The Africa Liberal Network (ALN), Africa’s largest affiliation of liberal political parties, met in Accra, Ghana from 2 to 4 March 2018 for their 14th annual General Assembly meeting. This year we were graciously hosted by ALN member party, the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) of Ghana, where they helped us welcome member parties from 24 African countries, and partners from various European countries. Delegates met in their annual meeting to discuss ALN matters as well as the theme of this year’s General Assembly:

“More Freedom & Fairness: The Pursuit of Growing Africa’s Economy”.

It is apt that we met in West Africa, with countries where liberals govern on a national or regional basis, such as in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire act as shining examples of the opportunities and prosperity which can be created and sustained by liberalism in action. We live in a world where the liberal democratic values and the institutions that uphold it is under constant threat. This is a challenge to regional and global cooperation, human rights, and liberal values of tolerance, peace, and justice. Nevertheless, African liberals have a unique opportunity to continue to rise against the tide and provide beacons of hope for the globe. The role of opposition parties in African countries are as important as ever and liberals must remain critical voices of opposition with promises of hope for all citizens.
The theme of this General Assembly is becoming more important than ever. As countries are consolidating their democracies all over the continent, we cannot forget about the development and stimulation of Africa’s economies. It is a continent rich in resources, capital and potential. Today, Africa homes almost half of the world’s 20 fastest growing economies. As these markets and economies grow, often at rapid rates, it is important to address how this growth can be shared broadly, rather than benefitting a small percentage of the country. Dialogue about how liberal economic policies and market economies can bridge the widening gap between the most and least advantaged is crucial. It is not a matter that can wait but should instead be considered as a parallel process.
Over the two days of the General Assembly, delegates engaged on various topics relating to this topic with the help and assistance of our crucial strategic partners: the Liberal Democrats’ International Office and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. Experts from Africa and Europe hosted sessions on the liberal’s handbook for policies that can be developed to grow African economies while still keeping the well-being of all Africans in mind. Another session was held on how countries are able to stimulate the job market and economy through the use of apprenticeship programs. Delegates were divided into French and English-speaking groups, ensuring that optimal engagement and group work is guaranteed. They were encouraged to think outside the box, think of creative solutions and to debate the finer issues relating to the theme.
The second half of the General Assembly we dedicated our time to the discussion of the Accra Declaration on Liberal Economies. Various issues raised as priorities for the ALN in terms of liberal economies are free and fair markets without barriers, increased trade, innovation and digitization, women empowerment and gender equality, the establishment of fair and independent institutions, and the protection of human rights in light of imminent development. The ALN member parties committed to working for secure and peaceful economic growth for all the peoples and nations of Africa and emphasised their belief that fair liberal economic policies have to be adopted by the governments of Africa.
At the end of the final day, the program diverted into two side events. The Liberal International Human Rights Committee in partnership with D66 from the Netherlands is hosted a workshop on Freedom of Religion and Belief. Here, participants exchanged experiences from their own countries and formulated policy proposals on how to tackle the issue on both a national and international level. The session served to agree on a common liberal approach to the issue. The second session was a panel discussion hosted by VVD form the Netherlands and the Arab Liberal Federation (ALF) on intra-Arabic trade, and the challenges and opportunities that entail. This panel discussion aimed to share the results of the Arab Liberal Federation report on Intra-Arab Trade and its recommendations. The panel also exchanged ideas and recommendations from the broader African point of view and in particular of the Western African region.
We are pleased to announce that our membership grew significantly during this gathering. Three new parties from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar and Burkina Faso have been accepted as observer members, whereas five parties, from Mali, Mauritania, Ghana and Zambia, respectively were promoted to full membership. It is a good sign that our membership is growing so sustainably and constantly – liberalism is on the rise in Africa!
Besides the Accra Declaration on Liberal Economies, delegates passed three resolutions on Somalia, Zambia and global warming.
 
In conclusion, it has been an extremely fruitful General Assembly. We are pleased that 25 different countries took time out of their busy political schedules to attend the largest gathering of liberal parties in Africa. It’s an opportunity we are grateful for, and we wish to thank our strategic partners, the Liberal Democrats and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom for their continued support on all levels for ALN activities. In the same vein we would like to extend our thanks to our donors and partners in liberalism, the VVD and D66 from the Netherlands, and Liberal International, in particular the Human Rights Committee. We hope to grow the network, our partnerships, our economies and our countries in the next year to come!
 

