorities, and sets out those policies and plans that the party would implement in government. Manifestos are important because they show voters what a party thinks & cares about most:

• Principles = what we believe in
• Priorities = what we care about
• Positions = where we stand on key issues
• Plans = what we will do in government

A manifesto is usually clustered into different policy areas or themes. The policy priorities are crystallised into an offer – based on a series of pledges – which usually forms the basis of the campaign slogan.
You need a communications strategy to convey the offer “on message, in volume, over time” through various media.
Party manifestos should be communicated through the following channels:
Earned (Free) Media:

• Reports on campaign events/ speeches etc.

Paid Media (Direct Marketing):

• Posters
• Pamphlets
• Billboards
• TV Adverts
• Radio Adverts

Online/Social Media:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• You Tube
• Mobi
• Website
  • Online Engagement Forums

Focus groups are a good way to test your messages with voters. They can help to give you valuable insight into which messages and methods of delivery are likely to be effective.
Polling – a sampling or collection of opinions on a subject, taken from either a selected or a random group of persons for the purpose of analysis – is another useful tool.
 

4. Voter Outreach –Success in Volunteerism, Activism and Canvassing

A ground game program includes how a party engages directly with voters through personal conversations in the community and online/on mobile. A ground game generally has these elements:

• Direct Voter Contact: An infrastructure that has conversations about the party, issues, candidates, and election directly with voters whether in person, on the phone, or online.
• Organizing: An approach to engage strong supporters and bring them into action doing direct voter contact and further engaging other supporters.
• Data Tracking: A system to track which both supporters and voters. This system captures information from all actions taken by supporters and all interactions with voters.

 
It is important to provide training for those having ground game conversations with voters so they can have maximally effective conversations.  The most effective conversations are when supporters connect with voters on shared values.  The supporter connects the values they share with the voters to the values of the party.
An effective rubric for supporter conversations with voters is:
a. Acknowledge & Relate: Ask the voter what is concerning them in their community. Listen, and acknowledge your concerns.  You might share a similar concern you have, or a personal experience that illustrates how you’ve experienced similar concerns.
b. Connect on Values: The supporter should share what values of the party cause her to support the party’s position.  The supporter should highlight values that she expects the voter to share.  This should relate to one of the core messages
c. Give Policy Examples: The supporter should then choose an example of how the party’s policies and actions manifest its values.  This can be a policy accomplishment or a policy plan for the future.
d. Draw Contrast: Finally, the supporter should define the choice the voter has to make between two parties or two different actions by drawing contrast with the alternative.  This can be the alternative party or what will happen if no action is taken.
The party’s main message should be a reflection of the party’s values and policy priorities.  Polling can help determine how to best talk about an issue with voters, and help understand how to connect the party’s values with the voters’ priorities.  However, it should not be used for trying to determine how the party stands on issues.  The party’s values are drawn from the shared beliefs of its members on what policy approach is best for the country.
When translating the party’s values and policy priorities into message for the ground game it is important to:

• Relate policy priorities back to values that resonate with voters.
• Choose easy-to-remember language that is concise but evocative
• Focus on one key message that is reiterated repeatedly, and which can hold the top policy priorities of the party

Once your message is chosen, it is important to consistently echo the message in multiple media, whether candidate speeches, press events with party leaders, online content, flyers/ mail, or conversations with voters at the doors and on the phones.
Personal conversations with voters is the most effective way to move a voter to support and to action – but it can also be one of the most challenging.  However, while ads or press attention and even flyers or mail can help to inform the voter, nothing is more effective at ensuring they will support and will vote than a personal conversation.  Building an infrastructure with enough staff to have enough conversations with voters to win, is incredibly expensive. This is why it is so important to engage and build a volunteer organization.
Building a volunteer organization takes investment in staff to identify, train, and develop party volunteers who can take on increasing responsibility in their local communities.  Elements of a powerful volunteer organization include:

