Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Stevens Mokgalapa MP, ALN Southern Africa Vice President
The Africa Liberal Network is alarmed by the proposed collective withdrawal by member states from the International Criminal Court (ICC) . This strategy was yesterday put forward and adopted by the African Union at its summit in Ethiopia.
Although a non-binding decision, the strategy adopted by the AU membership flies in the face of a democratic, human rights agenda, including the Right to Protect imperative. The withdrawal serves no justice to Africa and its peoples, except to cover up the atrocities committed by illiberal, antidemocratic dictators and despots. Clearly, important lessons have not been learned from tragedies in Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan, and elsewhere.
ALN President Olivier Kamitatu, a leading figure of the G7 opposition movement  in the DR Congo, implores:
“We urge all AU states to reconsider and ultimately reject any strategy of leaving the ICC. The ICC’s role should be reinforced, reinvigorated and mandated to serve the interests of the defenseless. Instead of an ICC-exit, let us together work to ensure the institution becomes more effective and efficient for the cause of justice.”
We applaud the dissenting voices of certain African countries, including Senegal, which have spoken in favour of remaining in and building up the ICC as a credible, reliable human rights institution. The Senegalese government is led by President Macky Sall and his APR-Yakaar party, a member of the ALN.
In South Africa, the network also applauds the persistent efforts of our full-member, the Democratic Alliance (official opposition). The DA continues to pursue legal means to ensure that the country’s national government – led by the African National Congress – faces the necessary consequences for its unwillingness to arrest Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir whilst he was on South African soil.
The African Union ought to be standing up for the human rights of all. The AU must work towards strengthening institutions which would protect our peoples, especially when their own governments fail to do so.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 4813754

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
William Tucker, ALN West Africa Vice President
The Africa Liberal Network, the continent’s largest political affiliation, applauds the outstanding efforts of ECOWAS in Gambia. The Economic Community of West African States has today given former authoritarian leader, Yahya Jammeh, until noon Gambia-time to give up power.
This follows a march by ECOWAS troops across the border into Gambia, where the troops were met with zero resistance from local forces. The Chief of the Armed Forces of Gambia has himself said that he does not wish to be involved in any political misconduct. Meanwhile, duly-elected President Adama Barrow was sworn in yesterday at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. The embassy constitutes Gambian territory, thus making Barrow’s swearing-in compliant with the country’s laws.
The ALN joins the global call for a peaceful transition of power in Gambia. Upholding constitutionalism, due process, and the rule of law as fundamental tenets of liberal democracy, these principles which can form a foundation for a future prosperous, progressive Gambia.
We also applaud the work of the ALN’s member party in Senegal, the Alliance Pour la République (APR-Yakaar), and President Macky Sall‘s government in the crucial role they have played in protecting the validity of Gambians’ democratic choices. The United Nations and the African Union have supported the work of ECOWAS, reminding us that there must remain space for regional and global cooperation, including the Right to Protect.
Jammeh is now increasingly isolated. With defections from within his cabinet and that of his vice president, Jammeh faces impossible pressure both regionally and globally. Jammeh has previously during his presidency implemented authoritarian policies and provided empty, populist promises at the expense of Gambian citizens. Many have regarded him as an autocratic, violent dictator.
The former president’s human rights record is severely abysmal. Human Rights Watch lists arbitrary detention, torture, forced disappearances and gross injustices as part of Jammeh’s despotic reign in Gambia. Jammeh held particular draconian disdain for journalists, opposition politicians, and LGBT activists.
The ALN looks forward to the dawn of a new chapter in a tolerant, open, united Gambia.
Media enquiries:
Luke Akal (ALN Coordinator)
+27 (0)81 481 3754
 

Statement of the Africa Liberal Network
Olivier Kamitatu, ALN President
The Africa Liberal Network’s member party in South Sudan, the People’s Liberal Party (PLP), has persistently faced threats of violence and arrest allegedly by members of the ruling regime. The target of these threats are members of the party and its leader, Peter Mayen Majongdit.
As the largest political affiliation on the continent, the ALN denounces these threats and demands that Mr Mayen’s safety is assured by the South Sudanese government and its security forces. We also reject as political propaganda the outlandish claims that Mr Mayen is cooperating with the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) .

PLP (second from right) leader, Peter Mayen, at a recent meeting of the ALN Executive Committee in Johannesburg, South Africa

Statement by Olivier Kamitatu (ALN President)
Africa’s largest political affiliation, the Africa Liberal Network, congratulates the Democratic Alliance on the crucial steps it has taken to lead the way in the formation of a multi-party coalition agreement across numerous hung municipalities in South Africa.
Following the August 3^rd Local Government Elections, this coalition agreement of five political parties is a pivotal moment in South Africa’s democratic development. Led by Mmusi Maimane, the DA has taken a positive step forward in the direction of good governance for all South Africans. Maimane has led the way in a decision which empowers the millions of South Africans who clearly voted for change in the country, especially in the vital metropolitan municipalities of Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay, which include the cities of Pretoria and Port Elizabeth respectively.
“We are proud to announce that we have entered into arrangements to bring together a broad coalition of the Congress of the People (COPE), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Freedom Front+ (FF+) and United Democratic Movement (UDM),” said Maimane.
Crucially, the national governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), does not hold an absolute majority of seats in the City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. The possibility of a minority government led by the DA is therefore one that remains.
According to the leader of the DA:
“The framework of our agreement is that we put the people ahead of political interests, so we can ensure that we: create an environment that facilitates the attraction of investment, the creation of jobs and economic growth; the delivery of basic services to communities that still live under the most deplorable of conditions and; that we eliminate corruption so that resources are put behind service delivery and the running a government for the people.”
The Africa Liberal Network is proud of the example set by the Democratic Alliance for all liberals and democrats across Africa. By putting the interests of citizens first, the DA is ensuring that South Africans receive good, clean governance and excellence in service delivery. It is through adopting examples such as this that Africa’s democracies will develop and flourish for the benefit of all its people.
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 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”.

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