Supported by Liberal International President, Hans van Baalen MEP, the Africa Liberal Network General Assembly:
Takes account of information from different independent sources including human rights organisations working in the Great Lakes Region of Africa such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International; organisations which defend journalists such as Reporters Without Boarders; and organisations campaigning against corruption such as Transparency International;
Considering the report of the European Commission on the recent elections in Burundi;
In light of the deterioration of the security situation and the increase in the number of human rights violations particularly where the forces of public order were involved;
Taking into account the socio-political disorder in Burundi which risks upsetting the entire Great Lakes Region of Africa;
Considering that the deterioration of the security situation resulted in a contentious election which has still yet to be resolved;
Taking into account the elements of an eloquent testimony just made the Honorable Alice Nzomukunda, former Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi, former Vice-President of the National Assembly, current Africa Liberal Network Vice-President for Central Africa, and President of the Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau (ADR), Liberal International member;
The Africa Liberal Network met from 11-13 November in Cape Town, South Africa adopting a resolution on Burundi. The constituent elements are:
1. The Africa Liberal Network regrets that the elections in Burundi were marked by the inability of opposition parties to verify the regularity of the process because of “the results were not publically displayed at polling stations, and political party agents were prevented from obtaining a copy of the report.”(1).
2. ALN regretted that the ruling government and the Independent National Electoral Commission did not listen to the opposition and resolve the electoral dispute in time, thus exacerbating political tensions, the consequences of which are visible to the naked eye;
3. ALN regrets that the electoral process which began on 24 May 2010 was continued in the total absence of opposition;
4. ALN also regrets that even after the election period, the government in Bujumbura rejected any proposal of the opposition parties to begin a political dialogue between partners, even though the country then descended into violence;
5. ALN regrets that the government in Bujumbura used force to resolve political differences;
6. ALN further regrets that Burundi remains a country with a high-level of corruption, seriously hindering any efforts to attract investment or to fight against poverty (4);
7. The Africa Liberal Network condemns the arrests of opposition activists and restrictions on political party activities that marked the pre-election and election period and continues to this day;
8. ALN condemns in the strongest terms the torture and extrajudicial killings criticised by the international community and organizations defending human rights; (2.3)
9. ALN condemns the persecution of leaders of opposition parties, forcing them into exile or underground life;
10. The Africa Liberal Network demands an end to arbitrary arrests, imprisonments, murders of opposition activists and the unconditional release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience;
11. ALN calls for an international commission to be established to investigate the killings in all regions of Burundi;
12. ALN calls for the ban on political activities of opposition parties to be lifted and hopes that this will create an atmosphere which will facilitate the return of the leaders in exile or in hiding;
13. The Africa Liberal Network asks the Burundian government to negotiate with opposition parties to find solutions to problems of security, human rights, and to end the electoral disputes;
14. ALN asks donors to suspend direct aid to the Burundian government, and instead to support the Burundian people directly through NGOs, until such a point as real negotiations commence with the coalition of opposition parties: ADC-IKIBIRI.
15. The ALN requests the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, and regional organizations, to continue to monitor closely the political and security situation in Burundi.
Cape Town, 13 November 2010

The Africa Liberal Network supports the process of democratisation in Sudan and calls on the Government of Sudan to respect the constitution, to continue the peace process in Darfur, and to respect the outcome of the upcoming referendum in Southern Sudan. ALN calls on the international community to assist where it can in this regard, and welcomes its new observer member, South Sudan Liberal Party, which was recently established by existing member, Liberal Democratic Party of Sudan in anticipation of the referendum scheduled for January 2011.
The Africa Liberal Network watches with deep concern the situation of the population in Darfur, Western Sudan. ALN calls for the immediate release of Darfurian human rights activists arrested on 30 October 2010 and subsequently. The ALN supports the peace negotiations and understands the need for a comprehensive peace in the region based on respecting the fundamental rights of the citizens and an equitable sharing of power in the country. ALN supports the initiative of Darfur Democratic Forum and other Sudanese liberals and democrats in working towards a lasting peace in Darfur.

