Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Stevens Mokgalapa MP, ALN Vice President Southern Africa
The continent’s largest political affiliation expresses deep concern and disappointment in the manipulation and erosion of sound democratic electoral processes in the recent Zambian elections.
In solidarity with our full member party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), the Africa Liberal Network condemns the manipulation of the voting, counting and observation mechanisms in favour of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) led by Edgar Lungu. The ruling party has sought to degrade the choices of Zambian voters through means of widespread intimidation, pre-marked ballot papers, and the prevention of party agents from overseeing the work of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
The Network is particularly alarmed at the failure of Lungu and his government to reign in PF cadres and representatives who, often with assistance from state authorities, committed acts of violence against the opposition. This included the stoning of UPND campaign buses, armed conflict in public spaces and specific targeting of innocent UPND members. The flagrant disregard for electoral transparency and the rule of law is further evidenced in the PF’s ability and willingness to blatantly alter the vote count, an example of which is in Kanyama where over 14,000 ballots went missing. The ballot papers have been recently identified in a waste area; all are marked in favour of the UPND.
The ALN is thus in support of the UPND’s petition to be brought before the Constitutional Court of Zambia. It is our sincere hope that this court will uphold the Zambian Constitution and as per that constitution, withhold the inauguration of the next president until the dispute is resolved through the crucial legal channels.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 4813754

Statement of the Executive Committee of the Africa Liberal Network
Africa’s largest grouping of political parties supports without reservation the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and other sexual minorities.
The Network’s Executive Committee expresses deep regret and concern over the increase in LGBTQ refugees as a result of the hostile, violent and discriminatory acts against them in their home countries. These are too often directed by the hands of state officials and, at other times, severely discriminatory communities. The ALN remains committed to the principle of equality for all, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Many of these LGBTQ refugees flee to more tolerant countries, such as South Africa, only to be met either by more persecution or even xenophobia. South Africa’s progressive constitution and liberal view of marriage and civil unions does not change the lived experiences of these refugees and asylum seekers.
The ALN calls on all African governments to support the rights of LGBTQ individuals as human rights. As the Marrakech Declaration, a human rights framework, states:
“In particular we identify the following as key priorities for political action… Ensuring the implementation and application of laws ensuring equal rights before the law and preventing discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, sexuality or disability.”
The ALN implores the African Union (AU) and all regional bodies to actively promote the safety of all Africans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 4813754

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
The ALN, as the largest political party network in Africa, looks forward to the election of a new Executive Committee at its 13^th General Assembly in 2017.
Under the present Executive Committee, led by President Olivier Kamitatu, the ALN has grown to become the largest political affiliation in Africa.
“I am proud of how far we have brought the Network. Through the ongoing support of our Partners and friends, the ALN has played a pivotal role in developing liberal democracy throughout Africa. From South Africa to Morocco, the ALN is a beacon of hope for Africa’s future” says Kamitatu.
The Executive Committee has overseen the drafting of the Marrakech Declaration as critical, historical human rights framework; the Network’s first-ever election observation mission; the successful capacity building of liberals in Botswana; and a best practice blueprint to electoral success, amongst others.
Looking forward to the upcoming 13^th General Assembly, the Network looks forward to a smooth transition as a number of Committee members’ terms expire. Setting an example for others to follow, the ALN has consistently respected its own constitutional term limits.
The President adds, “I look forward to handing over the leadership of the Network and wish the next Executive Committee even more success than we have enjoyed”.