1. Developing volunteers to become leaders of other volunteers
2. Consistent communication about strategy and tactics to create consistency in program
3. Diligent tracking of data related to volunteer actions (as well as voter interactions)
4. Emphasis on building personal relationships between staff organizers and volunteer supporters, as well as among volunteers working together

Résolution 1
Proposed by all DRC representatives of the ALN
Le Réseau Libéral Africain est extrêmement préoccupé par le contexte politique en République Démocratique du Congo et particulièrement par le retard observé par le pouvoir dans le processus d’organisation des élections législatives et présidentielles prévues normalement, au terme de la constitution, en novembre 2016.
Les préoccupations de Réseau Libéral Africain se fondent sur :
1. La non publication du calendrier électoral par la CENI (Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante) conformément aux délais constitutionnels.
 
2. La volonté manifeste du pouvoir d’outrepasser la CENI, seule et unique institution compétente en matières électorales, en envisageant d’instaurer un Dialogue entre les acteurs politiques et la société civile pour traiter et décider des problématiques inhérentes au processus électoral en lieu et place de la structure compétente à savoir la tripartite : CENI – Opposition – Majorité. Ceci est une fuite en avant pour créer, de manière artificielle et tendancielle, les conditions de la non tenue des élections dans les délais constitutionnels, communément appelés aussi Stratégie de Glissement en RDC.
 
3. La non mise en oeuvre par la coalition au pouvoir des engagements internationaux notamment l’Accord cadre d’Addis-Abeba et les Résolutions 2098 et 2211 du Conseil de Sécurité des Nations Unies qui prônent notamment la recherche d’un consensus politique par le Dialogue inclusif entre les parties prenantes en ce qui concerne les questions électorales.
 
En accord avec les organisations internationales (EU, Nations Unies, …) qui déplorent et dénoncent les stratagèmes du pouvoir qui risquent de conduire la République démocratique du Congo dans une situation de Chaos dont la population congolaise n’a pas besoin. Le Réseau Libéral Africain joint sa voie à ces organisations pour :
1. Condamner la stratégie du pouvoir de dédoubler, de manière artificielle et systématique, les partis politiques non favorables au glissement. Cette confusion dans l’espace politique ne participe pas au renforcement de la jeune démocratie congolaise
 
2. Fustiger le fait que l’accès aux médias publics est refusé aux partis politiques favorables au respect de la constitution et toute organisation sociale opposée au dialogue souhaité par le pouvoir.
 
3. Condamner la radicalisation du pouvoir qui veut coûte que coûte organiser un Dialogue en dehors de l’esprit et la lettre de l’Accord Cadre et des Résolutions du Conseil de Sécurité sus mentionnés.
 
De ce qui précède, Le Réseau Libéral Africain :
1. Souhaite la mise en oeuvre immédiate des dispositions contenues dans l’accord cadre d’Addis-Abeba et dans les Résolutions 2098 et 2211 du Conseil de sécurité relatives au processus électoral en RDC
 
2. Apporte son soutien total et ferme aux partis politiques et associations qui soutiennent et défendent le respect de la constitution et de l’organisation des élections dans les délais constitutionnels
 
3. Lance un appel au Président Joseph Kabila à respecter son serment constitutionnel et à faciliter la passation pacifique du pouvoir à la fin de son mandat.
 
4. Encourage et Félicite Monsieur Olivier Kamitatu, en sa qualité du Président de Réseau Libéral Africain, pour l’excellent travail réalisé dans la défense et la promotion des valeurs partagées par les libéraux en Afrique en generale, et en particulier, en République Démocratique du Congo où il est à la pointe d’un combat républicain et exemplaire pour le respect de la constitution et pour une alternance démocratique apaisée à la suite d’élections crédibles.
 
