ALN welcomes new members from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Southern Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Uganda
The Africa Liberal Network concluded a successful meeting of its General Assembly in Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday 13 November 2010. Re-elected as ALN President, Senegalese Minister of Humanitarian and International Affairs, Dr Lamine Bâ, explained that the organisation “will play a more decisive role in spreading liberal values and ideas, and will do all it can to bring liberal political parties to power in their respective countries”.
The ALN was formed in 2002 to promote liberal democratic ideals in politics and to build solidarity among parties adhering to liberal principles. It has since grown to 27 parties, and welcomed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, to the network at this meeting. Other parties joining the ALN for the first time at the General Assembly were the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP); the Forum for Democratic Devolution (FDD) from Malawi; People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) of Sierra Leone; and Liberal Democratic Transparency (LDT) of Uganda. South Sudan Liberal Party (SSLP), a new initiative launched by existing ALN members, Liberal Democratic Party of Sudan, was admitted as an observer pending the resolution of the referendum scheduled to decide the fate of that region in January 2011. Three existing member parties, PLD Angola, UDENA Equatorial Guinea, and UDP Tanzania were disaffiliated from the network for not having participated in recent events or contributed their membership fees.
The ALN meeting coincided with the Executive Committee meeting of Liberal International (LI), the worldwide association of liberal parties, which was held in the South African Parliament buildings in Cape Town. This enabled ALN delegates to interact with important politicians from across the globe such as LI President, Hans van Baalen MEP, and for LI to demonstrate its support for resolutions adopted by the General Assembly. Both events were kindly hosted by the Democratic Alliance, the main opposition party in South Africa, and ruling party in Western Cape Province. The leader of the Democratic Alliance, Helen Zille, welcomed the ALN to Cape Town, and hosted a reception for ALN delegates at her private residence, Leeuwenhof, following the conclusion of their meeting.
ALN delegates were also fortunate enough to meet with DA founding member, Colin Eglin; DA Parliamentary Caucus Leader, Athol Trollip MP; and DA spokesperson, Lindiwe Mazibuko MP.
MEC Robin Carlisle delivered the keynote address focusing on implementing liberal ideals in Government, in light of his experience as Minister for Transport and Public Works in Western Cape. The ALN would like to thank DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Kenneth Mubu MP; DA Shadow Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Stevens Mokgalapa MP, and DA International Officer, Tim Harris MP, for their valuable contribution to the programme and their participation in the events.
We would like to congratulate all members of the new ALN Executive Committee, but especially those serving for the firs time: Mme Alice Nzomukunda, Présidente of the Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau, former Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi; and Mr Clement Stambuli, Director of Campaigns of the United Democratic Front, and former Minister in Malawi.

Lidetu Ayalew, leader of the Ethiopian Democratic Party, was welcomed to London by a delegation led by Robert Woodthorpe Browne, Chairman of the Liberal Democrats International Relations Committee and Vice-President of Liberal International.
Meeting at the National Liberal Club, Ato Lidetu provided a brief summary of the political situation in Ethiopia following the elections earlier this year in which the ruling EPRDF (Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front) secured all but two of the seats in the parliament, wiping out independent opposition parties. The group discussed the findings of a recent Human Rights Watch report on how donor aid contributes to political repression in Ethiopia, an issue which the Liberal Democrats are keen to take up with the UK Government.
Finally, the participants debated ways for the Africa Liberal Network to support the EDP, perhaps through organising a regional meeting in Addis Ababa, and how the Liberal Democrats might be able to use their Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme to contribute to the development of the party.