Following its successful 12th General Assembly this year, Africa’s largest political affiliation will meet in Johannesburg, South Africa, this week (12-14 August 2016) and is joined by Herman Mashaba, the Democratic Alliance’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate.
The meeting takes place after South Africa’s most recent Local Government Elections in which the ALN’s member party, the Democratic Alliance, surged in the polls and obtained numerous significant victories. The DA is now the largest party in the City of Cape Town, the administrative capital of Tshwane (including Pretoria), and Nelson Mandela Bay (including Port Elizabeth).
The Democratic Alliance may also seek to form a coalition in the City of Johannesburg, Africa’s economic hub, where the party obtained the second-largest number of votes. The ALN Executive Committee will be briefed on the outcomes of the successful DA campaigns across the country, including a meeting with Mr Mashaba and the DA International Office.
On the agenda for this meeting of the ALN Executive Committee is the upcoming elections of the network itself. Setting an example for democrats across the continent, the ALN’s Executive Committee strongly believes in adherence to the term limits identified in the network’s Constitution and looks forward to a peaceful transition of Executive power. Other matters for discussion include the increasing level of political persecution in South Sudan, and the development of the network’s Campaign and Organisational Development (COD) Unit which aims to directly enable and capacitate one member party’s ability to win elections as liberal democrats.
The ALN looks forward to meeting with two strategic partners, the Liberal Democrats (United Kingdom) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, during the Executive Committee meeting.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 4813754

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Stevens Mokgalapa (MP), Vice President Southern Africa
The Africa Liberal Network wishes the greatest of success to its Zambian member party, the United Party for National Development (UPND) ahead of national elections this Thursday 11 August 2016.
As a long-time member of the ALN, the UPND is well-positioned to govern from Lusaka in the best interests of all Zambians. In spite of political persecution and violent attacks against UPND members by the ruling Patriotic Front of President Edgar Lungu, the campaign led by UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema reaches out to all Zambians regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, language or any other factor used for division by the party’s detractors. With its strong manifesto for positive change, the ALN firmly believes that the UPND provides the solutions to the challenges faced by Zambians.
With the party’s strong record of liberal democracy, gender equality, and sound policies, the ALN urges all Zambians to support the presidential bid of Hakainde Hichilema and UPND candidates across the country. The network also calls for free, fair elections with absolute security of the ballot for every eligible Zambian voter.
The Africa Liberal Network looks forward to continuing to build its relationship with the UPND, and looks forward to sharing its successes across the continent.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 4813754

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Stevens Mokgalapa (MP), ALN Vice President Southern Africa
The largest political affiliation in Africa, the Africa Liberal Network, wishes every success to its South African member party, the Democratic Alliance in today’s Local Government Elections.
As a founding member of the ALN, the Democratic Alliance is well-positioned to form local governments in some of South Africa’s – and the continent’s – most important cities and towns. These include the seat of government, the City of Tshwane (Pretoria), the City of Johannesburg, Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth), and the City of Cape Town which the DA currently governs with a majority. The ALN fully supports the DA’s bid to win in these elections and increase its popularity with South Africans ahead of national elections in 2019.
Since the party first took over the reins of government in the City of Cape Town in 2006, it has consistently governed according to the values and principles of liberal democracy. By delivering on its promises, the DA has turned around the City into a world-class model for governance, improved the lives of hundreds of thousands, and established Cape Town as a vital beacon of hope for the African continent. In government, the DA shows that it cares for South Africans, regardless of their political affiliation, race, income or any other factor.
The Africa Liberal Network looks forward to continuing to build its relationship with the DA and celebrating its success across the continent as a pillar of strength for liberalism.
 
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator) +27 (0)81 481 3754

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Rosemary Machua, ALN Vice President East Africa
1 August 2016
Africa’s largest political affiliation, the Africa Liberal Network, strongly denounces the threat issued by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Tanzania to arrest the Civic United Front leader, Seif Sharif Hamad. Hamad represents the main opposition party in Zanzibar and the third largest party in Tanzania Mainland.
The threat by the IGP is allegedly for the so-called crime of spreading hatred against the Zanzibar government. The ALN finds this to be an outright anti-democratic accusation; as liberal democrats, we hold to the firm conviction that any individual or group has the inalienable right to be critical of their government. It is the government and state which must account to the people, and free thought and speech, with tolerance, must be permitted on all accounts especially where the state fails to uphold human rights.
Therefore, we urge the Tanzanian and Zanzibari authorities to stop harassing opposition leaders and civil society organisations and uphold the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. This charter of the African Union (AU) enshrines human rights associated with political life and participation, such as the right to freedom of movement, assembly, and speech. To arrest Hamad would be to abandon some of the most vital human rights.
The ALN furthermore supports the Civic United Front’s call for inclusive dialogue on the Zanzibar political situation. Following international observation missions, including that of the ALN, during the October 2015 Zanzibar Elections, it was found that the electoral process was satisfactory and broadly free and fair. In spite of this, the ruling government annulled the results and called for fresh elections in March 2016, which CUF boycotted.
The future of Zanzibar cannot be pursued without civic and political consultation. Regardless of affiliation, the popularity of the Civic United Front in Zanzibar cannot be ignored, and means to silence opposition will not be tolerated.
Media Enquiries:
Luke Akal (Africa Liberal Network Coordinator)
+27 81 4813754
Ismail Jussa (Civic United Front International Officer)
+255 777 414100