Ainsi fait à Johannesburg, le 29 janvier 2016
 
Résolution 2
Proposée par Sibusiso Dlamini, AUDP, Swaziland

• Étant donné que la Constitution démocratique multipartite du Royaume du Swaziland a été abrogée par le Roi Sobhuza II, par la proclamation royale n° 12 de 1973, pour éviter que le Swaziland ne connaisse les troubles civils qui avaient déjà secoué la plupart des pays africains ;

• Étant donné qu’à compter du 12 avril 1973 et jusqu’au 6juillet 2005, le Swaziland était régi par le décret royal de 1973 et que, le 6 juillet 2005, le Roi Mswati III a accepté et signé la Constitution démocratique multipartite ;

• Étant donné que le Gouvernement du Swaziland s’obstine à mal interpréter la loi n° 1 de 2005 de la Constitution du Royaume du Swaziland, en particulier la section 79, afin de violer la déclaration des droits inscrits dans la constitution et, ainsi, d’interdire les élections multipartites, le Parlement démocratique multipartite, et la formation d’un gouvernement par les partis politiques ;

• Étant donné que la section 84, 95(2) de la Constitution autorise la représentation des groupes désignés ou des groupes marginalisés au Parlement, la Constitution n’interdisant pas les partis politiques ni les groupes politiques, et que la section 25 de la Constitution du Swaziland permet la création de partis politiques dans ce pays ;

• Étant donné que le Gouvernement du Swaziland dispute de vastes portions de terres aux colons d’Afrique du Sud et du Mozambique, et que les droits de l’homme de millions de personnes de l’ethnie swazi ont été grossièrement bafoués, en particulier, leurs droits à l’autodétermination, en violation de la Déclaration sur l’octroi de l’indépendance aux pays et aux peuples coloniaux ;

 
Le Réseau libéral africain demande au Gouvernement du Royaume du Swaziland :
 

1. de défendre et de faire appliquer, dans sa totalité, la loi n° 1 de 2005 de la Constitution du Swaziland ;
2. d’adopter un statut qui permette l’enregistrement, le fonctionnement et le financement des partis politiques du Swaziland, conformément à la section 25(4) ;
3. de promulguer une loi électorale qui instaure la démocratie multipartite au Swaziland ;
4. d’adopter la mise en application de la loi parlementaire pour permettre à un parlement multipartite de bien fonctionner ;
5. de mettre fin à toutes les poursuites pénales à l’encontre des membres des divers organes étatiques, à savoir le pouvoir judiciaire, parlementaire et exécutif, et d’abandonner, sans condition, tous les chefs d’accusation en matière pénale qui pèsent sur l’ensemble des personnes arrêtées au Swaziland pour vouloir faire progresser la démocratie et l’état de droit ;
6. de protéger et de promouvoir la paix et la sécurité, de créer un environnement propice à des activités politiques libres, à la libre entreprise, à l’économie de marché ouverte et à la libéralisation du commerce ;
7. de faire appliquer l’ensemble des conventions, traités, protocoles, déclarations, mémorandums, accords et politiques ratifiés par le Swaziland aux niveaux régional et international ;
8. d’entreprendre des actions constructives avec les Gouvernements sud-africain et mozambicain, pour la restitution des terres au Gouvernement du Swaziland.

 
Résolution 3
Proposée par Stevens Mokgalapa, Democratic Alliance, Afrique du Sud

• Reconnaissant le rôle important que joue la Cour pénale internationale (CPI) au sein de la communauté internationale en assurant la justice et la protection des droits de l’homme ;

• Prenant acte du récent déferlement de propos tenus par les leaders africains sur les poursuites prétendument sélectives de leaders africains et de la menace lancée par l’Union africaine (UA) d’inciter ses États membres à se retirer de la CPI ;

 
Les partis libéraux du continent africain, globalement, se sont engagés à œuvrer de concert avec ladite CPI pour défendre la justice et la paix et à veiller à ce que les violations des droits
de l’homme ne restent pas impunies, dans toute l’Afrique et dans le monde entier. Le Réseau libéral africain :
 

