The Africa Liberal Network General Assembly, meeting in Kinshasa from 20-24 October 2011, following numerous meetings with their members and other local and international political figures, has come to the following conclusions on the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
– Taking into account the absence of a census;
– Taking into account the revision of the constitution, amending the format of the presidential election;
– Taking into account the delay in different steps relating to the electoral process, notably registration, publication of electoral lists including the parliamentary candidates, which have been detrimental to the electoral process and resulted in delays as publicised by the CENI;
– Taking into account the concerns about the security of elections, candidates and voters and the presence of uncontrolled foreign armed groups on Congolese soil
Given the above, the ALN recommends that all partners and all political and social forces involved in the electoral process in the DRC initiate a dialogue that can ensure a credible election, held in a peaceful environment and a stable post-election period.
Invites the authorities and all political actors to be part of a peace process, and particularly government authorities to guarantee the security of the electoral process and the Congolese people.

The Liberal Democrats were proud to welcome five prominent African women politicians to their Annual Party Conference in Birmingham, from 16-21 September 2011. The delegates met with Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg MP, in addition to other senior figures from the party including Party President, Tim Farron MP, and former leader of the party in the House of Lords, Baroness (Shirley) Williams.
The delegation was led by Hon. Alice Nzomukunda; Africa Liberal Network Vice-President for Central Africa, Leader of ADR, and former Vice-President of Burundi. The delegation also included participants in previous ALN Gender Workshops, Hon. Regina Alcindor from the Seychelles National Party and Mrs Ashura Mustapha from Civic United Front, Tanzania.
They were joined by Hon. Rachel Shebesh MP, representing the Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya, and Mrs Sophia Deressa, Vice-President of the Ethiopian Democratic Party. Hon. Alice Nzomukunda addressed the conference delegates, speaking on a panel with former Party Leader, Lord (Paddy) Ashdown, Chair of the International Affairs Committee, Martin Horwood MP, and Vice-Chair of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Prof. Myles Wickstead.
During her speech, she thanked the Liberal Democrats for their support for her party and drew attention to recent violence in Burundi. In addition to attending policy debates and receiving briefings from senior Government Ministers, the delegates also met with and Chair of the International Development Select Committee, Malcolm Bruce MP, and Lord (William) Wallace, Spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which gave them the opportunity discuss government policy toward their own countries.
In the margins of the conference, the delegates met with senior women from national, regional and local government including Minister for Equalities, Lynne Featherstone MP, Leader of the London Assembly Group, Caroline Pidegon AM, and Birmingham Councillors Sue Anderson and Karen Hamilton.
The delegates had an opportunity to learn how the Liberal Democrats are organised during a meeting with former CEO, Lord (Chris) Rennard. Finally, the participants were able to discuss their integration in the liberal family with Robert Woodthorpe-Browne, Chair of the International Relations Committee and Emil Kirjas Secretary-General of Liberal International, and Catherine Bearder MEP.
Following a meeting with the delegates, Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Governor on the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, commented: “I was delighted to meet with the delegates and to welcome them to our conference. I was particularly interested to hear the comparisons which they made with their own parties and countries. It is clear that such inward visits contribute to building capacity among women politicians in Africa, and we look forward to following-up this work through the Africa Liberal Network. I will take up some of the issues which we discussed at the ALN General Assembly in Kinshasa this October which I am really looking forward to attending.”

Le Réseau Libéral Africain a suivi avec une attention toute particulière la situation socio politique au Sénégal, caractérisée par le débat sur le projet de modification de la constitution créant « un ticket présidentiel (Président et Vice-président) et l’introduction d’un quart bloquant, aboutissant à l’élection du Président de la République avec seulement 25% des suffrages exprimés. »
Dans cette crise sérieuse, Dr Mamadou Lamine BÂ, Ministre au Cabinet du Président de la République chargé des Relations Internationales et Humanitaires, par ailleurs Président du Réseau Libéral Africain et Vice-président de l’International Libérale, n’a pas hésité à prendre parti en s’opposant à la réalisation de ce projet conflictuel.
Depuis lors, Dr Mamadou Lamine BÂ est démis de ses fonctions de ministre.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain :
– salue le revirement du Président Wade qui a finalement retiré le projet de loi contesté pour éviter au Sénégal une rupture d’avec la Démocratie que son parti, le Parti Démocratique Sénégalais, membre du Réseau Libéral Africain et de L’International Libérale a contribué à porter sur les fonts baptismaux en Afrique.
– Demande au Président Abdoulaye Wade de faire preuve d’indulgence et de compréhension envers Dr Mamadou Lamine BÂ qui, pétri grâce à ses soins des valeurs libérales telles que la liberté d’expression, n’a pas voulu déroger aux principes du libéralisme dont il a toujours fait la promotion dans les organisations internationales où il représente dignement le PDS.
– souhaite que le Sénégal, sous la conduite de son parti membre, le PDS, préserve à tout prix la démocratie qui lui a toujours permis d’être à l’abri des conflits dramatiques qu’ont malheureusement expérimentés plusieurs pays de la sous région et qui ont retardé leur envol vers le développement durable.
Abidjan, le 18 Juillet 2011
Pour le RLA, la Vice-présidente
Chargée de l’Afrique de l’Ouest
Mme KABA FOFANA

