Adoptée par le Réseau Liberal Africain lors de la Conférence Sur la crise au Mali et la Gouvernance Sécuritaire en Afrique de l’Ouest.
Bamako, 2 juin 2013
Attendu que le Réseau Libéral Africain, membre de l’Internationale Libérale demeure, conformément au Manifeste d’Oxford de 1947, attaché aux valeurs de Liberté, de Démocratie et de Paix;
Attendu que la situation sécuritaire et démocratique qui prévaut actuellement au Mali constitue une préoccupation majeure pour toute la communauté libérale internationale;
Attendu que le Réseau Libéral Africain, dans sa Charte fondamentale et la Déclaration de Johannesburg de juin 2003, s’est assigné comme mission de défendre et de promouvoir les libertés, la démocratie, la paix et l’Etat de droit partout sur le continent africain;
EXPOSÉ DES MOTIFS
La crise qui a secoué le Mali a eu des conséquences humanitaires sécuritaires et politiques qui ont conduit à une déstabilisation des institutions de l’Etat, des déplacements massifs de populations civiles,

des pertes en vies humaines, des viols sur les femmes, l’enrôlement d’enfants soldats et une destruction sans précédent du patrimoine historique du pays notamment l’incendie de la bibliothèque de Tombouctou, la disparition de manuscrits anciens…
Les partenaires extérieurs et les pays amis à l’instar de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, de l’Union Africaine et de la CEDEAO ont déployé de multiples efforts pour aider le Mali à stabiliser les institutions

étatiques, combattre le terrorisme et recouvrer son intégrité territoriale et sa souveraineté. A cet effet, plusieurs instruments juridiques ont été adoptés en vue de la résolution de la crise.
Cette crise, en ce qu’elle révèle la fragilité des institutions et la rupture du contrat social malien, appelle une solution durable qui implique tant les Maliens de toutes confessions, de toutes ethnies

et de toutes obédiences politiques ou idéologiques, que tous les partenaires du Mali.
Les organisations qui adhèrent à la philosophie libérale, particulièrement le Réseau Libéral Africain, appuyé, entre autres, par la Fondation Friedrich Naumann pour la Liberté, ont un role déterminant à jouer dans la résolution de la crise malienne.
D’un point de vue institutionnel, l’ensemble des démocraties contemporaines puisent dans un même socle commun dont la finalité est la liberté et l’épanouissement des individus. Cela requiert un cadre : l’Etat de droit, la séparation des pouvoirs, la protection des libertés individuelles et collectives, le pluralisme politique, le respect des minorités, la liberté d’expression et d’opinion, la paix et la sécurité.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain propose aux autorités maliennes, à tous les acteurs de la crise ainsi qu’à la communauté internationale, régionale et sous régionale ce qui suit:
Résolution
1. Pour une refondation de l’Etat de droit:
a) Reconstruire un Etat fondé sur la citoyenneté, des institutions crédibles et une décentralisation effective;
b) Mettre en place les mécanismes d’une justice indépendante, impartiale et équitable et, entre autres, une Commission Vérité, Justice et Réconciliation;
c) Redéfinir la place, les rôles et responsabilités des forces de défense et de sécurité dans la gouvernance démocratique globale du pays;
d) Définir un nouveau contrat social par le recentrage de la place de la laïcité dans l’Etat;
e) Restaurer la confiance entre les acteurs de la crise et assurer la pacification effective de la totalité du territoire national en vue de l’organisation des élections;
f) Elaborer un code de bonne conduite pour tous les acteurs du processus électoral.
2. Pour une garantie effective de la sécurité des populations:
a) Mettre en place un dispositif de protection et de sécurisation des populations et de leurs biens;
b) Mettre en place une force sous régionale spécialisée dans la lute contre toute forme de criminalité organisée, notamment les mouvements terroristes et les réseaux de narcotrafiquants;
c) Veiller à la création de meilleures conditions de retour des populations déplacées et refugiés en vue de renforcer la cohesion sociale et l’unité nationale.
3. Mise en place d’un mécanisme d’alerte, de suivi et d’évaluation Mettre en place un Comité de veille, de suivi et d’évaluation du processus de sortie de crise:
a)  Renforcer l’efficacité du mécanisme d’alerte précoce au niveau sous régional en veillant à la mise en oeuvre effective de ses recommandations et en assurant la mutualisation des forces d’intervention;
b) Identifier les éventuels facteurs de blocage susceptibles de perturber le processus de réconciliation nationale et y apporter des solutions adéquates;
c) Veiller à créer des liens de coopération et de coordination efficaces avec les cadres stratégiques de l’Union Africaine, de l’Union Européenne et de l’Organisation des Nations Unies.
Ont signé:
– M. Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, Président du Réseau Libéral

