The Africa Liberal Network held a very successful General Assembly meeting in Victoria, Seychelles from 4-5 December. The meeting was hosted by the Seychelles National Party with financial support from the Liberal Democrats via their Westminster Foundation for Democracy Programme.
Father Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Seychelles National Party, delivered the opening address, and was subsequently interviewed by the press alongside the ALN President, Dr Lamine Bâ. The leader of the Liberal Democrats, Rt. Hon. Nick Clegg MP, also addressed the delegates by means of video message. The keynote address was delivered by Judge Akua Kuenyehia, former Vice-President of the International Criminal Court.
The delegates welcomed seven new parties to the network, bringing the membership to twenty-four. The new member parties are as follows:
– Burundi – ADR: Alliance Démocratique pour le Renouveau
– Democratic Republic of Congo – ARC: Alliance pour le Renouveau du Congo
– Democratic Republic of Congo – UREC: Union Pour la Reconstruction du Congo
– Guinea – PUL: Parti de l’Unité et de la Liberté
– Mali – PCR: Parti Citoyen pour le Renouveau
– Senegal – PLC/DJ: Parti pour la Liberté et la Citoyenneté / Défar Jikoyi
– Sudan – UDLP: United Democratic Liberal Party
The General Assembly also planned the network’s strategy for 2010 and approved the gender policy document developed by representatives of ALN member parties in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire earlier this year.
The delegates adopted a number of resolutions on the following topics:
– The Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change
– The Ratification of the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court
– The need for Good Governance in Africa
– The 28 October 2009 elections in Mozambique
– The delayed elections in Côte d’Ivoire
– The political situation in the Republic of Guinea (Conakry)
– The recent resolution of the political impasse in Zanzibar
– The need for serious and credible political reforms in Tanzania ahead of the 2010 elections
– Gender based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo
– A vote of thanks to Seychelles National Party for organising the meeting and to the the Liberal Democrats’ Westminster Foundation for Democracy Programme for their continued financial support.

The Africa Liberal Network (ALN) study tour titled “Good Governance and the Role of Political Parties”, commenced in Mainz, Germany on 12 September 2009. African liberal party representatives from Morocco, Senegal, Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Seychelles, and Madagascar are attending the tour.
The group is being led by Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, President of ALN and Vice-President of the Liberal International Bureau. The study tour is a joint initiative by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and the Liberal Democrats whose Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme host the ALN.
In Germany, the delegates were received by the FNF at the International Academy for Leadership Training. The group is scheduled to meet with Dr Wolfgang Gerhardt, Liberal International Vice-President, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of FNF, in his hometown, Wiesbaden. The group will also get the opportunity to interact and observe the election campaign of the Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP), and get the opportunity to attend an election rally where the FDP leader, Mr Guido Westerwelle will be delivering a speech. The elections in Germany are set to take place on 27 September 2009.
The ALN group will then proceed to Bournemouth where they will attend the Liberal Democrats party conference from 19-23 September 2009. The group will learn more about the multiparty system of the United Kingdom and the dynamics of how a party policy is decided.

Fifteen gender representatives from twelve ALN member parties have met in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to develop a common gender policy paper for the network. This workshop was hosted by the Rassemblement des Républicains, with financial support from the Liberal Democrats Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme. Delegates met at the Hotel Ivotel, Abidjan, between Friday 3 July and Sunday 5 July 2009.
On Saturday 4 July, the ALN held a press conference, which wasbroadcast on Ivorian radio and television. On the panel were Mme KabaYaya Fofana, Vice-President for West Africa, and Executive Committeemember responsible for Gender Issues; ALN President, Dr Lamine Bâ; ALNCoordinator, Nick Branson; and two representatives from theRassemblement des Républicains. The first was Dr Cissé Bacongo,Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, and NationalSecretary for Institutional and Legal Matters at the RDR. The secondwas Sidi Touré, Chief of Staff to President Dr Alassane DramaneOuttara, and President of the Organisation of African Liberal Youth.
TheALN President and Coordinator were also fortunate enough to be receivedby RDR President Dr Alassane Dramane Outtara at his home in Abidjanwhere they discussed the progress of his Presidential campaign. Additionally, delegates wereinvited to visit the RDR’s campaign and communications headquarters inAbidjan, where Dr Lamine Bâ was interviewed for radio.
Thegender document itself was generated with the assistance of aconsultant from the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire, MrSiagbé Trah, who facilitated the workshop sessions, with translationprovided by Ms Aïsitou Diallo. The full document incorporatedsuggestions from all ALN member parties and is available below.
The delegates also nominated aGender Focal Point for each region of Africa to lead with theimplementation of the gender policy, they are as follows:
Northern Africa: Raoudha Seybi, Parti Social Libéral, Tunisia
Western Africa: Kaba Yaya Fofana, Rassemblement des Républicains, Côte d’Ivoire
Southern Africa & Islands: Lindiwe Desiré Mazibuko, Democratic Alliance, South Africa
Central and Eastern Africa: Ashura Mustapha, Civic United Front, Tanzania