The Africa Liberal Network has followed with close attention the socio-political situation in Senegal, centred around the debate on the proposed constitutional amendment creating “a presidential ticket (President and Vice-President) and the introduction of quarter threshold, which would lead to the election of the President of the Republic with only 25% of the vote.”
In this serious crisis, Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, Minister in the Office of the President of the Republic resposible for International and Humanitarian Affairs, additionally President of the Africa Liberal Network and Vice-President of Liberal International, did not hesitate to take a stand and opposed the implementation of this controversial project.
Soon afterwards, Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ was removed from his ministerial duties.
The Africa Liberal Network:
– Welcomes the reconsideration of President Wade, who finally withdrew the controversial bill in Senegal to avoid a break with the democratic values which his Senegalese Democratic Party, member of the Africa Liberal Network and of Liberal International, has contributed to Africa.
– Request President Abdoulaye Wade to be lenient and understanding of
Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ who treasures dearly liberal values such as freedom of expression, and who could not ignore the principles of liberalism which he has always promoted in international organizations where he represents the PDS
– Wishes that Senegal, under the leadership of its member party, the PDS, preserve at all costs the democracy which has enabled the country to avoid the dramatic conflicts which have unfortunately blighted several countries in the subregion, delaying their path to sustainable development.
Abidjan, 18 July 2011
For the ALN, Vice President
Responsible for West Africa
Ms. KABA FOFANA

The Constitutional Court of Seychelles has declared the dissolution of the National Assembly on July 12, 2011, unconstitutional and ordered Speaker Patrick Herminie to proceed forthwith with reconvening the Assembly.
In an urgent session on Monday July 18, a three member Court with Judges Karunakaran, Renaud and Dodin took the petition filed by SNP legal counsel Bernard Georges in the name of two members, Nicholas Prea and Jean-Francois Ferrari. The petition averred that the dissolution was illegal because a critical provision of the Constitution, Article 111, had not been followed. This article required that a motion for dissolution of the Assembly could only be taken up in a meeting specially called for the purpose. The petition filed by Mr. Georges submitted that the motion had been taken as part of the ordinary session on Tuesday, and that members had not been informed beforehand that the matter was to be considered.
At the same time, the Court took up a similar petition filed by Parti Lepep MNA Clifford André, seeking the same declaration. This totally unprecedented move by a Parti Lepep MNA against an action by his own party had obviously been brought to take some attention away from the SNP petition. Clifford André had himself voted in favour of dissolution, together with all other members of his party. His decision to file a petition against the decision shows a complete contradiction and confusion of the members of Parti Lepep.
In a unanimous decision, the Court was categorical that the Constitutional requirement for dissolution had not been followed and the resolution had to be reversed immediately. The Court ruling shows Speaker Patrick Herminie to have been entirely in the wrong in allowing the motion for dissolution brought by Leader of Government Business, Marie-Lousie Potter. Herminie has repeatedly shown poor judgement and a lack of understanding of his role as Speaker. The SNP has now called for his resignation as Speaker.
July 18, 2011

The Seychelles National Party condems the illegal dissolution of the National Assembly in the session of Tuesday July 12, 2011, and the blatant disregard for the Constitution which this manoeuvre represents.
Article 111 of the Constitution, under which the Assembly has been declared dissolved, states clearly that dissolution can only be tabled at a meeting “summoned for the purpose”. This obviously calls for a special meeting, with the motion for dissolution indicated on the Order Paper for the meeting. The intention of the article is clearly to give notice to all members that dissolution is to be considered, and to give all members the right to speak and vote on the motion. The resolution in an ordinary session without notice of the motion makes the dissolution unconstitutional and illegal.
The participation of the Ms. Jane Carpin in the vote for dissolution is also illegal because Ms. Carpin had already been removed as a Member of the National Assembly by Opposition Leader Wavel Ramkalawan. The notification of Ms. Carpin’s dismissal was communicated to the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Patrick Herminie, immediately after Ms. Carpin had voted for the Constitutional Amendment tabled in the morning session. The vote therefore did not have the requisite two-thirds majority of members of the Assembly. In the matter of dissolution of the Assembly, Speaker Herminie has deliberately manipulated the presentation of the motion and acted without regard for Assembly procedures.