Africain, Président de l’ARC / RD Congo
– Me Gilbert Noël Ouedraogo, Vice-Président du Réseau

Libéral Africain, Président de l’ADF-RDA / Burkina Faso
– M. Ousmane Ben Fana Traoré, Président du PCR / Mali
– Honorable Sidibe Abdoulaye, RDR / Côte d’Ivoire
– Dr. Lamine Ba, Président PLC / Sénégal
– Dr. Malick Dieng, PDS / Sénégal
– M. Alpha Diallo, Président du PULS / Guinée
– Dr. Youssouf Sylla, UFDG / Guinée
– Dr. Aissata Daffé, UFR / Guinée
– Honorable Thierno Bocoum, REWMI / Sénégal (observateur)
– Me Djibril War, APR / Sénégal (observateur)

Adopted by the Africa Liberal Network at the ‘Conference on the Malian crisis and security in West Africa’ hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
Bamako, 2 June 2013.
Whereas the Africa Liberal Network is a member of Liberal International, which is guided by the Oxford Manifesto of 1947 which outlines the values of freedom, democracy and peace ascribed to by all its members;
Whereas the current security and political situation in Mali is of major concern to the international liberal community;
Whereas the mission of the ALN, as set out in its founding Charter and the Johannesburg Declaration of June 2003, is to defend and promote freedom, democracy, peace and the rule of law across the African continent.
Background
The conflict that shook Mali resulted in a massive humanitarian and political crisis that destabilised state institutions, led to the widespread displacement of civilians and a loss of human life, the rape and abuse of women, the enrollment child soldiers and unprecedented destruction of the country’s heritage, including the burning of the Timbuktu library and the disappearance of ancient manuscripts.
Numerous stakeholders including the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS and various other countries intervened in order to stabilise Mali’s state institutions, halt terrorist attacks and recover the nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. To this end, several legal instruments have been adopted in order to support a swift resolution to the crisis.
The crisis revealed the fragility of Mali’s state institutions, and in addressing it, a new social contract is required that calls for a sustainable solution that includes Malians of all faiths, ethnicities and all political or ideological persuasions.
Organizations that adhere to liberal democratic philosophy, particularly the Africa Liberal Network, supported by, amongst others, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, have a role to play in resolving the crisis in Mali.
From the ALN’s point of view, all contemporary democracies must be rooted in the same common values of freedom of the individual in order to be successful. These values must be rooted in a framework that includes the rule of law, separation of powers, protection of individual and collective freedoms, political pluralism, respect for minorities, freedom of expression, peace and safety.
Flowing from these common values of democracy, the ALN makes the following proposals in order to address the situation in Mali:
Resolution
1. Re-establish the rule of law:
a. Rebuild a credible, decentralised state;
b. Establish an independent and fair judiciary and a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission;
c. Redefine the role and responsibilities of the defense and security forces as supporting mechanisms for democratic governance in the country;
d. Define a new social contract underpinned by a secular state;
e. Restore trust between all players in the crisis and unite them in working towards the organisation of elections;
f. Develop a code of conduct for all participants in the electoral process.
2. Effectively guarantee the safety of people:
a. Ensure the effective protection and security of people and property;
b. Establish a specialised regional force to fight against all forms of organized crime, including terrorist groups and drug trafficking networks;
c. Ensure the creation of conditions for the return of displaced persons and refugees in order to strengthen social cohesion and national unity.
3. Establish a system for monitoring and evaluating the process and issuing early warnings if necessary:
a. Establish a committee for monitoring and evaluating the crisis resolution process;
b. Ensure that there is a regional body to oversee the effective implementation of the crisis resolution process and intervene if required;
c. Identify potential factors that may disrupt the national reconciliation process and make appropriate preemptive interventions;
d. Create links with the African Union, European Union and the United Nations in order to secure their cooperation and support with the crisis turnaround plan.
Signed:
– Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, President of the ALN, President of the ARC / DR Congo
– Mr. Gilbert Noël Ouedraogo, Vice-President of the ALN, President of the ADF-RDA / Burkina Faso
– Ben Fana Ousmane Traoré, President of PCR / Mali
– Honourable Abdoulaye Sidibe, RDR / Ivory Coast
– Dr. Lamine Ba, President of PLC / Senegal
– Dr. Malick Dieng, PDS / Senegal
– Mr. Alpha Diallo, President of the PULS / Guinea
– Dr. Youssouf Sylla, UFDG / Guinea
– Dr. Aïssata Daffé, UFR / Guinea
– Honorable Thierno Bocoum Rewmi / Senegal (observer)
– Me Djibril War, APR / Senegal (observer)