1. condamne les violations atroces et persistantes des droits de l’homme et la violence politique qui prévalent encore dans de nombreux pays d’Afrique ;
2. prend note, avec inquiétude, de l’invitation lancée par le Gouvernement d’Afrique du Sud à Omar Al Bashir, le Président du Soudan, pendant le sommet de l’UA de juin 2015, et ce en dépit de l’ordre d’arrestation ultérieur émis par la Haute Cour de Justice du Nord Gauteng ;
3. demande à tous les partis membres de réitérer leur soutien à la CPI et invite l’UA à revoir l’appel lancé à ses membres les incitant à se retirer de ladite Cour.

 
Résolution 4
Proposée par Médard Mulangala Lwakabwanga, UMR, République Démocratique du Congo

• Considérant que la crise politique actuelle au Burundi tire son origine dans la divergence d’interprétation et du respect strict par les protagonistes politiques burundais des dispositions relatives au nombre de mandat du Président de la République contenu dans l’Accord d’ARUSHA pour la Paix et la Réconciliation au Burundi signé  le 29 aout 2000 et la Constitution du Burundi du 18 mars 2005 ;

• Constatant que ce cadre légal mis en place est le fruit d’âpres négociations ayant abouti à un compromis politique historique qui avait permis au Burundi de faire un pas considérable dans la consolidation de la paix et la démocratisation et que cette divergence d’interprétation et du non-respect de son contenu compromet dangereusement les acquis de l’Accord d’Arusha ;

• Notant avec regret que toutes les initiatives engagées par la CEA, l’UA, l’UE, les USA, l’ONU appelant les protagonistes politiques de s’asseoir ensemble pour organiser des élections libres, transparentes, inclusives n’ont pas été prise en compte et se sont heurtées à un fait de non-recevoir de la part du Parti présidentiel le CNDD-FDD et de la personne du Président de la République ;

• Déplorant que ce refus catégorique d’engager un dialogue pour trouver des solutions durables au conflit politique relatif au 3ème mandat du Président Nkurunziza s’est soldé par des actes de violence caractérisés par des tueries sélectives à caractère génocidaire, des enlèvements et des disparitions forcées, des exécutions extrajudiciaires, des arrestations et des emprisonnements arbitraires des opposants, l’exil forcé des leaders politiques et de la population, les violences sexuelles contre les femmes et les jeunes filles des quartiers contestataires comme instrument de vengeance et d’humiliation utilisé par certains éléments de la police, les miliciens Imbonerakure et Interahamwe, la destruction méchante et la fermeture des médias, la fermeture des comptes et la suspension de certaines organisations de la société civile qui s’inscrivent en faux au 3ème mandat ;

• Reconnaissant que la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante a organisé en 2015 des élections dans des conditions porteuses des germes de conflit et que le processus avait été boycotté par l’opposition en retirant ses candidatures et que les résultats de ces élections ont été rejetés par l’opposition burundaise, une bonne partie de la société civile burundaise et la communauté internationale;

• Confirmant que la candidature et l’élection du Président Nkurunziza n’étaient conformes ni à la constitution ni à l’Accord d’Arusha;

• Convaincu que la persistance de cette crise politique risque d’embrasser toute la sous-région de l’Afrique central notamment par le flux migratoire vers les pays voisins et la recrudescence de mouvements insurrectionnels avec des conséquences graves sur la sécurité, la stabilité et le développement dans la Région des Grands Lacs;

• Saluant à sa juste valeur l’initiative de la Communauté de l’Afrique de l’Est de confier la médiation du conflit burundais au Président ougandais, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ;

 
Le Réseau Libéral Africain propose les résolutions suivantes susceptibles de mettre fin à cette impasse politique qui n’a que trop dure:
 

