Welcome to the May 2009 issue of the ALN newsletter.
Much has occurred since the last newsletter was sent out in October 2008. Most importantly, the ALN Executive Committee has met in Dakar, Senegal, where its members proposed a bold plan of action for the next two years. I look forward to sending you more details of these initiatives in future newsletters.
The network has also recruited a new ALN Coordinator, Nick Branson, who replaces Imen Trabelsi, and is sponsored by the Liberal Democrats Westminster Foundation for Democracy Programme. I welcome Nick and wish Imen the best of luck. Nick can be contacted by email at Nick.Branson@africaliberalnetwork.org or by telephone on 00 44 20 7227 1369.
Kind regards
Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ
ALN President
•    South Africa: The Democratic Alliance achieves its aims in 2009 election
•    Le Madagascar: Le Président de l’Internationale Libérale condamne la prise du leader du MFM
•    Madagascar: Liberal International President Condemns the Arrest of MFM leader
•    République Démocratique du Congo: Les élections locales
•    Seychelles: Piracy Threatens a Whole Nation
•    Dr Lamine Bâ: Le Libéralisme est un Humanisme
•    Dr Lamine Bâ: Liberalism is Humanism
•    ALN Executive Committee Meets in Dakar, Senegal / Le Comité Exécutif du Réseau Libéral Africain était convoqué à Dakar, Sénégal
•    Africa Liberal Network Gender Paper / Le Réseau Libéral Africain et la question du genre en politique
•    ALN to organise Study Tour to the UK and Germany / Visite éducative au Royaume-Uni et en Allemagne
•    ALN Election Calendar for 2009 / Annuaire des élections en 2009
South Africa: The Democratic Alliance achieves its aims in 2009 election
Ryan Coetzee MP, Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic Alliance
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has achieved all three of our key objectives in this election campaign: to keep the ANC below a two-thirds majority, to win an outright majority in the Western Cape, and to significantly strengthen our position as the official opposition in South Africa.
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Le Madagascar: Le Président de l’Internationale Libérale condamne la prise du leader du MFM
Le Président de l’Internationale Libérale, Lord Alderdice, a fortement condamné la prise de Rakotonirina Manandafy, Vice-président d’IL et dirigeant du parti Mpitolona ho amin’ny Fandrosoan’I Madagasikara (MFM) de Madagascar. M. Manandafy, qui a été récemment nommé premier ministre par le président éjecté Marc Ravalomanana, a été arrêté par les soldats armés loyaux à Andry Rajoelina qui a pris pouvoir de la nation d’Océan indienne le 17 mars.
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Madagascar: Liberal International President Condemns the Arrest of MFM leader
Liberal International President Lord Alderdice strongly condemned the arrest of Rakotonirina Manandafy, leader of ALN and LI member MFM, the Progressive Party of Madagascar. Mr. Manandafy, who was recently appointed prime minister by Madagascar’s ousted president Marc Ravalomanana, was arrested by armed soldiers loyal to Andry Rajoelina, the army-backed leader heading the regime that took power in the Indian Ocean nation on March 17.
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République Démocratique du Congo: Les élections locales
Albi Bweya-Nkiama, Représentant Extérieur de l’ANADER; Vice-Président de RLA Chargé de l’Afrique central
La République Démocratique du Congo a organisé les élections urbaines, municipales et locales d’ici 2010. La commission électorale indépendante vient de lancer l’opération de révision de la liste électorale.
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Seychelles: Piracy Threatens a Whole Nation
Roger Mancienne, Secretary-General, Seychelles National Party; ALN Vice President for East Africa
Once upon a time, pirates were part of the exotic image of the Seychelles. In the 17th and 18th centuries, these islands in the south-west of the Indian Ocean were a refuge for them, and a number of stories of their exploits and buried treasures have passed into folklore. But the modern version has turned the romantic image to a harsher reality.
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Dr Lamine Bâ: Le Libéralisme est un Humanisme
Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, Président du RLA; Vice-Président de l’Internationale Libérale
Avec cette affreuse crise mondiale combinée (alimentaire, énergétique et financière), l’Humanité retient son souffle et s’interroge, doute et sombre dans un pessimisme existentiel.
Du Nord au Sud et d’Ouest en Est, tous les pays de la Planète sont déprimés par la crise qui a finit de plonger même les grandes Puissances dans la récession : des Etats Unis d’Amérique, au Japon et en Allemagne, en passant par la France et même la Chine que rien ne semblait pouvoir arrêter dans sa fulgurante croissance économique !
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Dr Lamine Bâ: Liberalism is Humanism
Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, ALN President; Vice President of Liberal International
In the wake of multiple global crises (food, energy, and financial), humanity has taken a deep breath and began to ask itself questions, uncertain as to its future.
From North to South and East to West, all of the countries of the world have suffered as a result of the crises which has even thrown the great powers into recession: the United States of America, Japan and Germany, not forgetting France, and China, whose meteoric rise seemed unstoppable!
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ALN Executive Committee Meets in Dakar, Senegal / Le Comité Exécutif du Réseau Libéral Africain était convoqué à Dakar, Sénégal
At the invitation of the Africa Liberal Network President, Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, the members of the Executive Committee met in Dakar, Senegal between 13-15 March 2009. The delegates reviewed the action plan submitted in Dar es Salaam in August 2008, and discussed a number of issues relating to the network and its future activities, including its finances and membership.
Click here to read the full article
À l’invitation du Président du Réseau Libéral Africain, Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, le Comité Exécutif était convoqué à Dakar, Sénégal du 13 au 15 mars 2009. Les délégués se sont occupés du plan d’action présenté à Dar es Salaam en Août 2008. Ils ont soulevé différentes questions liées au réseau et à ses futures activités notamment ce qui touche au financement et à l’adhésion au parti.
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Africa Liberal Network Gender Paper / Le Réseau Libéral Africain et la question du genre en politique
As part of a bold move to develop common position papers on several issues, the ALN has begun work on a gender paper focusing on role of liberal women in African politics. Each member of the network has nominated a representative to discuss gender issues at a workshop in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire this July, which will feed into the development of this paper. The Rassemblement des Républicains will host this workshop thanks to funding from the Liberal Democrats Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme. ALN Vice-President for West Africa, Mme Kaba Yaya Fofana of the Rassemblement des Républicains has been nominated to lead this process in tandem with the ALN Coordinator, Nick Branson. It is hoped that this process will strengthen the foundations of the ALN, enbaling the member parties to further unite around their shared values.