On behalf of the African Liberal Network (ALN), I will today write to Faith Pansy Tlakula, the special rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and ask her to investigate the new media law passed by Burundi’s National Assembly in April and promulgated earlier this week by President Pierre Nkurunziza.
The President has promulgated the bill into law despite serious concerns being raised internationally about provisions in the bill that will severely restrict journalists’ ability to report freely on matters in Burundi through the imposition of heavy fines and jail sentences. The bill also weakens protection for sources and requires all journalists to have a university degree regardless of their work experience.
The media bill stands in direct contravention to the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Burundi is a signatory, that commits countries to uphold freedom of information and expression.
In my letter to the special rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information, I will ask her to investigate the provisions of the Burundian media bill that violate the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and make appropriate recommendations to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights regarding further sanctions.
The key mandate of the special rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information is to analyse national media legislation within Member States, monitor their compliance with freedom of expression and access to information standards, undertake fact-finding missions to Member States to investigate reports of systemic violations of the right to freedom of expression and denial of access to information and make appropriate recommendations and public interventions.
The rights to freedom of information and expression, as well as an independent and diverse media, are central to the realisation of real democracy. Without these rights democracy in Burundi is a farce. In line with the Liberal Manifesto for Africa drafted and adopted by the ALN, we will, along with our Burundian member party, the Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau (ADR), champion the rights to freedom of expression in Burundi until such time as they are delivered in both form and substance.
Media enquiries:
Olivier Kamitatu Etsu
Africa Liberal Network President
+24 381 268 1774
Aimee Franklin
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 72 232 0127

The African Liberal Network (ALN) urges the international community to join us in strongly condemning Monday’s alleged raid by Ugandan government security forces on the Daily Monitor newspaper and its two radio stations. During the raid the security forces shut down the publication’s operations using a search warrant that the publication was not given the opportunity to contest.
This action constitutes a direct threat to media freedom in Uganda, a country in which the African Media Barometer stated that: “State surveillance structures… continue to create a climate of fear among journalists as well as potential information sources, resulting in increasing cases of self-censorship. A disturbing trend of self-censorship through reportage of social rather than political issues leading to the downplaying of important issues is emerging.”
By using intimidation to restrict journalists’ abilities to report freely on matters, the Ugandan government stands in direct contravention of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which the country is a signatory.
The rights to freedom of information and expression, as well as an independent and diverse media, are enshrined in the Charter, and are central to the realisation of real democracy in any country. Without these rights democracy in Uganda is hollow.
The intimidation of journalists in Uganda cannot be allowed to continue. In line with the Liberal Manifesto for Africa drafted and adopted by the ALN, we will, along with our Ugandan member party, Liberal Democratic Transparency (LDT), continue to monitor the situation and champion the right to a free media in Uganda.
Media enquiries:
Olivier Kamitatu Etsu
Africa Liberal Network President
+24 381 268 1774
Aimee Franklin
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 72 232 0127