1. Le Gouvernement doit prendre toutes les dispositions pour mettre fin à la violence et, ce faisant, promouvoir un climat de confiance réciproque entre les burundais ;
2. Le médiateur du conflit burundais le Président Ougandais Yoweri Kaguta Museveni doit tout mettre en œuvre pour engager sans faux fuyants les protagonistes politiques (civils et mouvements armés) à s’engager dans les plus délais dans un dialogue franc, sincère et inclusif pour trouver des solutions durables pour la restauration de la démocratie, la paix et le développement harmonieux du Burundi. A cet effet le médiateur doit s’entourer d’une équipe d’experts nationaux et internationaux neutres qui maitrisent les enjeux et les intérêts des protagonistes nationaux et internationaux  autour du conflit burundais afin qu’ils puissent faciliter à trouver des compromis entre protagonistes qui répondent aux aspirations réelles de la population.
3. Le Parti au pouvoir et ses alliés, l’opposition politique regroupé au sein du CNARED, les mouvements armés déclarés et en gestation, la société civile du Burundi dans toutes ses composantes doivent s’engager dans un dialogue franc, sincère et inclusif pour trouver des solutions durables favorables au retour de la paix, la démocratie et le développement durable dans les plus brefs délais;
4. A l’Union africaine d’envoyer dans les plus brefs délais la MAPROBU chargé du maintien de la paix et de la protection des civils au Burundi;
5. A l’ONU d’apporter tout son appui diplomatique, logistique et financier pour le déploiement rapide de la MAPROBU ;
6. A la Cour pénal internationale et aux autres juridictions nationales et régionales de déclencher les mécanismes d’instruction et de poursuites judiciaires contre les présumés auteurs, et des exécutants des crimes contre l’humanité tels que les crimes de guerre, les actes de génocide, des exécutions extra judiciaires, des enlèvements et des disparitions forcées, des tortures et des emprisonnements ;
7. A la société civile nationale, régionale et internationale en général et des organisations de défense des droits de la personne humaine en particulier de rassembler les preuves, les noms des victimes et des prisonniers politiques.

RESOLUTION 1
Proposed by all DRC representatives of the ALN
The Africa Liberal Network is extremely concerned by the political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and particularly by the delay observed on the part of the government in the process of holding the Parliamentary and presidential elections, which are scheduled to be held, in terms of the constitution, in November 2016.
The concerns of the Africa Liberal Network are based on:

1. The failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to publish the electoral timetable in accordance with the constitutional deadlines.
2. The manifest desire of the government to override CENI, the sole and single institution competent in electoral affairs, by planning to establish a Dialogue between the political actors and civil society to consider and make decisions concerning the problems inherent in the electoral process, in place of the competent tripartite structure, i.e.: CENI – Opposition – Majority. This represents a hasty attempt to create, in an artificial and biased way, the conditions to ensure that the elections are not held within the constitutional deadlines, also commonly known as a stratégie de glissement (playing for time) in DRC.
3. The failure of the coalition in power to implement international commitments, including notably the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement and United Nations Security Council resolutions 2098 and 2211, which advocate, in particular, seeking a political consensus by means of an inclusive dialogue between the parties concerned with respect to electoral issues.

 
In agreement with the international organisations (EU, United Nations, etc.) which deplore and denounce the stratagems of the government which is risking leading the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a situation of chaos which the Congolese population does not need, the Africa Liberal Network adds its voice to these organisations to:

1. Condemn the strategy of the government to split, artificially and systematically, those political parties opposed to its attempts to play for time. This confusion in the political space is not helping to strengthen Congolese democracy, still in its early stages.
2. Censure the fact that access to public media is denied to the political parties that support the respecting of the constitution and any social organisation opposed to the Dialogue which the government wants to hold.
3. Condemn the radicalisation of the government, which wishes at all costs to organise a Dialogue which does not adhere to the spirit and the letter of the Framework Agreement and Security Council resolutions mentioned above.