Le  Comité Exécutif du Réseau Libéral Africain :
Tenant compte des informations des différentes sources indépendantes telles que les organisations  des droits de l’homme œuvrant dans la Région des Grands Lacs d’Afrique  en l’occurrence Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International ainsi que les organisations de protection des droits de l’homme locales au Burundi ; les organisations de protection du métier de journalisme tel que Reporter Sans Frontières ainsi que l’Association Burundaise des Journalistes (ABJ) ; les organisations de lutte contre la corruption  tel que International Transparency et Olucome, etc. ;
Considérant les éléments contenant dans la  nouvelle loi sur les partis politiques burundais qui vient d’être adoptée par les deux chambres du Parlement burundais, laquelle loi consacre un retour au monopartisme de fait en excluant les partis  politiques dont les leaders sont à l’étranger ;
Tenant compte de la récente mesure de retirer de la circulation les actuels passeports burundais et exiger aux ayants droit  de se présenter physiquement à Bujumbura pour l’obtention du nouveau passeport, visant ainsi la capture des leaders de l’opposition en exil ou le blocage de leurs mouvements ;
Vu l’état général de la corruption et de la dilapidation des biens de l’Etat par l’équipe au pouvoir à Bujumbura, plaçant ainsi le Burundi à la première place des pays les plus corrompus de la sous-région et parmi les 10 pays les plus corrompus au monde ;
Considérant les dizaines d’assassinats à caractère politique enregistrés chaque jour surtout dans les provinces de l’ouest  et plus principalement à Bujumbura Rural ;
Tenant compte de la persécution des journalistes burundais, dont certains sont interpellés fréquemment pour avoir diffusé une information qui ne plaît pas au pouvoir et surtout de l’emprisonnement injuste du journaliste Jean Claude Kavumbagu depuis bientôt une année ;
Vu l’état de la  dégradation générale de la situation sécuritaire et la croissance de la violation des droits humains où les éléments des forces de l’ordre public sont impliqués ;
Considérant que cette situation déplorable résulte d’un manque de volonté manifeste du pouvoir de ramener la  paix par une oppression permanente de tous ceux qui sont sensés ne pas avoir élu  le CNDD-FDD actuellement au pouvoir ;
Tenant compte que ce pouvoir n’a jamais voulu dialoguer avec l’opposition pour dégager ensemble des mesures visant le retour à la stabilité sociopolitique du Burundi ;
Le Comité Exécutif du RLA réunit du 7 au 13 mai  2011 à Johannesburg en Afrique du Sud vient d’adopter une résolution  pour le Burundi. Les éléments qui la composent sont les suivants :
1. Le Réseau Libéral Africain regrette qu’une année vienne de s’écouler  après les élections de mai 2010, et que les résultats soient négatifs sur tous les points de vues ;
2. Il regrette que le Président du Régime en place à Bujumbura ne dise rien sur la situation dégradante de violation des droits de l’homme au Burundi et surtout ne manifeste aucune volonté de laisser la justice faire son travail sur le cas de l’assassinat ignoble d’Ernest Manirumva, Vice-président d’une organisation locale contre la corruption et les malversations économiques ;
3. Il regrette que les proches du Président soient impliqués dans des vols fragrants des biens de l’Etat (cas des 13 millions de dollars américains remboursés par l’Etat ougandais mais disparus dans les poches des proches du Président) mais que celui-ci n’en dise rien ;
4. Il regrette que l’Etat burundais se retrouve impliqué dans le massacre de ses propres populations ;
5. Le Réseau Libéral Africain regrette aussi le recul de la démocratie au Burundi par un retour au monopartisme de fait, occasionné par l’adoption d’une loi qui exclut plusieurs partis politiques de l’opposition ;
6. Il regrette que le pouvoir de Bujumbura use de la force pour résoudre tout  problème à caractère politique ;
7. Le Réseau Libéral Africain condamne les arrestations et les assassinats des militants de l’opposition ainsi que la loi discriminatoire conçue et adoptée dans le but de supprimer injustement des partis politiques de l’opposition ;
8. Il condamne avec énergie la torture et les exécutions extrajudiciaires dénoncées par la Communauté Internationale et les organisations de défense des droits de l’homme ; (1,2)
9. Il condamne la persécution dont sont victimes les leaders des partis de l’opposition les contraignant à l’exil ou à une vie clandestine ;
10. Le Réseau Libéral Africain exige l’arrêt  des arrestations arbitraires, emprisonnements, assassinats des militants de l’opposition et la libération sans condition de tous les prisonniers politiques et d’opinion ;
11. Il exige la libération immédiate du journaliste Jean Claude Kavumbagu et la liquidation du procès en rapport avec l’assassinat du militant des droits de l’homme Ernest Manirumva ;
12. Il exige qu’une commission internationale soit mise en place pour enquêter sur les exécutions sommaires observées dans  toutes les régions du Burundi ;
13. Le Réseau Libéral Africain supplie le Président du Régime en place à Bujumbura de ne pas promulguer une loi discriminatoire, qui constituerait la goûte d’eau risquant de faire déborder le vase qui n’était que déjà trop plein ;
14. Il demande au gouvernement du Burundi de faire une politique de rapprochement  et non d’exclusion en entamant sans délai des négociations avec les partis d’opposition afin de trouver des solutions aux problèmes de sécurité, des droits de l’homme, et de vider le contentieux électoral ;
15. Il demande aux bailleurs de fonds de conditionner l’aide directe au gouvernement burundais à l’ouverture des négociations véritables avec les partis d’opposition, et en attendant d’intervenir directement auprès des populations burundaises à travers les ONG ;
16. Le Réseau Libéral Africain demande enfin à la Communauté Internationale notamment les Nations Unies, l’Union Européenne et l’Union Africaine de continuer à suivre avec attention la situation politique et sécuritaire au Burundi.
Fait à Johannesburg, le 09 mai 2011