La question du genre en politique est un des premiers chantiers qu’à commencé le RLA. Un document sur la participation et l’intérêt des femmes libérales à la politique en Afrique a été lancé. Chaque membre du réseau a cité un point important pour lancer le débat à Abidjan en Côte d’Ivoire en juillet prochain. Le Rassemblement des Républicains accueillera les délégués à cet atelier grâce à un financement de la Fondation Westminster pour la Démocratie. Le Comité Exécutif a désigné la Vice-Présidente du RLA chargée de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, Mme FOFANA KABA Yaya F. du Rassemblement des Républicains de Côte d’Ivoire, pour diriger le processus en collaboration avec le RLA Coordinateur, M. Nick Branson. Le document sur la question du genre adopté servira de position commune sur les questions du genre dans toutes les déclarations et projets du réseau.
ALN to organise Study Tour to the UK and Germany / Visite éducative au Royaume-Uni et en Allemagne
The Africa Liberal Network will send a delegation to the United Kingdom and Germany in September where representatives will meet with important political figures from liberal parties in both countries. Delegates will attend the Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Bournemouth, and meet with members of the Freie Demokratische Partei in Berlin. While in Germany, delegates will also attend the Friedrich Naumann Foundation International Academy for Leadership. This study tour has been made possible through the generous support of the Liberal Democrat Westminster Foundation for Democracy Programme and the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung für die Freiheit.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain va envoyer des délégués au Royaume-Uni et en Allemagne au mois de septembre pour rencontrer des hommes et femmes politiques des partis libéraux aux deux pays. Les délégués vont assister à la conférence des Démocrates Libéraux à Bournemouth et rendre visite au Freie Demokratische Partei à Berlin. Cette visite éducative est possible grâce au parrainage de la Fondation Westminster pour la Démocratie et la Fondation Friedrich Naumann.
ALN Election Calendar for 2009 / Annuaire des élections en 2009
Malawi – 19 May 2009 – Presidential/Parliamentary
DRC – June 2009 – Local
Angola – September 2009 – Presidential
Tunisia – October 2009 – Presidential/Parliamentary
Mozambique – December 2009 – Presidential/Parliamentary
Equatorial Guinea – December 2009 – Presidential
Cote d’Ivoire – TBC
Le Malawi – 19 mai 2009 – élections présidentielles/législatives
RDC – juin 2009 – élections locales
L’Angola – septembre 2009 – élections présidentielles
La Tunisie – octobre 2009 – élections présidentielles/législatives
Le Mozambique – décembre 2009 – élections présidentielles/législatives
La Guinée Equatoriale – décembre 2009 – élections présidentielles
La Côte d’Ivoire – A confirmer

Welcome to the October issue of the ALN newsletter.
First of all, I would like to reiterate my thanks to all the leaders and delegates of African liberal parties who put their trust in me and elected me President of the Africa Liberal Network during the ALN General Assembly meeting held on the 4th of August in Dar Es Salam. I can only assure them that I will do my best to make our Network more efficient, more responsive to the needs of its members, and one with a stronger voice on the African continent.
The ALN strives to promote democracy and the rule of law in Africa, never an easy task, as democracy is a goal to which we continously strive. Our continent has the potential to be the next biggest market in world economy by the middle of the 21th century. We have a wealth of natural resources, determined people, and a young dynamic population. All that is missing is true representative democracy and know-how. This is where we seek the support and solidarity of our European partners and friends.
We are grateful for the continued support of Liberal International who for the past 5 years has held its Congress twice on the African continent (Dakar 2003, Marrakech 2005) and is hoping to host its next Congress in Africa again in 2009. This shows clearly that liberals from around the world share our concern and hope for the future of our continent.
Kind regards
Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ
ALN President
•    South Africa: Transition in South Africa, opportunity for the DA
•    Seychelles: Hard times re-shape the political landscape in Paradise
•    Zambia: UPND nominates Hakainde Hichilema as presidential candidate
•    Malawi: UDF presidential candidate enjoys heavy backing
•    South Africa: A programme of action for President Kgalema Motlanthe
•    DRC: ANADER welcomes resignation of PM Antoine Gisenga
•    Burkina Faso: ADF-RDA to hold congress in November
•    ALN elects new President and adopts constitutional amendments
•    ALN 2008-09 election calendar
South Africa: Transition in South Africa, opportunity for the DA
Jonathan Moakes, Executive Director, Resources & Development
Democratic Alliance, South Africa
The recent month has been a time of great drama and change in South Africa. Over the past few weeks, South Africans have witnessed the most historically significant chain of events in our nascent democracy since the first democratic elections and Nelson Mandela’s subsequent inauguration in 1994.
The dismissal of ANC President Jacob Zuma’s corruption case, the subsequent forced resignation of Thabo Mbeki as the nation’s president and the resultant swearing in of Kgalema Motlanthe as his replacement have awoken many South Africans from their apathetic slumber. These unsettling events have certainly destabilised the country, and caused a great number of citizens to exhibit significant uncertainty and express grave doubts about its future. However, there can be no doubt that the same events have generated great excitement among many South Africans and have galvanised citizens of all races to take an active interest in politics.
It is in this climate of transition, concern about the future and renewed political engagement that one finds a wide avenue of opportunity for the Democratic Alliance. The need for a strong, vibrant, committed opposition, underpinned by liberal principles has never been clearer. With the next general elections barely six months away, the prospects of South Africa’s official opposition making significant inroads into the ANC’s majority are good. Furthermore, to quote Helen Zille, the leader of the Democratic Alliance, the “realignment of South Africa’s politics has begun.”
On 12 September 2008 in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, Judge Chris Nicholson delivered his verdict that the decision of South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute Jacob Zuma on corruption and fraud charges was invalid and therefore should be set aside. Apart from Zuma’s “victory”, the dominant feature of the judgment (seized upon with glee by Zuma’s supporters) was the Judge’s inference that Thabo Mbeki and certain cabinet ministers used instruments of state to pursue factional battles within the African National Congress (ANC). On the basis of this inference, the Zuma faction dominated National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC took the decision a week later to “recall” Thabo Mbeki from his “deployment” as President of the country, the ultimate settling of a political score. A day later (Sunday 21 September 2008), Thabo Mbeki resigned as President.
