The Africa Liberal Network, with the support of the Liberal Democrats’ International Office and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, recently hosted a workshop on Combating Corruption. On 1 and 2 June 2018, 16 participants from ALN member parties hand picked for their expertise in this field, attended the workshop in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Corruption is not an unfamiliar phenomena to our member parties, and many of them struggle daily with the scourge of corruption in their countries. From corrupt presidents, to corrupt governments and institutions, it is difficult to maintain democracies that exist for the benefit of all. As liberal political parties, we have the express responsibility to combat corruption, both in our governments and in our parties. The ALN is committed to the rule of law, transparency and accountability. It is for this reason that we decided to host a workshop on combating corruption, with a particular focus on keeping our parties clean and the aim of delivering a user-friendly anti-corruption framework at its conclusion.
The workshop focused on breaking down our understanding of corruption and redefining the concept, followed by a thorough analysis of our parties’ organisational structures. Consequently, we were able to identify where the vulnerable spots in our parties are, along with an analysis of the measures we already have in place to prevent corruption and fraud. The participants took part in an engaging brainstorming session to come up with creative solutions for the previously identified problem areas, with many of them sharing best practices from their parties.
Through inputs delivered during this workshop, the ALN is proud to present its first Anti-Corruption Toolkit for Political Parties (pdf).
It is our hope that our member parties will utilise this framework to strengthen their structures, prevent corruption from happening and implement measures to detect when it does occur.
 
 
 

Today, on 25 May, we celebrate Africa Day 2018. Historically, this is the day that signifies the creation of the Organisation for African Unity (or the African Union, as we know it today) in 1963 and is meant to be a symbol for a united continent. It’s been 55 years since the liberation of Africa, and the continent has grown in many wonderful ways.
We could celebrate the massive strides made by African countries in growing their economies, building large urban centers filled with bustling populations, developing public health services, furthering education among African youth and creating governments that can comfortably share a table with international superpowers. We can praise the rich potential of the continent, in terms of resources, human capital, innovation and growth. We can laud the incredible diversity of African people and the range of cultures, religions and races that fill up this great continent.
These are points that should be celebrated with a respectful view of how far the continent has come since its liberation. Africa Day should be a day to reflect about the progress we’ve made as Africans and how we are a force to be reckoned with on the global political scene.
However, we cannot celebrate the continent’s successes without addressing the many ways in which it is not yet free.  In 2015 the AU adopted Agenda 2063 which is a framework and plan for addressing past injustices and assist in securing Africa’s place in the world, making the 21^st Century, Africa’s Century.
Agenda 2063 reads that in the next 50 years it aims to achieve:

1. A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
2. An integrated continent, politically united and based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance
3. An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law
4. A peaceful and secure Africa
5. An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values and ethics
6. An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children
7. Africa as a strong, united and influential global player and partner

In order to achieve this, we have to critically and seriously address the various obstacles to growth, development and true liberation for Africa.

POOR GOVERNANCE

Even though we’ve seen a rise in democracies in Africa and democratization has been common place, we still have not reached an age of true democratic governance. African leaders and their governments continue to fail their countrymen by abusing power, misusing state funds, suppressing opposition and neglecting vital responsibilities. Once celebrated liberation movements have turned sour and hold on to power, with no regard for the well-being of citizens. An even more concerning trend is the abuse of democratic measures such as the constitution and electoral processes to legitimize authoritarian regimes. Until governments take responsibility for their countries and citizens, respect the rule of law, and leaders step down when it is their time, Africa will not be truly free.

OPPRESSION OF OPPOSITION

A healthy democracy comprises of a multiparty system that allows for opposition parties to partake in elections and critique the status quo. The constant suppression and persecution of opposition parties in Africa is not only undemocratic but an abuse of human rights in many cases. Every year opposition parties, their leaders and voters get targeted, jailed and in many cases killed, for speaking out against corrupt and oppressive authoritarian regimes. A worrying aspect of this phenomenon is governments and their leaders’ abuse of powers such as the national armed forces, state media and courts to oppress and persecute. Media should be independent and free to report on matters of national importance, whereas courts should be impartial in their proceedings and allow for unbiased trials. This constant oppression is not conducive to stable democracies and arenas for sustainable growth, to the benefit of all.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Over the past few decades we’ve seen rapid urbanisation take place in Africa’s major cities. However, with this increasing population growth comes many troubling issues, one of them being unemployment. Africa is struggling with an unemployment epidemic, with large portions of populations being left unemployed, impoverished and not empowered to live fulfilling lives. Most concerning is the enormous amounts of African youth who not only have job opportunities but also have very little education. Governments should be investing more resources into secondary and tertiary education, especially for girls, and ensure that with economic growth comes job creation and investment in local and small businesses. Economic liberation is something yet to be achieved for many Africans and liberal economic policies that ensure the most disenfranchised in Africa are taken care of is paramount.

SECURITY AND ARMED CONFLICT

In many African countries a harsh reality still exists: armed conflict is a daily occurrence. From rebel groups to terrorist organisations and even state-sanctioned conflict, it is unacceptable that there is an increasing lack of human security on the continent. Large groups of refugees have fled their war-torn countries in search of a safer life, resulting in mass displacement of African people. Some end up in situations not much better than the countries they fled from: in countries that do not want to accept them, refugee camps, or the slave trade. It is simply appalling that African people are treated with such discontent, with no regard for their lives. Conflict is never a solution and governments should go to the utmost lengths to ensure their entire population is protected.