The Africa Liberal Network takes note and condemns in the strongest possible terms reports of the ongoing Libyan slave trade. Due to recent media reports it has come to our attention that African migrants are being sold at auction for as little as $400. This exploitation of Africans leaving their countries looking for better prospects is not only inhumane but a blatant abuse of human rights. Libya has become a large transit hub for Africans leaving for Europe, and the Libyan government should ensure the safety of all Africans, irrespective of origin, background, class or creed. We call on the Libyan authorities, regional powers and international community to speak out against these crimes against humanity, and for those who are found to partake in such actions to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, including internationally. The situation requires new avenues of legal migration and ensuring that smugglers and traffickers do not exploit those who are most vulnerable and marginalized. Smuggling networks often resort to ruthless actions against migrants, including torturing, extorting and detaining migrants before they face the dangerous trip to Europe across the Mediterranean. Furthermore, the instability in Libya has created a breeding ground for such actions and it is paramount that the country addresses these issues internally as well.
There is no place in Africa for the sale of humans and such clear abuse of power. The Africa Liberal Network is committed to a better future for all Africans, and condemns this horrific treatment of migrants. As African countries we have a duty to stand up and speak out against such human rights abuses, and we must act to ensure it never happens again. In 2014 the ALN passed the Marrakech Declaration on Human Rights, reaffirming it’s position and commitment to protect human rights. Every ALN member party is also expected to ascribe to these values and promote it in their policies.
Media enquiries:
Zanie Ferreira (ALN Coordinator)
zanie.maree@africaliberalnetwork.org

PRESS STATEMENT BY ALN PRESIDENT STEVENS MOKGALAPA ON ALN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING IN DAKAR, SENEGAL

The founding meeting of the Africa Liberal Network in Dakar, Senegal in 1992

1. Building capacity amongst member parties.

This includes supporting member parties in their attempts to win elections and govern effectively, through coordinating programmes aimed at building their capacity to succeed. Workshops, training materials and assistance in terms of communication and campaign strategy is key. Additionally, the Network aims to create a link between liberal parties in government and those seeking power to enable sharing of best practice and expertise.

2. Assert the international credibility of the ALN.

By developing relationships with other liberal organisations such as Liberal International, the United Nations Human Rights Council and international election observation missions, we hope to raise the voice of the Network and African liberal parties. This would include running workshops with member parties on topical issues such as human rights, terrorism, corruption, security, economics, etc.

3. Strive for better inclusion of under-represented groups within the ALN and its member parties.

The Network feels strongly about creating an inclusive platform where under-represented groups are offered the opportunity to participate. This includes strengthening the youth branch of the Network, the Africa Liberal Youth, and supporting member parties in investing in women, not only on a national level but regional as well.
Besides the strategic plan of the Network, upcoming activities were discussed, in particular the upcoming General Assembly. The Executive Committee concluded that the next meeting of ALN member parties will take place in Accra, Ghana, early in 2018. We are looking forward to working with our sister party in Ghana in welcoming liberal parties from all over the continent to this important annual meeting.

President of Senegal, Macky Sall (right), with ALN President Stevens Mokgalapa (left)

The Executive Committee of the ALN with President Macky Sall

THE AFRICA LIBERAL NETWORK CONGRATULATES LIBERAL PARTNER, GERMAN FREE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, ON ELECTION RESULTS

The Africa Liberal Network would like to extend its congratulations to the German Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the recent elections. The FDP, led by Mr Christian Lindner, secured 10.7% of the votes on 24 September, which is a sizable increase from the previous election. The results have secured a total of 80 seats for the liberal party, which they will retain for the next four years.
The ALN celebrates these happy results with one of its most valuable European liberal partners. The excellent work done by the FDP through their Friedrich Naumann Foundation to promote liberalism in Africa is inestimable. The FNF aims to further individual freedoms and democratic politics through various programs such as civic education and dialogue, sponsorship, research and political consultation, and training workshops. The ALN and FNF share many common interests, mainly the protection of human rights, the rule of law and promotion of democracy, and we hope to continue our fruitful relationship in Africa.
Seeing our partners and fellow liberal parties succeed, whether in Africa or elsewhere, is an inspiration and motivation to keep up the hard work of encouraging liberal values in our respective countries. The ALN wishes the FDP the best of luck in the upcoming term and hopes for a prosperous, liberal Germany.
Media enquiries:
Zanie Ferreira (ALN Coordinator)
zanie.maree@africaliberalnetwork.org

