ALN Statements & Resolutions
Africa Liberal Network media statement by Medard Mulangala Africa Liberal Network Vice President (Central Africa)
ALN expresses concern over election and government crises in DRC and the Republic of Congo
12 October 2015
Release: immediate
The Africa Liberal Network (ALN), the largest political network on the continent consisting of 44 political parties in 30 states, expresses its concern over the current situation in both the DRC and the Republic of Congo. The ALN is in support of free and fair elections that follow democratic processes according to constitutionalism.
The ALN declared at its 2011 General Assembly (Kinshasa) to condemn and reject in principle any attempts by incumbent political leaders to modify a state’s Constitution in order to further their own interests and retain power beyond recognised term limits. The ALN believes such unconstitutional actions are against the will of the people and can do potential damage to economic and social development. As per our resolution taken at Ouagadougou (2014), the ALN is also committed to the peaceful, democratic transition of power and the limit of presidential terms to two.
Two ALN members, Mr Parfait Kolelas of MCDDI in the Republic of Congo and Mr. Olivier Kamitatu of ARC in the Democratic Republic of Congo, have been removed from their state’s respective governments for refusing to engage themselves and their political parties in these political manoeuvres.
The ALN condemns these practices which go against the republican and democratic values enshrined in its Constitution and which it believes Africa needs for peace, stability and the economic development of the continent.
In the DRC, we condemn the actions taken by President Joseph Kabila to remove the Alliance pour le Renouveau du Congo’s (ARC) Olivier Kamitatu from the government as Minister of Planning. We also condemn any tactics to delay elections in the DRC beyond what is constitutional.
The ALN strongly denounces all forms of intimidation and pressure by governing powers to undermine democracy, freedom and due process. We extend our support to Mr Olivier Kamitatu, President of the ALN, and salute his courage to continue to stand for liberal values and defence of constitutionalism.
In the Republic of Congo, the ALN expresses concern over the referendum which aims at modifying the constitution to allow for President Sassou Nguesso to remain in power. We condemn all steps to undermine the choice of individuals to elect their public representatives in free, fair and constitutional elections. We therefore extend our support to Dr Brice Parfait Kolelas of the MCDDI for his support of democratic values.
In both DRC and Congo Brazzaville, the ALN calls for peaceful, free and fair elections. We urge that all processes are held without harassment or intimidation of opposition, and that credibility and transparency be followed.
Note to editors: The Africa Liberal Network is made up of 44 political parties and organisations from 30 African countries, and is an associated organisation of Liberal International, the political family to which liberal democratic parties belong. It is the largest political network in Africa. The members of the network are bound by a policy stating that they exist to ensure the freedom and dignity of all people through establishing political and civil rights, ensuring basic freedoms, the rule of law, democratic government based on free and fair elections with peaceful transition, ensuring religious, gender, and minority rights, fighting corruption, and establishing free market economies. For more information visit: www.africaliberalnetwork.org.
Media enquiries: Medard Mulangala
Africa Liberal Network Vice President (Central Africa region)
+243849903224