 
Consequent upon the above, the Africa Liberal Network:

1. Wishes to see the immediate implementation of the provisions contained in the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement and in Security Council resolutions 2098 and 2211 on the electoral process in the DRC.
2. Offers its total and unwavering support to the political parties and associations which support and defend respect for the Constitution and the organisation of the elections within the constitutional deadlines.
3. Appeals to President Joseph Kabila to respect his constitutional oath and to facilitate the peaceful transfer of power at the end of his term of office.
4. Encourages and congratulates Mr. Olivier Kamitatu, in his capacity as President of the Africa Liberal Network, for the excellent work done to defend and promote the values shared by liberals in Africa in general and, in particular, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he is in the thick of a republican and exemplary struggle to ensure the respect of the constitution and a peaceful democratic transition following the outcome of credible elections.

 
RESOLUTION 2
Proposed by Stevens Mokgalapa MP, Vice President Southern Africa

• Given that the Multiparty Democratic Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland was repealed by King Sobhuza II, through King’s Proclamation No.12 of 1973, as he intended to avoid civil violence that might have engulfed Swaziland, which had already engulfed most African Countries ;

• Given that from the 12th April 1973, Swaziland was ruled by the 1973 Royal Decree until 6th July, 2005 and that on 6th July, 2005, King Mswati III assented to and signed a Multiparty Democratic Constitution ;

• Given that the Government of Swaziland has been misinterpreting the constitution of Kingdom of Swaziland Act No.1 of 2005, in particular Section 79, so as to violate the constitutionally enshrined Bill of Rights, and to prohibit multiparty elections, multiparty democratic parliament, and formation of government by political parties ;

• Given that Section 84, 95(2) of the Constitution allows group representation or marginalised group representation in Parliament, the Constitution does not prevent political parties or political groups, and Section 25 of the Constitution of Swaziland allows the existence of political parties in Swaziland ;

• Given that the Government of Swaziland is in dispute of large portions of land, that was ceased during colonial rule, and fundamental human rights of millions of Swazi People were grossly violated, in particular, their rights to self-determination, in violation of Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples ;

The Africa Liberal Network calls upon Government of Kingdom of Swaziland to :

1. Uphold and fully implement the Constitution of Swaziland Act No.1 of 2005.

2. Enact a statute that enables the registration, operation and funding of political parties in Swaziland, in terms of Section 25(4).
3. Enact an electoral law that allows multiparty democracy in Swaziland.
4. Enact an Establishment of Parliament Act to enable the operation of multiparty Parliament.
5. Stop all criminal prosecutions against members of the Judiciary, Parliament, and Executive branches of Government, and unconditionally withdraw all criminal charges against all people arrested in Swaziland for advancing democracy and the rule of law.
6. Protect and promote peace and security, create an environment that is conducive for free political activities, free enterprise, open market economy and trade liberalization.
7. Implement all Regional and International Conventions, Treaties, Protocols, Declarations, Memorandums, Agreements, Policies to which Swaziland is a signatory.
8. Positively engage with South African and Mozambican Government with a view to engage on the issue of restoration of land.

 
Resolution 3
Proposed by Stevens Mokgalapa, Democratic Alliance, South Africa

• Recognizing the important function that the ICC plays in the global community by ensuring justice and protection of human rights;

• Acknowledging the recent descend by African leaders on the alleged selective prosecution of African leaders and the threat by the African Union to encourage the member states’ withdrawal from the ICC;

 
Liberal parties across the African continent are committed to working together with the ICC to uphold justice and peace, and to ensure that human rights abuses do not go unpunished, across the African continent and worldwide. The Africa Liberal Network:
 

1. Condemns the continued human rights atrocities and political violence that is still prevalent in many African countries
2. Notes with concern the South African government’s invitation of Omar Al Bashir, the President of Sudan, to the AU summit in June 2015, and the subsequent disregard of a court order to arrest him, issued by the Gauteng North High Court
3. Calls on all member parties to reemphasize their support for the ICC, and calls on the AU to reconsider its encouragement for its members to withdraw from the ICC.