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Seychelles: Hard times re-shape the political landscape in Paradise
Roger Mancienne, Secretary General
Seychelles National party
The SNP stands to gain as the ruling party is forced to adopt an IMF supported programme of economic reforms
The political battleground is being redefined for the next few years as the Seychelles Government, with the help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), lays out reform measures that spell hardship for the population. The opposition Seychelles National Party (SNP), which has long criticized the Government’s management of the economy, stands to gain as many of its policies are vindicated.
Building on democracy
Since the return to multi-party politics in 1993, two issues have dominated the political landscape. One was democracy, which the party in power had massacred in a period of repressive one-party rule. The SNP’s origins as an underground movement for political liberty and its subsequent campaign for democratic governance and constitutional rights enabled it to grow in stature and become the main opposition, achieving a steady 45% of national support. But while the population continued to enjoy a relatively comfortable standard of living, democracy itself was not enough to sway a majority of people over to the side of the SNP.
As the opposition, the SNP has been able to shift the ruling party closer to democratic standards of governance. In the 15 years of steady and persistent campaigning by the SNP, the ruling party has, even if to defend itself against the criticisms, come to pay more attention to accountability, the rule of law and respect of constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and political activity. For that reason, democracy no longer defines the political landscape so sharply.
But there is the second issue – economic management. The stance of the SNP, in accordance with its liberal philosophy, has always been different from the marxist oriented philosophy of the ruling party. From the outset, the SNP advocated changes of policy towards empowering the private sector, easing government controls, liberalizing the foreign exchange regime, eliminating waste and corruption together with more prudent management of Government finances.
The economic debate
It has been the strength of the ruling party that it had, over much of its 30 years in power, established creditable social services, with free education and healthcare and a variety of welfare benefits, while maintaining the purchasing power of the population.
The problem was that this system was fragile, being supported mostly by a very high level of government borrowing both locally and abroad. The government took a very negligent attitude to managing its debts, simply not repaying numerous bilateral and multi-lateral loans taken at the outset and eventually coming to rely on expensive commercial bank loans.
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Zambia: UPND nominates Hakainde Hichilema as presidential candidate
Tiens Kahenya, Secretary General
United Party for National Development, Zambia
Follwing the death of President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa on August 19 2008, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has since announced October 30, 2008 as the date for the Presidential Election and UPND is fielding party leader Mr. Hakainde Hichilema as its presidential candidate. According to the Zambian constitution, the vacancy in the office of the President has to be filled within 90 days of the demise of the sitting President.
Before the announcement of the Presidential election date, however, the ruling party (MMD) attempted to persuade the Zambian people to agree to a Transitional Government of National Unity, frivolously arguing that it would be extravagant for the country to hold an expensive Presidential Election, when this money could have been channeled towards development.
However, the Zambian people vigilantly stood to protect the constitutional provisions of the country and to maintain Zambia’s good governance record. It was only then that the Government quickly abandoned the mischievous attempt to vandalize the constitution and quickly announced October 30, 2008 as the date for the Presidential Election.
So far three candidates from the three major political parties have indicated their intention to contest the Presidential Election : the United Party for National Development (UPND) president, Hakainde Hichilema (HH), Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata and the ruling party’s Rupiah Bwezani Banda (RB), who is the incumbent acting President.
The UPND officially launched its presidential campaign with a promise to improve the country’s economy.
Addressing a mammoth crowed in Lusaka, Hichilema said that he had the necessary skills and a good team in his Party to move the country forward. Accepting the Party’s nomination as its presidential candidate, Hichilema said UPND would continue with the anti corruption fight, which was the hallmark of the late President’s legacy, while good governance would be a must.
He also pointed out that his government would provide free education up to University level, work towards providing quality health care to all its citizens and guarantee food security through prudent policies in the agricultural sector.
The incumbent President has already started violating the electoral code of conduct, by distributing food stuffs to the electorate in guise of addressing the hunger situation in some parts of the country. As incumbent President he is also allowed to campaign using unlimited state resources, whereas the opposition candidates have to fend for themselves, obviously tilting the electoral playing field to the advantage of the ruling party.
Malawi: UDF presidential candidate enjoys heavy backing
Clement Stambuli, Member of Parliament and Director of Campaigns
United Democratic Front, Malawi
Malawi’s former president and United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential candidate for the May 2009 elections, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, is enjoying heavy backing from four opposition parties which have agreed to approach the 2009 elections with one presidential candidate. The four political parties are the New Republican Party of Gwanda Chakuamba, The Malawi Democratic party of Kamlepo Kalua, The Malavi Progressive Party of Uladi Mussa and the Malawi Democratic Union of Amuna Ndife Mkumba.
The merging of the opposition parties leaves three main contestants for the 2009 elections:Dr. Bakili Muluzi of the United Democratic Front, Hon John Zenus Ungapake Tembo of the Malawi Congress Party and Dr. Bingu Wa Mutharika of the Democratic Progressive Party and current President of Malawi. However, consultations are underway for a possibility of Hon. JZU Tembo of Malawi Congress Party to be a running mate of UDF’s Dr. Bakili Muluzi.
Opinion Polls carried out by the Catholic Church gave over 90% chances of winning the Presidential polls by the opposition, citing various factors most prominent of which is the failure of the current administration to abide by the rule of law. On the Parliamentary polls, predictions are that Bingu Wa Mutharika’s DPP would win only 30 parliamentary seats out of the 193.
South Africa: A programme of action for President Kgalema Motlanthe
Helen Zille, Party Leader
Democratic Alliance, South Africa
The new President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, must act quickly and decisively to gain the confidence of the South African nation, and demonstrate that he can rise above the factional power-plays of the ruling party and govern in the interests of the people as a whole.
He must show that he is the leader of the nation, rather than the chosen proxy for the leader of a victorious faction in the ruling party, at whose behest he was elected President. And for that to happen, he must, at the outset of his term in office, do two things which are in the national interest but which will not serve the self-interest of ANC President Jacob Zuma and his clique.
Firstly, he must announce the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry into the arms deal, headed by a judge nominated by the Chief Justice.
In his verdict on the matter between Jacob Zuma vs. the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Judge Chris Nicholson said of the arms deal: “Only a commission of enquiry can properly rid our land of this cancer that is devouring the body politic and the reputation for integrity built up so assiduously after the fall of Apartheid”.
This proposal – a key recommendation in a judgment which, incidentally, was hailed by the Zuma camp as proof that our judiciary is independent and that constitutional democracy is flourishing – should be adopted by President Motlanthe. In fact, it is only right and just that he should use his constitutional power to appoint such a commission, headed by a judge nominated by the Chief Justice, so that we can get to the whole truth.
