Resolution on the 10th anniversary of the ALN

This year the African Liberal Network celebrates a decade of its existence.
Gathering in Johannesburg ten years ago, African political leaders decided to establish the ALN in order to bring hope and a new political strategy based on delivery rather than on dreams and empty promises to their fellow citizens.
Inspired by core liberal values and principles such as freedom, tolerance, rule of law, justice, social justice, free market economy and private ownership, the founding members of ALN changed the political landscape in Africa.
Starting with 12 member parties in 2003, the ALN grew to 34 member parties in 10 years and is now the leading network of like-minded political parties in Africa.
The road from Johannesburg to Zanzibar has not been an easy task. With the support of our partners, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and Liberal Democrats, we have made significant progress.
During the last 10 years some African liberal parties went into power at national, provincial and local level. Meanwhile a number of other parties continue to work to take power.
This progress has been surrounded by challenges and setbacks.
It has been reported that in certain countries, opposition political party members are arrested, beaten, tortured and subject to political persecution and exclusion.
Rigging, fraud and other irregularities in the electoral process have prevented ALN members from competing in a political atmosphere in which freeness, fairness and equity are ensured.
Bearing in mind the progress achieved in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and in the Western Cape in South Africa;
Noting the efforts being carried out in Kenya, Burkina Faso, Tanzania (Zanzibar);
Taking into account the challenges in many countries, with emphasis on Senegal, Burundi and the Republic of Sudan;
The ALN General Assembly gathered in Zanzibar decides:
1)    To award the President of Cote d’Ivoire Allassane Dramane Ouattara and the Premier of the Western Cape, South Africa, Ms Helen Zille, the title of ALN Patrons;
2)    To acknowledge the role played by the 1st ALN patron, Maître Abdulaye Wade;
3)    To offer assistance to the member parties with training on electoral matters such as election campaigning techniques, election observation and strategies to curb fraud and rigging;
4)    To monitor and record all the cases of politically motivated human rights violations, and report to those competent bodies under the Principle of the Responsibility to Protect;
5)    To continue increasing the ALN membership;
6)    To facilitate the unifying process and alliances of Liberal parties within the same countries;
7)    To proceed with changes to the ALN Constitution;
8)    To disseminate information to the member parties;
9)    To fight against impunity and all abuses of human rights;
10)    To oppose unlawful changes to countries constitutions to extend political mandates;
11)    To fight against the establishment of a special tribunal for motivated purposes;
12)    To encourage full cooperation with ICC;
13)    To promote free trade that creates jobs, consolidates peace, and encourages an inclusive economy;
14)    To facilitate assistance with the implementation of programmes and projects for associate organizations of the ALN;
15)    Consolidate human rights, particularly for minorities.
The ALN has a vision of a prosperous and integrated Africa of flourishing democracies that are at peace with one another, in which every person has the right and opportunity to fulfil their potential and be what they want to be.