ALN WELCOMES THE DECISION BY THE KENYAN SUPREME COURT TO NULLIFY ELECTION RESULTS

 
The largest political affiliation in Africa, the Africa Liberal Network, welcomes the decision by the Kenyan Supreme Court to nullify the results of the national election that took place on 8 August. The National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition petitioned the court to challenge the election results as they claimed that the elections were rigged and fraudulent. Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, a full member of the ALN, and the leader of the NASA coalition lauded the decision by Chief Justice David Maraga on 1 September as a precedent-setting judgment. The Supreme Court reached a conclusion that the elections were not conducted in accordance with electoral law and that a new election has to be held in 60 days. This is the first time that an African court has overturned an election.

Kenyan Supreme Court judges nullified the results of the elections after a petition by the opposition. REUTERS/Baz Ratner

DA HOSTS ZAMBIAN OPPOSITION LEADER FOLLOWING HIS RELEASE

 
The Democratic Alliance (DA), full member of the Africa Liberal Network, hosted Zambian opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, in Cape Town for a press briefing today. This comes soon after the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), also a full member of the ALN, was released from prison after false charges of treason were brought against him and four others. Hichilema was hosted by Mmusi Maimane, leader of the DA, South Africa’s official opposition party, and Stevens Mokgalapa, president of the ALN.

Maimane claimed that the “struggle for democracy in Africa has only just begun” and that a new generation has the duty to break the legacies of liberation movements and the dictators they consequently created. He reasserted their shared interest in “the values of democracy, constitutionalism, the rule of law, the advancement of human rights across Africa, intolerance of corruption and a commitment to the defence of an independent judiciary and a free press.”
Hichilema highlighted the facts of his arrest and trial, as well as the current state of affairs in Zambia, stating that President Lungu’s control over the country is akin to that of a dictator. He thanked all involved in his release and reconfirmed his commitment to democracy in Zambia as well as the African continent: “I want the best for Zambia and I want the best for Africa… so let us all work towards that.”
The ALN will continue to work tirelessly with its member parties for the promotion of liberal values in Zambia and the rest of the continent in order to achieve a better future for all. A future that is based on the rule of law, freedom of expression and the entrenchment of human rights.
 
Read the full statement by Mmusi Maimane here
Read the full statement by Hakainde Hichilema here

STATEMENT OF THE AFRICA LIBERAL NETWORK ON THE KENYAN ELECTION RESULTS 

The largest political affiliation in Africa, the Africa Liberal Network, takes note of the decision by the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition to challenge the Kenyan election results. Raila Odinga, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, a full member of the ALN, and head of NASA, announced on 16 August that they will be petitioning the court to investigate claims of fraudulent and rigged elections. Kenyans took to the polls on 8 August, but the release of the results were soon labelled as false by opposition parties.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the elections with 54% of the votes, however the NASA coalition disputes these results as they claim that the IEBC database and servers has been hacked and an algorithm introduced to rig the votes. International election observation missions labelled the Kenyan elections as free, democratic and fair, and said that it took place without incident, but the Carter Centre raised some concerns about the early release of results. Protests by opposition supporters in certain parts of Kenya was met with police suppression and brutality. “By going to court we aren’t legitimising misplaced calls from some observers for us to concede but are seeking to give to those who braved the long lines in the morning chill and hot afternoon on Tuesday 8 August 2017…a chance to be heard,” reads a statement by Odinga.
The ALN welcomes the decision by NASA to follow due process in challenging these election results and calls on all Kenyans to remain calm and respect the rule of law, without inciting violence. The network also calls on the Kenyan government and President Kenyatta to offer their cooperation in clearing up the matter of the disputed election results. An independent investigation has to be completed without interference in order to let democracy prosper. It is of the utmost importance that peace reigns in these worrying times.
The ALN supports its sister party in its legal battle, and will continue to fight for liberal values, not only in Kenya, but over the whole of Africa.
Media enquiries:
Zanie Ferreira (ALN Coordinator)
zanie.maree@africaliberalnetwork.org