The decay of our state institutions, caused by infighting in the ANC and the use of these institutions to wage political battles, partly has its origins in conflicts triggered by the arms deal. President Motlanthe can help to arrest that decay, and prove his commitment to fighting corruption, by appointing a commission without delay.
Secondly, President Motlanthe must state unequivocally that under his administration there will be no ‘political solution’ to Zuma’s legal problems. Any attempt to broker a special political deal for Zuma outside of the courts, with presidential consent, would be illegal and unconstitutional, and would violate the oath of office taken by President Motlanthe when he was sworn in by the Chief Justice yesterday.
It would be a betrayal of his conscience, and a gross infringement of the principle of equality before the law, if President Motlanthe abused his power either to facilitate or condone a political settlement for Zuma.
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DRC: ANADER welcomes resignation of PM Antoine Gisenga
Albi-Bweya Nkiama, International Relations Officer
Alliance Nationale des Démocrates pour la Reconstruction , DRC
In his article Albi-Bweya Nkiama states that ANADER welcomes the resignation of 83 year old PM Antoine Gisenga (Friday 26 September) given his advanced age and the inefficiency and inactivity that characterised his term at the head of the AMP coalition government. Gizenga, the leader of the Lumumbist Party (PALU), was appointed Prime Minister following a deal with Joseph Kabila, after Gizenga emerged third in the 2006 presidential elections and his party backed Kabila during his run-off with arch rival Jean Pierre Bemba.
Nkiama calls on President Kabila to make a judicious choice when appointing the new Prime Minister, one who would be in the best interests of the people of the DRC, rather than on the basis of party politics, and one who would be capable of addressing the long standing problems of the country, notably, the renewed fighting in the Eastern DRC and the ensuing human rights abuses, the recurring public sector strikes, the rising inflation (more than 34%), the mismanagement of public funds, and the prevailing state of insecurity in the country.
Nkiama draws a parallel between the situation in the DRC and the recent political developments in South Africa, noting that Gisenga was forced to resign and that the risk of a split within the AMP coalition was a strong likelihood.
For the full text in French, please click on the following link/ Pour lire l’article complet en Francais, priere de cliquer sur le lien suivant:
https://africaliberalnetwork.org/news_item.aspx?i_PageID=14231&i_News_CatID=16
Burkina Faso: ADF-RDA to hold congress in November
ALN member party ADF-RDA will be holding its 14th congress on the 29th and 30th of November 2008, under the theme of “Economic development and social stability in Burkina Faso: the role of political parties.” The theme was chosen in light of the current global financial and economic crisis and the necessity for political parties to find common appropriate solutions to protect their citizens.  It is worth noting that earlier last month, a cabinet reshuffle in Burkina Faso saw Gilbert Noel Ouedraogo, ADF-RDA party leader, and Ousseni Tamboura, stay in government as Minister of Transport and Minister for Literacy respectively.
To read the press release in French please click on the following link/Pour lire le communique en Francais, priere de cliquer sur le lien suivant:
https://africaliberalnetwork.org/news_item.aspx?i_PageID=14232&i_News_CatID=16
ALN elects new President and adopts constitutional amendments
Fifteen representatives of ALN members parties met in Dar Es Salam, Tanzania, 2-4 August 2008 in order to decide on the best ways of increasing the effectiveness of the Network and to agree an action plan for the next 2 years. The points discussed during the meeting included redefining the roles and responsibilities of office bearers, and of the different bodies within the ALN structure, and reviewing the procedures for admission of new members. The constitutional amendments were officially adopted during the ALN General Assembly which took place on Monday 4 August, together with an action plan for the next 2 years which stressed, among other things, the importance of increasing electoral support to member parties during elections. A new Exectuive Committee was also elected. Dr. Mamadou Lamine Ba from PDS Senegal, adviser to President Wade and Liberal International Vice-President, was elected as the new ALN President, together with 5 regional Vice-Presidents and a Treasurer.
ALN 2008-09 election calendar
Zambia–30 October 2008–Presidential
Mozambique–9 November 2008–Municipal/Provincial
Cote d’Ivoire–30 November 2008–Presidential
South Africa–May 2009–Presidential/ Parliamentary
Malawi–19 May 2009–Presidential/ Parliamentary
DRC–June 2009–Local
Tunisia–October 2009–Presidential/ Parliamentary
Mozambique–December 2009–Presidential/ Parliamentary

The road to democracy has many obstacles. Opposition parties in Africa have made progress in contesting elections, even if conditions remain far from equal. But even when opposition parties can win elections, one big hurdle remains.
We can all see the problem in Zimbabwe. Even if the Movement for Democratic Change can claim, convincingly, that it has won the elections, the ruling power just refuses to allow a peaceful transition. We all witnessed the situation in Kenya and the violence that ensued following the manipulation of election results, which ultimately allowed the ruling party to cling on to the lion’s share of power.
The situation which has been made evident in Zimbabwe and Kenya can occur in most countries in Africa which today have succeeded in establishing the right to multi-party elections. The articles in this issue depict a picture of the struggle of opposition parties from the Seychelles, Tanzania and Cote d’Ivoire  for free and fair elections and a peaceful transition of power; and highlight the threat to democracy when cronyism and corruption become entrenched in the state business, as the case from South Africa illustrates.
Imen Trabelsi
Africa Network Officer
•    Of Referendum and CCM: The Frog’s Kiss That Will Kill Muafaka
•    Defining Procedures for Peaceful Transition. A Requirement of Multi-Party Democracy
•    The Presidential Elections in Cote d’Ivoire and the Kenya/Zimbabwe Syndrome
•    The Criminalisation of the State in South Africa
•    South Africa’s DA Welcomes ALN Interns
•    ALN Holds Workshop on Party Structure and Management, Maputo, Mozambique
•    ALN Members Attend Liberal International Human Rights Forum, Taipei, Taiwan
•    ALN at the Liberal International Congress, Belfast, May 2008
Of Referendum and CCM: The Frog’s Kiss That Will Kill Muafaka
Ismail Jussa, Head of International Relations
Civic United Front, Tanzania
The decision by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to reject the power sharing agreement that was jointly negotiated by its team and that of the Civic United Front (CUF) is to say the least frustrating and disappointing.
It was an anti-climax of more than two years of tiring and exhausting work to find a lasting peace for the islands of Zanzibar which have been beleaguered with a political stand-off since the re-introduction of multi-party system in 1992.