On behalf of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) I call on the international community to join me in expressing concern about the upcoming Ethiopian elections, scheduled for 14 and 21 April, around which an increasing number of incidents of unfair practices are being reported. As well as a petition signed by thirty-four Ethiopian opposition parties taking issue with a number of electoral irregularities, ALN member party, the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), have brought a number of concerns to the network’s attention.
These include:
1) The withholding of financial electoral campaign support for political parties by the government, contrary to long standing practice and the Electoral Code,
2) Opposition candidates being denied access to the media,
3) Reportedly wide-spread intimidation of voters by local officials aligned with the ruling party,
4) Irregularities in voter registration by the National Election Board, including the issuing of multiple ballots and a failure to check the residential status of voters, and,
5) Reported abuse of government funds by the ruling party for the purposes of campaigning.
Despite continued dialogue with the National Election Board, the Ethiopian Democratic Party have withdrawn all but one candidate from the election in protest against continued practices that they deem to render the electoral process neither free nor fair.
I urge all parties, as well as the National Election Board, to engage in open dialogue regarding these issues, and for the international community to closely monitor the elections in the interests of upholding democracy in Ethiopia.
Media enquiries:
Olivier Kamitatu Etsu
Africa Liberal Network President
+24 381 268 1774
Aimee Franklin
Africa Liberal Network Coordinator
+27 72 232 0127 or +44 75 5700 9023

Le Président du Réseau Libéral Africain, RLA, l’Honorable Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, déplore la répression brutale par les forces de l’ordre de la manifestation pacifique organisée par l’opposition guinéenne le 27 février dernier. Ces violences dirigée contre la population a entrainé des dégâts matériels importants, deux cents blessés et la mort  de huit civils et d’un policier. Le Président du Réseau présente ses condoléances attristées aux familles endeuillées et exprime sa vive préoccupation devant la persistance des violences  cinq jours après la marche  du 27 Février.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain et tous ses membres condamnent sans appel l’usage des armes à feu par les forces de sécurité guinéennes et demandent à ce que les responsables des tueries et des blessures soient traduits devant la justice.  Par ailleurs, le RLA condamne fermement les agressions perpétrées contre les journalistes, les membres de la société civile et les militants des partis politiques
Le Réseau Libéral Africain soutient la décision de ses membres –  l’Union des Forces Démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG), l’Union des Forces Républicaines (UFR) et le Parti de l’Unité et du Libéralisme Social (PULS) – ainsi que celle des autres partis de l’opposition, de se retirer des discussions aussi longtemps que leurs revendications légitimes n’auront pas été traitées à travers un dialogue inclusif dirigé  par un médiateur impartial et crédible.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain est persuadé que dans les conditions actuelles, les élections législatives prévues pour le 12 mai 2013 ne seront ni libres ni démocratiques, et qu’elles pourraient  de ce fait conduire à  des violences susceptibles de mettre en danger la stabilité et l’unité du pays.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain demande au Président Condé de prendre en considération les revendications légitimes de l’opposition et qu’il fasse en sorte que – deux années après son élection controversée –  la Guinée se dote, enfin, d’un Parlement qui soit l’expression de la volonté populaire.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain lance un appel aux partenaires techniques et financiers de la Guinée notamment la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO), l’Union Africaine, les Nations Unies, la Francophonie et l’Union Européenne pour qu’ils exhortent les autorités guinéennes à organiser des élections inclusives libres et à transparentes dans un climat apaisé.
Le Réseau Libéral Africain travaillera avec tous les partis membres et avec l’Internationale Libérale afin que tout le soutien soit accordé à la mise œuvre sur une base consensuel d’un processus électoral conduisant à des élections démocratiques dont les résultats seront acceptés par tous.
Le RLA exhortent les autorités guinéennes veiller au respect des droits humains et des libertés fondamentales et à ce que tous les auteurs et commanditaires des crimes commis contre les manifestants pacifiques soient traduits en justice pour être punis conformément à la loi
 
 
 