 
Resolution 4
Proposed by Médard Mulangala Lwakabwanga, UMR, Democratic Republic of Congo
– Considering  that the current crisis in Burundi originates in the differences in interpretation and strict respect by the Burundian political protagonists of the provisions on the number of mandates of the President of the Republic contained in the ARUSHA Peace and Reconciliation Agreement signed on  29 August 2000 and the Constitution of Burundi of 18 March 2005;
 
– Realising  that this legal framework in place is the fruit of intense negotiations which resulted in an historic political compromise which had enabled Burundi to take a significant step towards the consolidation of peace and democratisation and that these differences in interpretation and failure to respect its contents is dangerously compromising the achievements of the Arusha Agreement;
 
– Noting  with regret that all the initiatives undertaken by ECA, AU, EU, USA and UN calling on the political protagonists to sit down together to organise free, transparent and inclusive elections have not been heeded and have come up against the failure to respond by the Presidential Party CNDD-FDD and the person of the President of the Republic.
 
– Deploring  the fact that this categorical refusal to engage in a dialogue to find sustainable solutions to the political conflict relating to the 3^rd term of office of President NKURUNZIZA has been compounded by acts of violence characterised by selective killings, abductions and forced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of opponents, forced exile of the popular political leaders, sexual violence against the women and girls of the dissenting districts as an instrument of vengeance and humiliation used by certain elements of the police, the militias close to the coalition government, wanton destruction and closing down of the media, the closure of accounts and suspension of certain organisations of civil society which are challenging the 3^rd term of office;
 
– Recognising  that in 2015 the Independent National Electoral Commission organised elections under conditions carrying the seeds of conflict and that the process had been boycotted by the opposition by withdrawing its candidates and that the results of these elections were rejected by the Burundian opposition, a large section of Burundian civil society and the international community;
 
– Confirming  that the candidacy and election of President Nkurunziza did not comply with either the constitution or the Arusha agreements;
 
– Convinced  that this political crisis could inflame the whole central African subregion particularly through the migratory flow towards neighbouring countries and the escalation of rebel movements with grave consequences for security, stability and development in the Great Lakes Region;
 
– Greatly welcoming  the initiative of the East Africa Community to entrust the mediation of the Burundian conflict to the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni;
 
The Africa Liberal Network proposes the following resolutions capable of putting an end to this political deadlock which has lasted far too long:

1. The Government must take all necessary steps to put an end to the violence and, by so doing, promote a climate of mutual trust between Burundians;
2. The mediator of the Burundian conflict, the Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, must do everything in his power to commit the political protagonists without reservation (civil and armed movements) to engage as soon as possible in a frank, sincere and inclusive dialogue to find sustainable solutions for the restoration of democracy, peace and harmonious development in Burundi. To this end, the mediator must surround himself with a team of neutral national and international experts who have a full understanding of the issues and interests of the national and international protagonists around the Burundian conflict so that they can facilitate the finding of compromises between protagonists which fulfil the genuine aspirations of the population.
3. The Party in power and its allies, the political opposition grouped within CNARED, the declared armed movements, and those being formed, Burundian civil society in all its elements must engage in a frank, sincere and inclusive dialogue to find sustainable solutions promoting the return of peace, democracy, and sustainable development as quickly as possible;
4. It is the responsibility of the African Union to send as soon as possible MAPROBU tasked with maintaining the peace and protection of civilians in Burundi;
5. It is the responsibility of the UN to exert all of its diplomatic, logistical and financial influence for the rapid deployment of MAPROBU,
6. It is the responsibility of the International Criminal Court and the other national and regional courts to set in motion the mechanisms of investigation and criminal prosecution against the alleged authors and perpetrators of crimes against humanity such as war crimes, extrajudicial executions, abductions and forced disappearances, torture and imprisonment,
7. It is the responsibility of national, regional and international civil society in general and the organisations for the defence of human rights in particular to assemble the proofs, names of the victims and of the political prisoners.