A free and fair election in Zanzibar is an important and critical step in the democratisation process of Tanzania as a whole because in Zanzibar, CUF – a democratic opposition – has won the past three elections and can win the coming elections. It is a litmus test of whether CCM is committed to the democratisation process or it is simply playacting in a process to hoodwink the international community, donor governments and their electorate that Tanzania is part of the expanding democratic community of nations and deserves their financial support.
In 2001 Zanzibar experienced bloodshed perpetrated by government security forces that was proportionately larger than what has taken place in Kenya recently. Zanzibar and Tanzania as a whole deserves better. Prevention is better than cure. Let us all strive to help Tanzania forestall another catastrophe in Africa.
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Defining Procedures for Peaceful Transition. A Requirement of Multi-Party Democracy
Roger Mancienne,Secretary General
Seychelles National Party
Since the return to a pluralistic political system in 1993, the Seychelles National Party (SNP) has campaigned hard and consistently for fair conditions for elections. It has made considerable progress – in particular in improving access to state-funded media and limiting the involvement of the security forces in election campaigns. There remains, however, the big issue of the use of state power and resources for election campaigning purposes.
Apart from the question of fairness in the electoral process, the issue of transfer of power remains an unknown. In 2006, the SNP had a very real chance of winning the Presidential elections and we are convinced we would have done so if the ruling party had not used state resources on a massive scale to influence voters. In the event, the SNP emerged with 46% of the popular vote.
One of the factors that worked against the SNP in that election is that some voters, especially older people, were afraid of what would happen if the SNP won. There was fear that the armed forces would not respect the results and would prevent a transition. There was also fear that the ruling party would not co-operate in allowing a peaceful transition and that the government of the country would be thrown into turmoil.
All these fears stem from one thing : the total absence of an accepted protocol for the transfer of power. Where would the ruling party leave the key to State House in the event that they were called to vacate? This is an issue that the ruling party has refused to address because maintaining the uncertainty confers a distinct advantage. In the face of the uncertainty, many people prefer not to contemplate the risk of change at all.
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The Presidential Elections in Cote d’Ivoire and the Kenya/Zimbabwe Syndrome
Yaya Fanta Kaba Fofana, President of the Technical Commission for Culture and Tourism
Rassemblement Des Republicains, Cote D’Ivoire
The latest announcement that the presidential elections in Cote d’Ivoire will be held on the 30th of November this year, has been met with little hope and a lot of skepticism.
Kaba Fofana gives an overview of the political stalemate in Cote D’Ivoire and considers the questions of whether it is fair to say that the conditions for free and fair elections have been met and whether Cote D’Ivoire could be spared the fate of kenya and Zimbabwe.
To read the full article in French, please click below.
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The Criminalisation of the State in South Africa
Helen Zille, Party Leader
Democratic Alliance, South Africa
There is a thesis that African states fail because corruption ceases to become an aberration that needs to be rooted out. It becomes institutionalised in the system itself. It becomes business as usual.
In such states, politics has nothing to do with a struggle over ideas or even a struggle between ethnic, racial or religious groups. It is about gaining access to the state and, once there, using it for personal enrichment and ensuring that those who helped put you there are sufficiently enriched to help you stay there. Likewise, race and ethnicity are cynically manipulated to mobilise voters to keep you in power.
It is a process that starts with the centralisation of power in a small ruling clique, who deploy their cronies into all key positions, to entrench and protect their interests. Once in power, they move to colonise the mechanisms intended to hold power to account. Without checks and balances on power, corruption becomes inevitable.
Centralisation, cronyism and corruption soon culminate in the full-blown criminalisation of the state.
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South Africa’s DA Welcomes ALN Interns
As part of an ALN initiative to enhance learning and exchanges between member parties, the Democratic Alliance in South Africa recently received Herinandrinanina Andrinananjamanantsoa from MFM Madagascar and Thomas Mongi from CUF Tanzania who took part in a two-week internship. This follows a previous internship which took place in October 2007 with interns from Mozambique and the Seychelles.
The internship, organised and supervised by Gareth Morgan MP, was made up of a series of structured interactions with key role players in the DA’s parliamentary operation and at its National Headquarters. The interns were also invited to observe a number of regular meetings which allowed them to see the DA at work, met with a few MPs including the Chief Whip and the Leader of the Opposition, attended portfolio committee meetings, and had the opportunity to observe oral question time and various debates at the National Assembly. These meetings were backed up by explorations in a key focus area for each of the interns.
The internship provided an excellent opportunity for the participants to gain new ideas approaches and techniques which they said they were keen to implement within their own parties.
ALN Holds Workshop on Party Structure and Management, Maputo, Mozambique
The ALN held a workshop on party structure and management, in Maputo Mozambique, 20-22nd of February. The workshop, hosted by ALN member the Party for Democracy and Development (PDD) and attended by 27 ALN delegates, aimed to boost understanding about the importance of building a party structure that responds to the needs and objectives of the individual party. Themes covered during the workshop included looking at the structure of the party headquarters, the role of members, campaigning, policy and communications.
Following the workshop, the ALN delegates were invited to meet with Mozambique’s president Armando Guebuza.
ALN Members Attend Liberal International Human Rights Forum, Taipei, Taiwan
Ismail Jussa of CUF, Tanzania and Roger Mancienne of SNP, Seychelles represented ALN as speakers at the Liberal International Human Rights Forum which took place in Taipei, 7-9 December 2007. Mr Jussa drew on the previous and current history of Zanzibar to discuss the issue of human trafficking in Tanzania while Mr Mancienne gave an overview of the ALN, its mission and activities. The forum was hosted by the Democratic Progressive Party and centred on the theme of human trafficking.
The event presented an excellent opportunity for both delegates to forge links with other liberals from around the world, and to consider possible ways of fostering cooperation between the ALN and other regional networks.