ALN members the Civic United Front (CUF) have celebrated a resounding victory in the referendum held in Zanzibar on 31 July which marked a constitutional change guaranteeing the party a place in the Government.
CUF Secretary-General, Seif Sharrif Hamad, was understandably delighted at the results, which saw two-thirds of the semi-autonomous archipelago’s voters approve a coalition government being formed after the general elections on 31 October. As a result, CUF will be awarded a proportion of the Ministries in the Revolutionary Government based on the outcome of the polls. Should they come first, they will be awarded the positions of President and Second Vice-President of Zanzibar, or if they come second, they will be rewarded with the position of First Vice-President.
Violence has marred elections on the archipelago in the past, and the CUF-CCM agreement to share power on the islands has been welcomed by both the population and political commentators. It is hoped that the upcoming elections will be the first peaceful ones to take place on the islands of Unguja and Pemba since multi-party democracy was introduced in Tanzania in 1994. Despite the history of violence and intimidation, CUF has consistently held around half the seats in Zanzibar House of Representatives, and now has the opportunity to show what they can do in Government.
With the referendum now over, preparations for the general elections are well underway. The Liberal Democrats’ Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme will be working with CUF as they have in the past.

CALL OF HAMMAMET (TUNISIA) FOR THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AGAINST ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE
We, African Liberal Women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting in Hammamet, Tunisia from 30 July to 2 August 2010 as part of the second ALN Gender Workshop with support from the Liberal Democrats’ Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme, having examined the evolution of the situation of women around the world:
– Note with concern the persistence of violence against African and Arab women and the deteriorating conditions in parts of Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.
– Recalling the rights of women in the universal framework of human rights, and building on all instruments specific rights of women including CEDAW, Resolution 1325 Security Council United Nations, the African Charter Human Rights and Peoples’ rights of women, we regard the protection of moral and physical integrity of women in the world as an urgent necessity.
Further, We, African Women Liberal,
– Call upon the Heads of State, members of the Liberal International, the media, all organizations and people of good will:
– To mobilize a multifaceted campaign against violence suffered by women on the planet.
Ask eagerly, particularly the heads of state:
– To build specialized shelters to protect women whose lives are threatened both in times of conflicts in married life and social
– Promote women’s access to legal aid as social and psychological victims;
– Call feminist organizations worldwide to denounce the ideologies and traditions that generate harmful forms of segregation and violence against women.
– Call for an immediate end to the unspeakable tragedy suffered by women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and insist on the implementation of the resolution to that effect in December 2009 at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Africa Liberal Network Seychelles.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010
MOTION IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT WADE OF SENEGAL
Women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting from 30 July to 2 August 2010 for the second gender workshop would like to thank especially President Abdoulaye Wade for his work in favor of parity.
All processes know a historical inflection point. For women in Senegal, the vote of the full parity law on Male / Female in elected institutions, crowns decades of political activism, deprivation, and struggle.
This outstanding success, we, African women, owe to an intellectual superior, a politician with a clear vision and foresight, the standard bearer of liberalism in Africa, Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal.
Therefore, as gender focal points of member parties of the Africa Liberal Network:
– We support the President Abdoulaye Wade, in his desire to achieve greater equality of opportunity in the political field
– We wait for leaders of member parties of the Africa Liberal Network, to implement such parity, and make this a reality in our political parties, and we kindly call on President Wade to advocate on the gender issue. So that we, African women can overcome the challenges we face in the way of the development in our respective states.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010
MOTION OF THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO TUNISIA PSL
Women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting from 30 July to 2 August 2010 for the second gender workshop, thanked the PSL (Social Liberal Party) of Tunisia and its President, Mr. Mondher Thabet for hosting this workshop in Tunisian soil. They welcomed the organization of Tunisian women for their availability throughout their stay successful in Hammamet, historic and touristic town close to the heart of all Africans.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010
RESOLUTION ON PRESIDENTIAL AL’ELECTION IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting from 30 July to 2 August 2010 for the second gender workshop, noted with distaste that the date of the presidential election has been delayed 6 since 2005, plunging the population into distress;
Since these elections are, in the opinion of all observers, the condition that the country would emerge from the crisis persists insidiously with its attendant problems of all kinds of people in general and the vulnerable in particular,
Women of Africa Liberal Network member parties,
– Deplore the inability of some States to hold elections if there arrives the constitutional deadline;
– Affirm that the requirement for a transparent election, democratic and should not give rise to many hesitations and artificial obstacles if the electoral commission is truly independent;
– Wish, as ECOWAS, African Union, UN and all development partners that the elections in Côte d’Ivoire will be held before the end of 2010 so that this country acquires legitimate institutions which lead to the democracy, peace and sustainable development.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010
MOTION SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MRS ALICE NZOMUKUNDA
Women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting from 30 July to 2 August 2010 for the second gender workshop, informed of the harassment suffered by Ms Alice Nzomukunda in her fight for good governance and democracy, put to all their encouragement and support in its determination to promote moral values and establishing the rule of law in Burundi.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010
MOTION OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO HIS EXCELLENCE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TUNISIA, MR ZINE EL ABIDINE BEN ALI
The women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting for a workshop in from 30 July to 2 August 2010 in Hammamet, Tunisia at the kind l’invitation of the Parti Social Libéral of Tunisia for the networks’ second Gender Workshop, were impressed by the excellent progress made towards the socio-economic development of the country and particularly the position of Tunisian women in society, would like to thank His Excellence the President of the Republic of Tunisia.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010
MOTION OF THANKS TO MR NICK BRANSON
Women representing Africa Liberal Network member parties, meeting from 30 July to 2 August 2010 for the second gender workshop, thanked Mr Nick Branson, Executive Secretary of the RLA under the Liberal Democrats in Britain , for his availability, his hard work and high sense of human relations which are great qualities that enable it to ensure calmly and efficiently coordinating the activities of the RLA to the satisfaction of members.
Hammamet, 1 August 2010