Follwing elections in Zanzibar on 31 October 2010, in which the Civic United Front Presidential candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad, obtained 49% of the vote; a new Government of National Unity (GNU) has been formed.
Malim Seif has been appointed as First Vice-President of Zanzibar and the GNU cabinet now includes 7 CUF Ministers and one Minister without portfolio. These are as follows:
1.Minister of State 1st Vice Presidents Office: Ms Fatma Abdulhabib Fereji
2.Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs: Mr Aboubakar Khamis Bakary
3.Minister for Health: Mr Juma Duni Haji
4.Minister for Livestock and Fisheries: Mr Said Ali Mbarouk
5.Minister for Infrastructure and Communications: Mr Hamad Masoud Hamad
6.Minister for Trade, Industries and Markets: Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui
7.Minister for Information, Tourism, culture and Sports: Mr Abdilahi Jihad Hassan
8. Minister without Portfolio: Mr Haji Faki Shaali.

Hans van Baalen MEP, President of Liberal International, has spoken out on Burundi, supporting the resolution adopted by the Africa Liberal Network General Assembly in Cape Town.
http://www.liberal-international.org/congressExecutiveListAll.asp?ia_id=1257

Nous, Leaders des Partis Libéraux Africains, membres du Réseau Libéral Africain, réunis en Assemblée Générale du 11-13 Novembre 2010 au Cape Town, en Afrique du Sud, faisons appel à la communauté internationale et aux amis libéraux du Monde entier concernant la situation qui prévaut à Madagascar et condamne :
Spécifiquement le refus de l’application des accords politiques signés par les quatre Chefs de file des Mouvances Politiques par Monsieur Andry RAJOELINA :
Malgré la confirmation par l’ensemble de la Communauté internationale (ONU, GIC-M, UE, UA, OIF, SADC, etc.) de la condamnation de toute prise de pouvoir extraconstitutionnelle et du retour dans les meilleurs délais de manière consensuelle et inclusive à l’ordre constitutionnel, le pouvoir de facto poursuit d’une manière unilatérale à organiser un référendum le 17 Novembre 2010 sur une Constitution taillée à la mesure de Monsieur Andry RAJOELINA et des élections communales anticipées le 20 Décembre 2010, une continuation de l’esprit de coup de force pour une destitution déguisée des Maires élus au suffrage universel tout en ignorant les sanctions internationales et en tenant en otage la population, la première victime de ces sanctions (chômage, sous-emploi, inflation, éclatement familial…)
Afin de favoriser la recherche d’une solution malgacho-malgache, l’Alliance des Organisations de la Société Civile, la Coalition des Organisations de la Société Civile et le KMF/CNOE ont de commun accord institué la Coordination Nationale des Organisations de la Société Civile ou CNOSC, une structure qui a obtenu l’appui de la Communauté Internationale pour assurer la facilitation de la médiation en appui à l’équipe de la SADC et présidée par l’Ancien Président de Mozambique, Monsieur Joaquim CHISSANO mais les autorités de facto adoptent toujours une démarche unilatérale et une stratégie du fait accompli dans la nomination des membres des institutions prévues par la Charte de Maputo (Parlement, CENI) ;
Le mépris des droits de l’Homme et de la liberté :
La liberté d’expression n’existe plus. Les forces de l’ordre sont utilisées, à des fins politiques, pour mâter ceux qui persistent à faire connaître leur opinion. Les preuves sont :
– Le monopole du media public par les partisans de la HAT dirigée par Mr Andry RAJOELINA.
– L’interdiction ou la complication des formalités administratives pour l’organisation de réunion publique.
– Les difficultés pour l’obtention de l’autorisation pour l’organisation d’un culte pour le pays.
– La fermeture des médias ne partageant pas le point de vue des dirigeants.
– L’arrestation arbitraire des Leaders politiques de la Mouvance Ravalomanana le 11 Novembre 2010 pour avoir organisé une manifestation préalablement autorisée par la municipalité au stade MALACAM et la répression musclée des manifestants en pleine période de campagne pour le référendum du 17 Novembre 2010.
– Terreur et menaces de mort à l’endroit des ecclésiastiques traqués pendant trois mois après le culte du 20 Mai 2010 par des membres des forces de l’ordre armés qui obligent les membres de leur famille à quitter avec regret leurs foyers.
Et notamment l’absence de considération des détenus politiques 2009-2010.
Il n’y a aucune considération pour les grévistes de la faim, même pour ceux qui sont malades. Certains qui ont bénéficié d’une liberté provisoire ont été vite réincarcérés, à la suite d’invention de nouvelles charges.
En conséquence, nous interpellons la Communauté Internationale et les pays amis et partenaires de Madagascar, tous les Libéraux du monde entier à assumer leur responsabilité pour que le pouvoir de fait cesse cette pratique indigne du 21ème Siècle, étant donné que Madagascar est signataire des différentes conventions internationales sur la défense des droits de l’Homme et de la liberté.