Fait à Cape Town, le 4 mars 2013

The President of the Africa Liberal Network (ALN), Hon. Olivier Kamitatu Etsu, deplores the brutal repression by the forces of order against the peaceful demonstration organised by the Guinean opposition on 27 February. This violence against the populations led to the destruction of property, two hundred injured and the death of eight civilians and a policeman. The President  conveys his condolences to the grieving families and remains extremely concerned by the reported continuation of the violence.
The ALN and its members unequivocally condemn the use of live rounds by the Guinean security forces, and calls for those responsible for injury and death to be brought to justice. Further, the ALN strongly condemns attacks on journalists, members of civil society and politicians.
The ALN support the decision of its members – Union des Forces Démocratiques de Guinée (UFDG), Union des Forces Républicaines (UFR), and Parti de l’Unité et du Libéralisme Social (PULS) – as well as other opposition parties, to withdraw from the discussions until their legitimate grievances are addressed properly, through a meaningful and inclusive dialogue of all stakeholders and facilitated by a respected and impartial broker.
The ALN believes that in the current conditions the legislative elections scheduled for 12th May 2013 will be neither free nor democratic, and may lead to further violence jeopardising the stability and unity of the country.
The ALN calls on President Condé to consider the legitimate views of the opposition and ensure that – two years following his own controversial election – Guinea finally has a parliament which reflects popular will.
The ALN calls on key technical and financial partners such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), La Francophonie, and the European Union (EU) to encourage the Guinean authorities to organise open and transparent elections in a peaceful environment.
The ALN will work with its member parties and with Liberal International to ensure that all support is given towards building consensus and implementing an electoral process which leads to democratic polls of which the results are accepted by all parties.
The ALN calls on the Guinean authorities to monitor the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that any actors implicated in the attacks on peaceful are brought to justice and sanctioned with the full force of the law.
Cape Town, Monday 4 March 2013

Dear Adil,
I came across the above article dated 18th February 2013 on the website of the Liberal Democratic Party – Sudan (LDP) which I read with great interest.
However, it is my opinion that the piece does not give the full picture. I think the below points should be given due consideration in order to be able to portray a more balanced view of the situation.
The Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan entered into negotiations under the guidance of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel for Sudan and South Sudan and signed a number of agreements in Addis Ababa on 27th September 2012. There were further negotiations at beginning of January 2013.
In the “Agreement on Certain Economic Matters” it was settled under Para 6, inter alia, to pursue a joint approach to the international community to gain support  for programmes and projects responding to urgent development challenges in both countries.
As the Federal Republic of Germany has pledged with other countries to actively support the peace and reconstruction process in and between the two Sudans, it responded positively to a request from the two governments in accordance with the aforementioned agreement to have a “Germany – Sudan and South Sudan Business Day” organised by German business through the Afrika Verein (German-African Business Association) and the Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  So the Business Day took place on 29th January 2013.
Business interactions in and with other countries were indeed postponed as mentioned in the article, but will take place this year. The delay was due to the fact that the negotiations had not been finalised and had not covered all problem areas yet. As I have heard the interactions in and with Turkey will happen soon and other countries are very keen to follow.
The business interaction was not a Government activity though it had the support of the German Government in line with the agreements mentioned and the objective to bring peace and development to the region, specifically to Sudan and South Sudan.
As the business day in Germany was held under the patronage of the German Government, the Foreign Minister opened the meeting with a welcome speech. In this he pointed out that peace and reconciliation between the two countries require economic development, economic interactions and social participation.
One of the building blocks for a brighter, more democratic, more prosperous future for all is the establishment of a vibrant and open economy, in which all citizens have the opportunity to participate. Doing business in such an environment is what Germany is interested in. The shift to such an economy,however, is not easy and will require much time and many negotiations of all sorts. One must start somewhere.
The minister put particular emphasis on the fact that the existing problems in Dafur, Kordofan, Blue Nile and Jonglei as well as in other places and regions have to be solved.
He stressed that the German government supports the peace process to help the people, the human beings in both countries. In addition and very importantly,he expressed the view that the potential of the region can only be of advantage to the people if the following preconditions exist: 1) Good Governance, 2) the rule of law and 3) the comprehensive realisation of human and civil rights. Only once these preconditions are fulfilled can the two states have a bright future. According to the minister, a vital part of these conditions is that civil society organisations as well as the media can work freely and without constraints.
The above shows that Minister Westerwelle is aware of the problems which the article points out and is pushing for the implementation of key liberal values.
In a way the article calls for a boycott of the Sudanese Government due to its terrible record of human rights violations, the misuse of public funds and corruption. I am aware that there are two schools of thought: one that calls for a boycott,no interactions with government and a constant attack on the regime. The other school argues for continued interaction without denying the violations but bringing those up only in each and every interaction.
From my own experience I would advocate against a boycott as that will not bring about a solution. Cutting off all interactions would rob one of the opportunity to influence the situation entirely. It would also stand in the way of developing an exit strategy for the powers that be. I do not see that a boycott will aid in changing the government or the actions of people in government. Their stance would harden. Hostility would grow. I am also aware that interactions will not bring an immediate or short term change. The transition from corruption and oppression to peace, democracy, openness and equal opportunity for all is a slow and painful process and I can understand that one might become impatient.
I am sure that the African Liberal Network to which LDP is a member will help to push for democratic reforms and its implementation in all member countries.
Kind regards,
Hubertus
Hubertus von Welck
Regional Director
Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit
Regional Office Africa
PO Box 1130
Parklands 2121
South Africa