ALN at the Liberal International Congress, Belfast, May 2008
The Africa Liberal Network will be holding its General Assembly, 15 May 2008, on the fringes of the LI Congress in Belfast. President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal will be one of the speakers at the official opening of the Congress. DA leader, Helen Zille, will be presenting one of the major theme papers. DRC’s ANADER will be presenting a report during the Human Rights Committee meeting on the issue of child soldiers in the DRC. Other presentations will be made by Pr. Ibrahim Lipumba, CUF National Chairman, and Wavel Ramkalawan, SNP leader, during a session on the threats of climate change to poverty alleviation and economic growth in Africa and strategies to promote adaptation in the most vulnerable countries. An ALN motion on Climate Change Adaptation will be submitted to the LI Congress. To view the motion, please click on the following link
https://africaliberalnetwork.org/news_item.aspx?i_PageID=14196&i_News_CatID=18

2007 has been a year of elections in Africa. Over 15 countries are conducting presidential and/or legislative elections including ALN member countries the DRC, Senegal, Burkina Faso, the Seychelles, and Morocco. Kenya will also be going to the polls at the end of the year, and Sierra Leone is set to conduct national elections for the 2nd time since the signing of the Lome Peace Accord in 1999. This points to the increasing nature of democratisation in ALN member states and beyond, notwithstanding the persistence of fraud, underhanded manipulations by the ruling parties and in some instances even violence. The democracy bandwagon is rolling, and it seems, there is no stopping it. Eventually, not even in Zimbabwe.
ALN members continue to enhance the steady progress of the Network. The ALN advocacy campaign on Freedom of Expression was launched in May, and opportunities for the sharing of experiences and exchange of best practice were made possible. The ALN will continue to work towards cementing such initiatives primarily among African liberal parties, but will also be looking to engage with other liberal parties and networks in other regions of the world.
For more ALN news please visit our website on https://https://africaliberalnetwork.org//africaliberalnetwork
Imen Trabelsi
Africa Network Officer
•    DRC’s ANADER and South Africa’s DA Elect New Leaders
•    Burkina’s ADF-RDA and Seychelles’ SNP Hold Legislative Elections
•    Seychelles: Independent Inquiry into Events of Last October Gets Underway
•    Democracy or winning elections : The Dilemma for the SNP. Should Political Parties Take Their Eyes Off The ‘election ball’ To Fight For Fairer Conditions?
•    MFM Takes On the Democratic Challenge in Madagascar
•    Summit of African Liberal Parties’ Leaders, 2-6 May 2007, Johannesburg, South Africa
•    ALN Launches Campaign on Freedom of Expression and Unveils Advocacy Website
DRC’s ANADER and South Africa’s DA Elect New Leaders
Both ALN member parties, ANADER and the Democratic Alliance have named their new leaders. Mr. Kumbu Kumbel was elected party leader of ANADER on the 25 th of March 2007, following the death of former leader Mr.Raphael KUMBU-KI-LUTETE. More recently, Cape Town Mayor Hellen Zille was named party leader of the Democratic Alliance during the party’s Federal Congress, held 5-6 May in Johannesburg. As Zille will also continue to serve as Cape Town Mayor, a new leader of the opposition in Parliament was elected on 24 May, in the person of Sandra Botha, an Afrikaans and a former activist in the Anti-Apartheid mouvement.
Burkina’s ADF-RDA and Seychelles’ SNP Hold Legislative Elections
Following the unexpected dissolution of the Seychelles National Assembly in March this year, the legislative elections which were held in May saw the SNP keep the same number of seats of 11 out of 34. The elections happened in the midst of difficult circumstances for the SNP after they had boycotted Assembly sessions and were busy campaining for fairer conditions for opposition parties in the aftermath of the presidential elections of July 2006. Besides, as the elections had not been due until October 2007,  the SNP was caught off-guard and unprepared. Following the presidential elections of July 2006, the party had little financial resources to mount a full-scale campaign.
During the same month, the legislative elections in Burkina Faso saw ADF-RDA win 14 out of 111 parliamentary seats. This was among allegations of fraud and rigging by the ruling party. The ADF-RDA remains the official opposition in the country.
For a review of the press on the Burkina elections, please click on www.africaliberalnetwork.org/news_item.aspx?i_PageID=14181&i_News_CatID=16
Seychelles: Independent Inquiry into Events of Last October Gets Underway
An independent Inquiry has begun into the bloody events of October 3, 2006, in Victoria when the leader of the opposition Seychelles National Party (SNP) and other party officials were beaten up in front of the National Assembly building. The Inquiry, led by Irish Judge Michael Reilly, is now probing into the events of the day, after considering the situation regarding access to public media by political parties, the issue which led to the incidents.
This part of the Inquiry is focusing on the actions of the police, in particular the anti-riot Special Support Unit (SSU), in the incidents. The Inquiry has questioned a number of the SSU officers involved but the officers have on several occasions told the inquiry they did not see or did not remember critical details of the incidents. None of the police officers involved have admitted seeing any of the SNP leaders being hit. Police officers have on several occasions changed their testimony, making statements to the Inquiry which were different from statements they had made to investigative officers when preparing for the Inquiry. SNP officials have also appeared before the Inquiry to give their account of the events.
The Inquiry continues.
Democracy or winning elections : The Dilemma for the SNP. Should Political Parties Take Their Eyes Off The ‘election ball’ To Fight For Fairer Conditions?
Roger Mancienne— SNP Secretary General
Hasty elections in the Seychelles have left the balance of representation in the National Assembly exactly the same as it was. But for the Seychelles National Party (SNP) it has shown a particular dilemma that opposition parties face. Can an opposition party afford to take its attention away from the election grind to push for fairer political conditions? The SNP found out how difficult it was to do both.
First of all, it may be necessary to clarify that the SNP is still something of a ‘novice’ as a political party. It was formed out of the movement, initially underground and illegal, to bring democracy back to the Seychelles after 16 years of a one-party dictatorship. This was achieved in 1993 and 14 years on, the SNP is still fighting to achieve fair and equitable conditions for political participation. Its attention is still divided between the mission to establish democracy and the more ‘normal’ goal of an established political party, which is to win elections.
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MFM Takes On the Democratic Challenge in Madagascar
Olivier Rakotovazaha— MFM Secretary General
MFM will hold its Executive Committee meeting on 20, 21 and 22 July 2007 in Antananarivo, with the participation of representatives and senior officials from its 22 regional committees. The agenda will focus on the issue of decentralisation and the preparations for the legislative, senatorial and local elections scheduled for this year.
However, the dates for these elections have not been announced yet. This is due to the current electoral law which stipulates that election dates could be announced as late as 3 months before the actual elections. Opposition parties have been calling for the revision and amendment of the electoral law in the face of total refusal by the ruling party.
On the eve of the presidential elections of 3 December 2006, MFM drafted a series of recommendations to this effect which they submitted to international observers. MFM also submitted its recommendations during a roundtable organised by NDI and held on 11 June to discuss electoral law reforms.