We, Leaders of the African Liberal Parties, members of the Africa Liberal Network, in a General Assembly from 11-13 November 2010 in Cape Town, in South Africa, call upon the international community and Friends Liberals in the World concerning the situation which prevails in Madagascar:
ALN condemns Andry RAJOELINA’s refusal to implement the political agreements signed by the four Heads of Political Groups by:
In spite of the confirmation by the International Community (UNO, ICG-M, EU, AU, OIF, SADC, etc.) of an unconstitutional change of government and their recommendation to return as soon as possible in a consensual and inclusive way the constitutional order, the de facto power continues in an unilateral way. It plans to organize a referendum on 17th November 2010 to vote a Constitution which suits Mr Andry RAJOELINA’s ambition and plan anticipated communal elections on 20th December 2010. This continues the spirit of the coup for a disguised dismissal of the Mayors which were elected by general election while being unaware of the international sanctions and holding as an hostage the whole population which are the first victims of these sanctions (unemployment, under-employment, inflation, family division).
In order to support the search for a Malagasy-Madagascan solution, the Alliance of the Civil Society Organizations, the Coalition of the Civil Society Organizations and the KMF/CNOE (a national organization of elections observers) have by mutual agreement instituted the National Coordination of the Civil Society Organizations (CNOSC), a structure which obtained the support of the International Community to ensure the facilitation in support to the SADC mediation team chaired by Former President of Mozambique, Mr Joaquim CHISSANO but the de facto authorities always adopt an unilateral step and an accomplished fact strategy in the appointment of the members of the institutions set by the Charter of Maputo (Parliament, CENI)
ALN condemns the disregard of Human rights and freedom:
The freedom of speech does not exist anymore. Police force is used, with political objectives, to prohibit those who persist to express their opinion. Obvious problems are:
– the monopoly of the public media by the partisans of the HAT led by Mr Andry RAJOELINA.
– the prohibition or the complication of the administrative formalities to organize public meetings.
– difficulties for obtaining the authorization to organize a worship for the country.
– the closing of the medias not sharing the point of view of the HAT.
– the arbitrary arrest of the political Leaders of Ravalomanana Political Group on 11th November 2010 to have organized a demonstration authorized beforehand by the municipality at MALACAM stadium and the powerful repression of the demonstrators in full period of propaganda for the referendum of 17th November 2010.
– Terror and death threats against church leaders followed by members of the armed police force for three months following the worship of 20 May 2010 which obliges the members of their family to leave their homes.
Finally ALN condemns the lack of consideration of the political prisoners 2009-2010.
There is no consideration for the hunger strikers, even for those which are sick. Some prisoners which were released were quickly put in jail again, following invention of new accusations.
So, we challenge the International Community, the countries friends and partners of Madagascar and all the Liberals of the world to assume their responsibility so that the de facto power ceases this practice which is unworthy of the 21st Century, since Madagascar signed various International Conventions on the defense of Human rights and freedom.

The Africa Liberal Network (ALN) commends the Civic United Front (CUF) for its effective participation in the National Elections in Tanzania on 31 October 2010 despite the lack of a “level playing field” in terms of political competition.
The ALN congratulates the CUF Zanzibar Presidential candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad on accepting the results announced by the Zanzibar Electoral Commission for the sake of peace, political stability, and reconciliation in Zanzibar.
We further congratulate Seif Sharif Hamad on his appointment as First Vice-President of Zanzibar in accordance with the new constitution of Zanzibar.
However, the Africa Liberal Network is gravely concerned with the poor administration of the Presidential, parliamentary and civic elections in the United Republic of Tanzania, which was marked by low voter turn out: 42% in 2010 as compared to 72% in 2005.
The ALN therefore calls upon the authorities in Tanzania to establish a competent and independent National Electoral Commission as soon as possible in order to have democratic, free and fair elections.

Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance and Premier of Western Cape Province, held a joint press conference with the ALN President, Dr Lamine Ba, on 11 November to celebrate the opening of the network’s General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa. They were joined on the podium by former Vice-President of Burundi, Mme Alice Nzomukunda, and National Chairman of the Civic United Front, Professor Ibrahim Lipumba.
Ms Zille made the following statement:
“The Democratic Alliance would like to welcome the members of the Africa Liberal Network to South Africa and specifically to Cape Town, for the General Assembly which will take place here over the coming weekend. We have just hosted a successful FIFA World Cup, which has demonstrated what we as a province and country can be, if we work together and all give our best. Albeit a slightly smaller event, we are pleased to have been given the opportunity to host this General Assembly, which is also an historic event and a great show of unity.
“The Africa Liberal Network is made up of 24 parties from 19 African countries, and is an associated organisation of Liberal International. The ALN aims to promote liberal democratic objectives and principles throughout the African continent. The parties involved work together to ensure the freedom and dignity of all people through securing socio-economic and political rights, entrenching basic freedoms and the rule of law, promoting economic growth, ensuring free and fair elections, and fighting corruption.
“This General Assembly is an opportunity to discuss the state of democracy in Africa, to share democratic best practice, and to support one another in our respective political contexts. In that regard, I would like to thank our sister-parties from across the continent for their friendship, and for the enduring co-operation between our parties over the years.
“Today, our world and our peoples are more interconnected and indeed interdependent than ever before in history. People the world over, despite any differences, basically seek the same things – to realize a better future for them and their children, to live in security and dignity, and to seek progress and justice.
“We are also all too aware that this meeting is taking place while in much of Africa people do not enjoy even the basic democratic rights that we often take for granted. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sudan shows how despotism and violence still threaten the future of our continent. Many of our member parties are actively engaged in the hard work of pursuing peace, while others, like the DA, are working to give people and nations a path out of poverty.
“It is against that backdrop that I look forward to meaningful discussions with all of the ALN delegates this weekend, and once again, am delighted to welcome them to Cape Town.”

ALN President, Dr Lamine Bâ, has written an article for Prospect Magazine clarifying his work in Haiti in his capacity as Minister for Humanitarian Cooperation and International Affairs in the Senegalese Government:
Prospect – Haiti: Africa Calling
After January’s catastrophic earthquake it seems that there is still no end to the tragedy facing the people of Haiti. This month an outbreak of cholera has left hundreds dead and thousands more hospitalised—and yesterday violence broke out in reaction to the spread of the disease, with protestors claiming that Nepalese soldiers brought the epidemic to Haiti. In the face of such horror, it is hardly surprising that many Haitians are seeking to rebuild their lives in new countries.
Earlier this year, the President of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, unveiled an initiative to resettle hundreds of Haitians in his country. (This is in addition to over $1m in direct aid to Haiti from the government of Senegal). Why, ask some, when Senegal is itself far from the richest country in the world, should Africans pay to support others? The needs of Africa are plain for all to see. Yet the government in which I serve, a liberal government, is part of a growing political movement across Africa that rejects the notion that Africa must always take aid, and never provide it.
When our fellow citizens in other parts of the world are suffering—particularly those to whom we have a historic connection—we believe it is our duty to support them within the means and resources that are available to us. In fact, it is our liberal commitment to internationalism and humanitarianism that demand it.
Last week I addressed the Africa Liberal Network General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, the organisation that is helping to spearhead this growing political movement across Africa. The ALN is a collection of 30 Liberal parties from 25 African countries, united in their commitment to win power on liberal political platforms and, when in power, provide government based on enduring liberal principles such as the freedom and dignity of all people, the rule of law, free and fair elections with peaceful transition, fighting corruption, and establishing free market economies.
This movement is enjoying increasing electoral success. My own Democratic Party in Senegal first won power in 2000 after decades of socialist rule; and the Democratic Alliance in South Africa has moved from 1.7 per cent of the vote in 1994 to touching 20 per cent in last year’s general election, and now controls the government of Western Cape. Just this month in Cote d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, a former deputy general director of the IMF, powered into the run-off in the presidential election, trailing the incumbent president (who has failed to hold an election for many years) by only a few percentage points. Elsewhere, in Morocco, Zanzibar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, liberals form part of coalition governments.
Also this year, the ALN has been outspoken regarding the electoral malpractice and arrest and intimidation of opposition candidates in this years’ elections in Burundi. The network has worked hard to facilitate the increasing of representation of women in politics across Africa. Member parties have unanimously condemned the failure of the president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, to abide by the agreements outlined in his government of national unity, and against the wishes of his people.
In this context, it is easier to understand the government of Senegal’s actions for the citizens of Haiti. Just as other great liberal parties and governments across the world have been committed to supporting human rights and dignity—from successive liberal governments in Canada, to the Clinton administration in the US and President Clinton’s continuing humanitarian activities through his foundation on leaving office—it is the duty of liberals all over the world—including in Africa—to provide support and assistance to those in greatest need. It is in this spirit that the people of Haiti hear Africa calling them.
Dr Lamine Ba is the Minister for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs for the Government of Senegal. He is also President of the Africa Liberal Network