LACK OF LEADERSHIP

What we experience in Africa today, is a leadership vacuum, on varying levels. Once impressive leaders have revealed themselves to be power hungry, while true leadership has not been given a chance to prove their worth. The Africa Liberal Network works with some of the most passionate and dedicated parties on the continent and remains hopeful that these leaders will be given an opportunity to govern and show Africa what true liberal governments can do for their countries. Furthermore, there is a need for regional and international organisations, such as the AU, to step up and critically engage on the issues plaguing the continent. It is no longer good enough to sit in the shadows while Africa goes through some of its most challenging years. We require a continental leadership who can bring countries together for mutual gain and equal development, while assisting those who are in dire need.
It is the hope of the Africa Liberal Network that Africa will reflect on its turbulent past today, whilst simultaneously being aware of how far we’ve come as a continent. However, it is also necessary to realistically assess the situation we find ourselves in today and think of ways we can achieve a truly free African reality, with empowered Africans living fulfilled, safe and empowered lives. A very Happy Africa Day to from our Liberal Family, to yours.

Our colleagues at the International Office of the Liberal Democrats recently published a booklet on Women in African Politics with the assistance and inputs from the ALN Secretariat.
Isabelle Pucher,  Head of the Liberal Democrat International Office and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) Senior Programme Manager says:

This publication, through a series of interviews, highlights both some of the barriers and some of the solutions existing to the promotion of gender equality in African politics. Although the evidence on under-representation of women in politics in different parts of the world is overwhelming and clear, there are still passionate and highly competent women that are ready to run for office and willing to defy the odds. I hope this publication will strengthen us not only as liberals, or as fellow human beings, but especially with regards to equality in politics. 

Click here to download the full publication

DÉCLARATION PRISE À L’ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE DU RLA DE 2018

Accra, Ghana

dimanche 4 mars 2018

Nous, les partis membres du RLA, nous engageons à œuvrer pour une croissance économique sûre et pacifique pour tous les peuples et nations d’Afrique et croyons que l’élément fondamental pour y parvenir est d’assurer des politiques économiques libérales équitables et profitables à tous par leur adoption par les gouvernements des pays africains, agissant sur la base des principes de transparence totale et de bonne gouvernance et des dispositions consacrées dans le Pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels de 1966, des priorités d’action suivantes ;

1. Reconnaitre qu’un marché libre et équitable sans barrières commerciales, nonobstant la Déclaration de Zanzibar de 2014, associé à la libre circulation des citoyens des pays africains en Afrique sans l’obtention d’un visa, est la voie vers un continent africain économiquement développé. Le commerce international est important pour la croissance à long terme, mais aussi pour la réduction de la pauvreté. L’intensification du commerce éloigne les personnes et les pays de la pauvreté et contribue à une ouverture et à une inclusion accrues.
2. Reconnaitre que l’Afrique devient un acteur clé dans l’acquisition, la génération et l’application des connaissances aux différents défis du développement. Cependant, pour que l’innovation joue son rôle dans la poursuite de la diversification et de la transformation des économies africaines, des progrès supplémentaires doivent être accomplis. Un soutien durable est nécessaire pour aider les États africains à répondre à leurs besoins urgents tels que l’industrialisation, l’économie verte et la création d’emplois.
3. Comprendre que le progrès économique des femmes, conformément à la Convention des Nations Unies sur l’élimination de toutes les formes de discrimination à l’égard des femmes de 1979, est non seulement bénéfique et crucial pour assurer l’égalité entre les sexes mais aussi une condition préalable au développement de l’Afrique dans son ensemble.
4. Comprendre que la création de possibilités de travail sans exploitation et le paiement des revenus conformément au Protocole de l’Organisation internationale du Travail sur la négociation collective de 1949, en particulier pour la grande population de jeunes sans emploi, est essentielle pour la transformation économique de l’Afrique et son développement durable.
5. Assurer la mise en œuvre et l’application de l’État de droit conformément à la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme de 1948, au Pacte universel sur les droits politiques et civils de 1966 et à la Charte africaine des droits de l’homme et des peuples de 1981, afin de maintenir une gouvernance démocratique fondamentale avec des institutions indépendantes et stables où les freins et les contrepoids sont convenus, et où les traités et les accords sont respectés. Telle est la clé pour créer une économie africaine prospère et équitable.
6. Prévoir l’urbanisation inévitable et les flux migratoires importants qui accompagnent la croissance économique, en veillant à se préparer de façon adéquate à ces changements et à l’impact qu’ils pourraient avoir sur les services publics, l’infrastructure, les salaires et les soins de santé, entre autres.
7. S’assurer que, à mesure que les économies se développent, les ressources naturelles sont protégées, la sécurité alimentaire est garantie et l’accès à l’eau potable est assuré par les gouvernements. Le développement durable et responsable des économies africaines dépend de la prise en compte de ces facteurs.
8. Reconnaitre que les investissements dans l’infrastructure publique sont largement en retard et œuvrer à l’élimination de la réglementation inutile et de l’incertitude réglementaire. Il est également essentiel que nous soutenions les nouveaux marchés et les nouveaux investissements, en particulier lorsqu’il s’agit d’innovations permettant une utilisation intelligente des ressources.
9. Travailler à la promotion de l’innovation, de la recherche scientifique et des compétences sans dégrader l’environnement sera vital pour la prospérité de la future économie fondée sur la connaissance. Le développement de l’intelligence artificielle va changer la nature du travail pour un grand nombre d’individus, ce qui signifie que l’Afrique doit agir dès maintenant pour s’assurer que cette avancée technologique profite à tous et qu’aucune zone ne soit laissée dans l’ombre de la technologie.