The Fifteen Gender Focal Points Assembled in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, approved several substantive motions following the completion of the ALN gender policy document. These were as follows:
· Word of thanks
· Resolution on the Political Situation in Niger
· Resolution on the Elections in Côte d’Ivoire
· Resolution on the Political Crisis in Madagascar
· Resolution on Violence towards Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The delegates also discussed a motion submitted by the Tunisian delegation, but did not adopt it.
Please click on the link below for further details.

The Fifteen Gender Focal Points Assembled in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, approved several substantive motions following the completion of the ALN gender policy document. These were as follows:
· Word of thanks
· Resolution on the Political Situation in Niger
· Resolution on the Elections in Côte d’Ivoire
· Resolution on the Political Crisis in Madagascar
· Resolution on Violence towards Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The delegates also discussed a motion submitted by the Tunisian delegation, but did not adopt it.
Please click on the link below for further details.

ALN President, Dr Mamadou Lamine Bâ, was recently invited by the National Democratic Institute to participate in a programme aimed at developing the ideological background of eight political parties in Port-au-Prince, Haïti.
Dr Lamine Bâ delivered a speech focusing on the core principles of liberalism, denouncing the negative perspectives of the ideology: “Liberalism is freedom with responsibility; liberalism is humanism. Liberalism is not responsible for the financial crisis. Since its foundation, liberalism as an ideology is against colonization, slavery and selfishnesses. Liberals encourage private initiative and individual freedoms. Interventionism, in the event of need, is not antiliberal’.
Dr Lamine Bâ also met with leaders of different political parties, with the former Prime Ministers Yvon Neptune and Jacques Edouard Alexis, and participated in a face-to-face TV debate with Antonio Gambini, a representative of Socialist International.

Liberal International President Lord Alderdice strongly condemned the arrest yesterday of Rakotonirina Manandafy, LI Vice President and leader of LI Full Member Party 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.
At the Bureau Meeting of Liberal International in Vancouver, Canada on Friday, Lord Alderdice said: ‘Liberals from around the world were shocked and appalled by the violent arrest of Mr. Manandafy. We urge that he and other opposition leaders in Madagascar be immediately released without preconditions.
The recent resurgence of violence, disrespect for human rights and atmosphere of intimidation in Madagascar are very worrying. The events show that more than ever there is a need for dialogue and respect for key liberal values such as the basic freedoms of speech and assembly. The use of violence and bloodshed in resolving political disagreements will only further complicate reaching a peaceful solution.
The political movements of Madagascar must now return to engage in dialogue and resume negotiations to reach a compromise to return stability, democracy and the rule of law back to the country. The first International Contact Group meeting in Addis Ababa under joint African Union and United Nations auspices provides the best starting point to reach an acceptable compromise for all parties involved.’