Delegates from twenty different African liberal parties were represented at the ALN’s second Gender Workshop. This was kindly hosted the Parti Social Libéral in Hammamet, Tunisia from 30 July-2 August with financial support from the Liberal Democrats’ Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme. The participants presented their achievements, difficulties and lessons learnt since their last meeting in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and debated the best practice for gender mainstreaming on the African continent. On the final day, the participants developed their own action plans for the next twelve months with help from an expert trainer from the Liberal Democrats’ Campaign for Gender Balance.
ALN President and LI Vice-President, Dr Lamine Bâ, congratulated the delegates on their hard work saying that they had taken “important steps towards increasing the participation of women in African politics”. His party’s delegate, Mme Aminata Lo, Minister for Institutions, offered the support of the Parti Démocratique Sénégalais in hosting the follow-up meeting in Dakar, Senegal next year.
The delegates also adopted urgent political resolutions calling for an end to violence against women, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and for the immediate holding of elections in Cote d’Ivoire. Both issues had been deliberated at the ALN General Assembly meeting in the Seychelles, and sadly there has been no visible improvement in either case.
The participants issued a vote of thanks to the hosts, the Parti Social Libéral, particularly Secretary-General Mr Mondher Thabet and the Organisation of Liberal Women of Tunisia. The delegates awarded the inaugural Prize of African Liberal Women to Senegalese President, Maitre Abdoulaye Wade for his progressive reforms in favour of female participation in politics, and they called on others to follow his lead.
Finally, the delegates pledged their continued support for Mme Alice Nzomukunda, President of Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau, who had been arrested during the recent elections in Burundi, and continues to act as an example for aspiring female politicians.