We, the representatives of African liberal parties, assembled in Johannesburg, South Africa, reaffirm our strong support for the Democratic Alliance (DA) ahead of municipal elections due on 18 May.
We stress our belief in the progressive policies espoused by the DA, as outlined in their Local Government Manifesto, and for their vision of an Open, Opportunity Society, for All. We commend the DA’s continued commitment to improving service delivery, and to delivering for all South Africans, regardless of race, creed, class, or political beliefs.
During our visit to Cape Town in November 2010, we witnessed first-hand the improvements which the DA had made to the City and to Western Cape Province. We met with the party’s local MPs, Provincial Ministers and Councillors, and praised their efficiency, sound financial management, and tough stance on corruption. Since arriving in Johannesburg, we have been once again been impressed by the DA’s campaign for better local governance and service delivery for all South Africans. As liberals, we commend their pro-market approach to alleviating poverty and reducing crime by increasing job opportunities and growing the economy.
Having seen the difference a DA administration can make to improving housing, transport and healthcare, and the party’s commitment to creating economic opportunities while ensuring clean and transparent government; we call on South Africans to vote DA in the municipal elections on 18 May. The Democratic Alliance will not take your vote for granted, and their Mayors and Councillors are committed to improving local conditions for all South Africans.
We eagerly await the result of the elections, and hope that the South African people will give the DA the chance to govern more cities, such as Pretoria, the seat of national government, paving the way for a provincial and national challenge to the ANC in 2014.
Johannesburg, 9 May 2011

We, the representatives of African liberal parties, assembled in Johannesburg, South Africa, affirm our strong support for the Seychelles National Party (SNP) and its Presidential candidate Mr Wavel Ramkalawan MNA.
We call on the people of Seychelles to take note of the liberal democratic principles espoused by the SNP as documented in their manifesto, ‘Ansanm pour en meyer lavi: A better life for all Seychellois’. The Africa Liberal Network fully supports the SNP’s campaign to reunite the people of Seychelles and eliminate the discrimination which has characterised the past 34 years of rule by the SPPF-Parti Lepep. We welcome the SNP’s social liberal policies for revising income tax, bringing down the cost of living, and improving standards in healthcare and education. We further welcome the emphasis on strong leadership, a civil service free of politics, and building effective national institutions.
The ALN commends Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, a former Anglican priest and well-respected civic activist, for having received in excess of 45% of the popular vote in previous elections, and we hope that this will be the time when he is finally able to sweep to victory and win the Presidency on 21 May 2011. We welcomed the challenge laid down by Ramkalawan for incumbent President, Mr James Michel, to hold a televised debate, noting that this is a normal part of the political process in the democratic world; however, we were disappointed when this was rejected.
The ALN calls on the Seychelles Electoral Commission to ensure open and transparent polls in which the SNP is able to campaign freely in public. In order to ensure a level playing field, we urge the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation to allow equal coverage to both sides during the campaign. We support the Commonwealth Observer Mission in their important work and call on them to document any violations of electoral law, human rights, or media freedom, in their final report.
Finally, we call on the incumbent Parti Lepep to respond to accusations that their campaigners in Bel Air have used money to influence the outcome of the election, a practice which the Africa Liberal Network condemns in the strongest terms.
Johannesburg, 9 May 2011