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.
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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

Election outcomes often seem obvious and inevitable in retrospect. It needs to be remembered, however, that in this election the DA had to contend with the emergence of a significant new opposition party in Cope, and simultaneously had to compete for votes with almost every other opposition party and mount a nationwide challenge to the ANC. It was therefore never inevitable that the DA would experience the kind of growth that we have.
Our success in this election is a consequence of many factors, including Helen Zille’s inspired leadership, the repositioning of the party as a truly South African entity with the ability to win power off the ANC, and the efficiency with which our structures implemented the campaign.
Having said that, it remains the case that our greatest challenge going forward is to win more support from black South Africans. We will continue to work towards this objective with renewed determination. It is also the case that the DA has for many years now promoted the idea of a realignment of South African politics. We remain committed to this project but will insist that any realignment is based on an authentically shared commitment to the values of the open, opportunity society for all, because that vision is the only sustainable alternative to the ANC’s national democratic revolution.
We believe that we have done as well as we possibly could have in the context of this election and are therefore most pleased with the outcome. This result lays the groundwork for the future. In 2011 we hope to win cities and municipalities across the country, and this will form the basis of a sustained challenge on the national level in 2014. We would like to thank the nearly 3 million South Africans who voted for our vision of an open, opportunity society for all. We are grateful for their support and will pursue the mandate they have given us with vigour.
Excerpt from An Analysis of the DA’s performance:
The National Ballot:
DA Growth:
•    The DA grew by 34.7% (1 014 628 votes; 4.29 percentage points and 17 seats – to 67).
•    This is the third election in a row the DA has grown. It is the only party to have done this.
•    The DA is more than double the size of the next biggest opposition party (9.24 percentage points and 1.6 million votes bigger).
•    The DA’s growth, of over 1 million votes, is bigger than that of any other party.
Comparison:
The DA was the only party to grow in the National Assembly (leaving aside COPE and the APC, which both started from a 0% base). Every other party represented lost support:
•    ACDP: down by 0.79 percentage points (from 1.60 to 0.81)
•    ANC: down by 3.78 (from 69.68 to 65.90)
•    AZAPO: down by 0.05 (from 0.27 to 0.22)
•    ID: down by 0.81 (from 1.73 to 0.92)
•    IFP: down by 2.42 (from 6.97 to 4.55)
•    MF: down by 0.10 (from 0.35 to 0.25)
•    PAC: down by 0.46 (from 0.73 to 0.27)
•    UCDP: down by 0.38 (from 0.75 to 0.38)
•    UDM: down by 1.43 (from 2.28 to 0.85)
•    FF+: down by 0.06 (from 0.89 to 0.83)
10 Year Comparison:
(In 2000 the Democratic Party merged with the New National Party and the Federal Alliance to form the Democratic Alliance. In 2003 a small faction of NNP members crossed the floor back into the NNP, and later merged that party with the ANC.)
•    Since 1999 the DP/DA has grown by 1 418 492 votes and 7.1 percentage points, more than any other party.
•    In 2004 the DA grew by 403 864 votes (26.4%) and, in 2009, by 1 014 628 votes (34.7%).
The Provincial Ballot:
DA growth:
•    The DA grew in eight out of nine provinces, increasing the total number of DA seats in provincial legislatures from 51 in 2004, to 65 in 2009. It is represented by at least two members in every legislature:
•    Eastern Cape: Grew by 37.6% or 61 525 votes, to 10.0%
•    Free State: Grew by 39.8% or 34 130 votes, to 11.6%
•    Gauteng: Grew by 28.3% or 200 535 votes, to 21.9%
•    KwaZulu-Natal: Grew by 39.3% or 89 702 votes, to 9.1%
•    Mpumalanga: Grew by 26.0% or 20 085 votes, to 7.5%
•    North West: Grew by 36.7% or 23 803 votes, to 8.2%
•    Northern Cape: Grew by 44.0% or 15 520 votes, to 12.6%
•    Western Cape: Grew by 138.3% or 587 736 votes, 51.5%
The Western Cape:
•    The DA won an outright majority (51.5%) on the Western Cape provincial ballot and a majority in the legislature (22 out of the 42 seats).
•    Its growth in this province has been significant, not just in the 2009 election but in the 2004 election that preceded it.
•    In 2004 the DA grew by 124% or 235 649 votes to 27.1%, in 2009 it exceeded even that, growing by 138% or 587 736 votes and capturing in excess of 1 million votes in the province.
10 Year Comparison:
In the past three elections, the number of seats the DP/DA has won in provincial legislatures has systematically increased, from 35 in 1999, to 51 in 2004, to 65 in 2009.