“Bosco Ntaganda’s arrest is a major step forward for justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His transfer to The Hague is a strong signal that announces the end of impunity in the East of the country. It is a real hope of a different future for more than two million displaced persons, tens of thousands of women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence, and so many children out of schools. Those who are responsible for this bloody chaos must now take in consideration their accountability and reconsider their strategy, particularly the Congolese leaders and officers who are supporting militias in Eastern Congo.
“By cooperating with the United States of America, the Rwandan authorities have finally demonstrated their capacity to change. From being the problem, they must now be acknowledged by the Congolese Government as part of the solution to the crisis.
Regrettably, Bosco Ntaganda’s arrest does not mean an immediate end to violence in Eastern Congo. Since 2011, many armed groups have been operating from the border of South Sudan to the north of Katanga Province. With the exception of the M23 which Bosco led, all the militias are hostile to Rwanda and Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese. Most of them are driven by corrupt politicians and supported by high-ranking officers involved in the illegal exploitation of minerals. The profits generated from trading minerals are used to keep Eastern Congo under their influence and prolong the illicit enrichment of a small clique at the expense of Congolese citizens.
“Above all, without a well-trained and disciplined national army, DRC remains a sanctuary for armed groups, negative forces and terrorists. As a fragile State, DRC has no capacity to restore its authority over Eastern Congo. The Addis Ababa Peace Accord signed on the 24th February by eleven Heads of State under the auspicious of UN, AU, CIRGL and SADAC is the best framework for peace in DRC and the Great Lakes Region. It addresses not only the Congolese concerns (security sector reform; greater decentralization; improved governance; further democratization; protection of human rights; and moves to reform the public finances, and promote greater infrastructure development etc.) but also the regional aspects by asking the neighbours to put an end to their interference and cease their support to armed groups operating in DRC. The UN’s appointment of Mary Robinson as Special envoy for Great Lakes must be welcomed as she will have to report to New York the progress in the implementation of the Accord; while with the reinforcement of a UN brigade dedicated to eradicate the armed groups, the implementation of Addis Abeba Accord can be seriously envisaged. In that light, Bosco Ntaganda’s case will be a serious deterrent for those who are still engaged in promoting chaos and anarchy.
“In the Addis Ababa Accord, President Kabila is invited to launch a national reconciliation process that must lead to an all inclusive government. He has already accepted to organize a forum to reinforce “national cohesion.” If the opposition accepts to attend the dialogue, President Kabila will have the opportunity to seize this momentum in the view to forging a consensus on the governance of Congo.
“Domestically, President Kabila’s key objectives for the next two years include tackling corruption; mobilizing greater internal financial resources by the reform of the Tax and Revenue Administration; reforming the mining code in order to promote transparency in mineral resources trade; promoting doing business; implementing the decentralization process, and restoring the people confidence in the electoral process by organizing a census. At the same time, with the support of his partners, DRC needs to accelerate the construction of a national Army that will have the capacity to defend Congo’s territorial integrity.
“Finally, today, the UN and EU must support or promote a frank and respectful dialogue between Rwanda, Uganda, and DRC. The UN must encourage fruitful ways in which DRC and his neighbours share a same vision for prosperity and development in the Great Lakes Region. By implementing the Addis Ababa Accord, the leaders of the Region will promote a durable peace in Congo. The dismantling of M23 hardliners, the appointment of a UN special Envoy, the deployment of UN forces mandated to eradicate armed groups, and a inclusive dialogue in Congo must also be seen as good signals that contribute to the DRC stability.”