Former Somali MP commits terrorist act, ALN calls for democratic norms and processes in MP-eligibility
Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Rosemary Machua, ALN Vice President East Africa
28 July 2016
The Africa Liberal Network, the largest political affiliation on the continent, condemns the suicide bomb attacks reportdly by former Somali MP Salah Nuh Ismail and other members of al-Shabab.
Ismail, also known as Salah Badbado, is said to have detonated the bomb near the international airport outside the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Earlier this week, another terrorist attack took place at the gates of an African Union (AU) peacekeeping base, in which cars loaded with explosive materials were detonated. The attacks led to the death of thirteen people and five are critically injured.
Both attacks have been accounted for by the militant Islamic group, al-Shabab, which aims to take over the country as a cruel, terrorist regime and undermine the internationally-backed Federal Government of Somalia.
The ALN and its member party in Somalia, CAHDI Party, strongly denounce this act of terror. We call on the Somali government to take stronger steps to ensure the credibility of Members of Parliament, as it is unacceptable for elected public representatives to turn on the people they are mandated to represent. For the stability, peace and security in Somali society, it is essential that potential public representatives are subject to extensive background checks and required to be transparent in their political platform or agenda.
In a country that has suffered so much pain and loss due to war and exploitation, the Somali government, parliament and judiciary must take proactive measures for the safety of its people. This is especially critical ahead of elections in Somalia set for later this year.
 
 
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 (0)81 481 3754

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network on the pre-election violence in Kenya
Rosemary Machua, ALN Vice President East Africa
11 July 2016
The Africa Liberal Network is appalled by reports confirming Kenyan police brutality against members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and the broader Coalitions for Reform and Democracy (CORD), including violence targeted at women and unarmed citizens.
 
CORD, including ODM, actively stands for the reform of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The IEBC, formed in 2011 and tasked with managing the country’s 2013 elections, is reportedly responsible for failing to carry out its mandate of free and fair elections. The body is said to be liable for deliberately causing the malfunctioning of electronic voter identification mechanisms which jeopardized the democratic process during elections. Moreover, the IEBC is accused of gross embezzlement of funds and, since 2013, ceased to engage with all Kenyan political parties and the public in determining its strategic plans.
 
In light of this, thousands of Kenyans have protested against the IEBC and the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta for failing to address these critical issues.
 
Alarmingly, these peaceful protests have been met with police brutality in Nairobi and other Kenyan centres. Six unarmed demonstrators were killed by police and tens of others are hospitalized in various hospitals in Kenya after being wounded with bullets. In one particular incident, unarmed women were attacked whilst hiding in a public toilet in fear of the police. On a separate occasion, a 65-year old unarmed female was brutally attacked by police.
 
The ALN condemns in the strongest possible terms all attempts to use women as tools of political conflict and calls on the Kenyan government to take extremely seriously the need for the protection of all citizens and their right to peaceful protest and demonstration. The Network also calls on President Kenyatta to take all necessary disciplinary and preventative steps to ensure the complete removal of police brutality as a possible threat to Kenyans.
 
As the largest political network on the African continent, the ALN calls on all political parties in Kenya to actively work towards a peaceful, democratic solution to the irregularities and issues facing the IEBC. It is our sincere hope that all Kenyan stakeholders will form part of the dialogue with a view to serving the best interests of the country’s citizens.
 
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 (0)81 481 3754