From Monday 26 to Thursday 29 July, delegates from twelve ALN members met in Accra, Ghana for training organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. Three further African liberal democratic parties also participated: the Movement for Democratic Change (Zimbabwe); the Orange Democratic Movement (Kenya); and the New Patriotic Party (Ghana). All three have been invited to participate in the ALN General Assembly and Liberal International Executive meeting in Cape Town this November.
NPP National Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, opened the meeting with Liberal International Secretary-General, Emil Kirjas. The participants focused on better acquainting themselves with the political situations in each other’s counties and the different donors working with liberal democratic parties in Africa. They learnt how best to drive issues and utilise regional networks, particularly in relation to tabling parliamentary questions. Finally, the delegates focused on the question of the youth in Africa, with contributions from Bart Woord, President of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), and Sidi Touré, former President of the Organisation of African Liberal Youth (OALY).
The meeting closed with ‘Liberal Thursday’ an initiative run by the FNF office in Accra to bring together progressive Ghanaians from all walks of life. A lively debate was held, with Clement Stambuli, Director of Campaigns at the United Democratic Front (Malawi) representing the Africa Liberal Network in the absence of ALN President, Dr Lamine Bâ. Mr Stambuli spoke of the difficult situation which homosexuals had to endure in his country, and called for African liberals to put an end to this persecution, instead uniting to protect freedom of expression. He was joined on the podium by Hon. Joe Ghartey MP (Chairman of NPP Constitutional, Governance and Legal Affairs Committee), Ms Uta Staschewski (FNF Programme Officer), Ms. Naomi Ichihara Røkkum (IFLRY Vice-President), and Mr Emil Kirjas.

Resolution on the Political Situation in Burund proposed by Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, President of the Africa Liberal Network; Minister for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs in the Senegalese Government and adopted by the 184th Liberal International Executive Committee meeting in Berlin, Germany on 11-13 June 2010.
The 184th Liberal International Executive Committee:
Regret the atmosphere of intimidation, which marked the municipal elections in Burundi on Monday 24 May;
Recall the allegations of electoral fraud against the Burundian Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendente);
Reiterate the importance of independent democratic institutions and political and civil rights, cornerstones of a liberal democratic society;
Support the calls from thirteen opposition parties for the municipal elections to be held afresh;
Deplore the decision of the Burundian Minister for the Interior to ban opposition parties from organising meetings during the Presidential election campaign;
Alarmed by the arrest of Mme Alice Nzomukunda, President of the Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau-Urunani Rw’Imvugakuri (ADR); former Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi and Vice-President of its National Assembly;
Resolved that Liberal International:
Condemns the interference of the Burundian Government in the election campaign;
Calls for the Minister for the Interior to repeal the prohibition on opposition campaigning;
Expresses solidarity with the detained political prisoners in Burundi;
Calls for the immediate release of all opposition leaders;
Requests that the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, urgently address this issue with the Burundian Government;
Resolves all member parties and organisations to make representations to the Burundian Government in support of free and fair elections ahead of upcoming polls.

Resolution proposed by the Africa Liberal Network on the Political Situation in Burundi
Proposed by Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, President of the Africa Liberal Network; Minister for International Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs in the Senegalese Government and adopted by the 184th Liberal International Executive Committee meeting in Berlin, Germany on 11-13 June 2010.
The 184th Liberal International Executive Committee:
Regret the atmosphere of intimidation, which marked the municipal elections in Burundi on Monday 24 May;
Recall the allegations of electoral fraud against the Burundian Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI: Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendente);
Reiterate the importance of independent democratic institutions and political and civil rights, cornerstones of a liberal democratic society;
Support the calls from thirteen opposition parties for the municipal elections to be held afresh;
Deplore the decision of the Burundian Minister for the Interior to ban opposition parties from organising meetings during the Presidential election campaign;
Alarmed by the arrest of Mme Alice Nzomukunda, President of the Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau-Urunani Rw’Imvugakuri (ADR); former Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi and Vice-President of its National Assembly;
Resolved that Liberal International:
Condemns the interference of the Burundian Government in the election campaign;
Calls for the Minister for the Interior to repeal the prohibition on opposition campaigning;
Expresses solidarity with the detained political prisoners in Burundi;
Calls for the immediate release of all opposition leaders;
Requests that the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, urgently address this issue with the Burundian Government;
Resolves all member parties and organisations to make representations to the Burundian Government in support of free and fair elections ahead of upcoming polls.

On the day of the Presidential elections in Burundi, Alice Nzomukunda, leader of ALN member Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau, had her opinions published in the Huffington Post, a progressive online newspaper. To read her op-ed, please click here.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alice-nzomukunda/africas-other-contest_b_628217.html