MFM has also been calling for further constitutional amendments following the Referendum of 4 April 2007. For a full version in French, please click on
https://africaliberalnetwork.org/news_item.aspx?i_PageID=14182&i_News_CatID=16
Summit of African Liberal Parties’ Leaders, 2-6 May 2007, Johannesburg, South Africa
Representatives from 13 ALN member parties attended a 5 day summit under the theme of “Linking Liberal Parties in Africa: Driving the Liberal Agenda,” held 2-6 May 2007, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event was hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in cooperation with the Africa Liberal Network and the Democratic Alliance.
The summit provided a forum for liberal leaders to identify and share ways of strengthening liberalism in Africa, based on an exchange of their wealth of experiences. Presentations by the parties and ensuing discussions revolved around the current political climate in these countries, the challenges faced, and solutions found. The event also included several guest speakers from the media, civil society and parliament who explored and discussed ways of building links and increasing partnerships in order to foster cooperation and strengthen liberalism in Africa.
Delegates also had the opportunity to share best practices on fundraising techniques, internet campaigning and advocacy campaign management, facilitated by the DA and FNF.
Delegates also attended the DA Federal Congress, held 5-6 May, where Cape Town Mayor Hellen Zille was elected party leader, to succeed outgoing leader Tony Leon.
ALN Launches Campaign on Freedom of Expression and Unveils Advocacy Website
The Africa liberal Network officially launched its campaign on Freedom of Expression on the 4th of May 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The launch event included a speech by DA Spokesperson on Communications, Dene Smuts MP, and unveiled  the new ALN advocacy website on Freedom of Expression. Among other things, the site displays press freedom rankings by region, an activism toolkit which contains useful documents and resources, information on journalists in custody, as well as a Hall of Shame with the 10 most oppressive governments in the world in terms of press freedom. The website could be found at www.africaliberalnetwork.org/advocacy

www.africaliberalnetwork.org
We also would love to hear your views through our discussion forum.
Imen Trabelsi
Africa Network Officer
•    ALN Holds First General Assembly Meeting and Elects ALN President, Dakar, Senegal.
•    Burkina Party ADF- RDA Joins the ALN as Observer Member
•    Mission Accomplished- Tony Leon Announces He Will Relinquish Party Leadership
•    Democracy is More than Elections: The Experience of the Seychelles National Party– by Roger Mancienne, SNP Secretary General
•    Zambia’s Fourth Democratic Elections: A Country of Minority Governments–By Tiens Kahenya, UPND Secretary General
•    The Conflict in Cote d’Ivoire: What’s Next?–By Aly Toure, RDR Member and ALN President
•    ALN Sends Message of Condolences to ANADER for loss of Party Leader
•    ALN 2007 Election Calendar
ALN Holds First General Assembly Meeting and Elects ALN President, Dakar, Senegal.
The ALN held its first General Assembly meeting on Saturday 3rd February 2007, following the workshop on Advocacy and Lobbying at the International level which took place in Dakar, 31st January-2nd February. The meeting provided an opportunity for the members to reach agreement on outstanding issues and to discuss a plan of action for the Network for 2007. The meeting was also an opportunity for the members to elect the first ALN president; Mr. Aly Toure from RDR- Cote d’Ivoire.
Burkina Party ADF- RDA Joins the ALN as Observer Member
ALN members are pleased to welcome a new sister party from Burkina Faso, l’Alliance pour la Democratie et la Federation/Rassemblement Democratique Africain (ADF-RDA). A representative from the party attended the ALN General Assembly meeting in Dakar (3 February 2007) where he gave a brief presentation and answered questions from the ALN members present at the GA. All members then unanimously voted in favour of the ADF-RDA joining the ALN.
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Mission Accomplished- Tony Leon Announces He Will Relinquish Party Leadership
In a statement delivered on Sunday 26 November 2006, DA Leader Tony Leon announced that he will not be seeking nor accepting nomination for the leadership of the Democratic Alliance when the Party Federal Congress convenes in May 2007.The following is an excerpt from his statement.
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Democracy is More than Elections: The Experience of the Seychelles National Party– by Roger Mancienne, SNP Secretary General
2006 has been a watershed year for the Seychelles National Party. In July, it faced a critical presidential election which it lost only narrowly and on October 3, its leaders were beaten up by police at the entrance of the National Assembly building in Victoria. The two events showed that fair and equitable conditions do not come easily in a political system shaped by the one-party mentality. They also changed the party’s outlook and approach to politics. In other words, our experience showed that elections are not enough to say that a country has achieved democracy.
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Zambia’s Fourth Democratic Elections: A Country of Minority Governments–By Tiens Kahenya, UPND Secretary General
IT wouldn’t be wide off the mark to suggest that Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy, as a government of the people for the people and by the people, has almost failed in Africa and Zambia in particular. Since Zambia’s return to multi party democracy in 1991, the country has so far held four elections, three of which have been widely disputed by the civil society and political parties as not reflective of the people’s wishes.
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The Conflict in Cote d’Ivoire: What’s Next?–By Aly Toure, RDR Member and ALN President
Once considered a rare example of stability in the region, Côte d’Ivoire descended into conflict in September 2002 after a failed attempt to topple President Laurent Gbagbo grew into a rebellion that divided the country into two parts: the south controlled by the government, and the north, ruled by the insurgents.
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ALN Sends Message of Condolences to ANADER for loss of Party Leader
During their meeting in Dakar (31 January-3 February 2007),  and upon hearing of the death of ANADER leader Mr.Raphael KUMBU-KI-LUTETE, members of the Africa Liberal Network issued the following statement:
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ALN 2007 Election Calendar
Parliamentary and presidentail elections will be taking place in some of the ALN member countries in 2007 as follows:
Senegal                Presidential elections 25 February
Burkina Faso       Parliamentary elections 6 May
Senegal                Parliamentary elections 3 June
Morocco                Parliamentary elections September 2007
Cote d’Ivoire         Presidential elections October 2007
Seychelles           Parliamentary elections November 2007
Click here to find out more

Operating democratic elections and campaigns in an oppressive environment is very problematic.  Poor economic conditions, civil conflict, corruption, and political instability can be negative forces working against democratic elections.  However, the power to counteract these negatives lies with independent electoral committees and observer bodies who can regulate the electoral process and promulgate the growth of democratic elections.
The challenges faced in this year’s controversial elections in Zimbabwe, Central African Republic, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, and Ethiopia speak to the difficulty of running unscathed democratic elections while under a state of threat and oppression.  The successful handling of some of these elections (Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau) and the problematic outcome of the others (Zimbabwe, Togo and Ethiopia) is a testimony of the necessity of peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections handled by efficient, and well-staffed and resourced, independent electoral commissions.
Looking at the various elections across Africa reveal that progress towards democracy is being made, even in the context of oppression.  The lowered incidents of voting fraud and election related violence highlight the chief areas of improvement.  Now, the key to realizing the principles of democracy throughout elections and campaigns lies with independent electoral commissions and observer bodies that ensure transparency and accountability can trump the forces of oppression.
Some of our member parties like the Civic United Front (Tanzania), Rassemblement des Républicains (Cote d’Ivoire), Alliance National des Démocrates pour la Reconstruction (DRC) are most probably going to be facing elections this year under particularly difficult circumstances.  There are signs that a strained environment might mark the electoral processes in these countries. Consequently, there is a need for the political and civic actors in these countries and their international partners to ensure that the electoral process is peaceful, inclusive, and democratic.
The best way to guarantee this and foster democracy is to enhance the role of independent electoral commissions in the preparations and organisation of elections.
By Erin Smith and Nelson Muffuh
•    The Quest for Peace in Cote d’Ivoire
•    Towards Elections or Chaos in DRC?
•    Liberalism and Plans for Africa’s Development
The Quest for Peace in Cote d’Ivoire
The main political factions in Cote d’Ivoire agreed on the 29th of June 2005 to kick-start a much-delayed process of disarmament and reaffirmed a commitment to hold presidential elections on 30 October.
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Towards Elections or Chaos in DRC?
La situation politique en RDC reste préoccupante suite à la crise politique provoquée par les partis politiques qui ont refusé de siéger dans les institutions de la transition.
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Liberalism and Plans for Africa’s Development
Recent attempts to address poverty in Africa, such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad), have taken on the form of partnerships between African nations and the developed world. Similar initiatives have followed, the most recent of which is British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Commission for Africa. Yet for all their good intentions, most of these proposals are still struggling to get off the ground.
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The first meeting of the international representatives of the Africa Liberal Network took place on 12th – 15th June, 2003 in the Sandton Park Plaza Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa. The meeting was well attended, with delegates from almost all member parties: the PDS in Senegal, the RDR in Cote d’Ivoire, CUF in Tanzania, the UC in Morocco, the PSL in Tunisia, the UPND in Zambia, the SNP in the Seychelles, UDF in Malawi, the UDP in Tanzania, the DA in South Africa, MFM in Madagascar, the PLD in Angola and ANADER in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Observers also attended from Liberal International, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, and the National Democratic Institute.
The meeting was a great success. The founding principles of the Africa Liberal Network were set out in the Johannesburg Declaration, which appears on the next page, and a statement of support was issued for the MDC of Zimbabwe, who were unable to attend the event.
Welcome to the second edition of the Africa Liberal Network newsletter. There has been great progress since the time the last newsletter came out, and we should all be proud of the way our network is progressing. The meeting of party international representatives was a great success, and resulted in both a declaration of the founding principles of the ALN (The Johannesburg Declaration) which can be found on page 3, and a statement of support for the MDC of Zimbabwe who were unfortunately unable to attend the meeting due to the worsening situation in their country. This statement is on page 4 of the newsletter.
The next ALN meeting is the meeting of party leaders, which takes place in Dakar Senegal on 22nd October 2003, and is generously hosted by a great liberal leader, President Wade. This event coincides with the Liberal International Congress, which takes place for the first time in Africa. It is therefore fitting that the Africa Liberal Network should be applying for the status of co-operating organisation at this Congress, contributing to Liberal International’s growing strength in Africa.
The network is starting to attract new parties, some of whom will be attending the Dakar leaders’ meeting as guests, where they will be able to meet current member parties and see the network in action!
A series of future activities are planned for the ALN, starting with a training workshop to take place in winter 2003. The topic for this workshop will be decided in consultation with member parties during the meeting in Dakar.
Last but not least, the ALN will soon have its own website. The domain name has been chosen and reserved as www.africaliberals.org, and work has started on preparing the first pages. There will be links to member party websites, the history and principles of the ALN and details of future and past activities, so please keep us informed of what your party is doing, so that this information can be included.
I look forward to seeing you in Dakar, and continuing the good work!

Welcome to the first edition of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) newsletter.  The Africa Liberal Network is a loose affiliation of liberal democratic African political parties, which was initiated at the Liberal Summer School, held in Mombasa, Kenya, in July 2001.
The purpose of the ALN is to facilitate communication and co-operation between like-minded liberal democratic political parties in Africa.  This will be done through the regular circulation of this newsletter containing news on all member parties and their countries.  The ALN will also be organising meetings and workshops on specific issues of interest to member parties, as well as raising the profile of liberal parties in Africa in the local and international media.
Membership of the ALN is determined by the party’s status in the parent organisation, Liberal International.  The present member parties of the ALN (in alphabetical country order) are:
Members
Full Members
Partido Liberal Democratico (Angola) http://www2.ebonet.net/pld/
Union Democratica Nacional (UDENA) (Equatorial Guinea) (No party website)
United Democratic Front (Malawi) http://www.udfparty.com/
Parti Démocratique Sénégalais (Senegal) http://www.sopionline.com/
Democratic Alliance (South Africa) http://www.da.org.za
Observers
Alliance Nationale des Democrates pour la Reconstruction (ANADER) (DRC) (No party website)
Rassemblement des Republicains (Cote d’Ivoire) http://www.rdrci.org/
Mouvement pour le Progres de Magagascar (MFM) (Madagascar) (No party website)
Mouvement Populaire (Morocco) (No party website)
Union Constitutionelle (Morocco) (No party website)
Seychelles National Party (Seychelles) http://www.seychelles.net/snp/
Civic United Front (Tanzania) http://www.cuftz.org/
United Democratic Party (Tanzania) (No party website)
Parti Social Liberal (Tunisia) (No party website)
Contacts
United Party for National Development (Zambia) http://www.upnd.org/
Movement for Democratic Change (Zimbabwe) http://www.mdczimbabwe.com
Potential New Contacts
The ALN is also open to new parties who fit the criteria.  To find out more about potential new member parties, please see the dedicated section at the end of the newsletter.
This newsletter will be a monthly publication, and will be circulated to all member parties.  If you wish to submit an article concerning your party, country, or an issue of interest to ALN members, please contact Ellen Kelly at the address given in the Feedback section.