Welcome to the African Democracy Forum!
The ADF is an African regional network of democracy, human rights, and governance organizations. We seek to consolidate democracy in Africa by providing opportunities for democrats to openly express their views and acting as a platform for mutual support and the sharing of resources.
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African Democracy Forum
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DECLARATION BY CIVIL SOCIETY PROMOTING THE RATIFICATION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE |
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Over 30 civil society groups working on democracy and governance in Africa came together in Pretoria, South Africa, on 22-23 February 2010, to discuss strategies for the popularization, ratification, and implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which was adopted by the African Union in January 2007. These groups discussed the significance of the Charter particulary now that the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government has been witnessed in Africa in recent years. The meeting also focused on civil society strategies for popularize the Charter among various stakeholders and identify targets for the ratification process. In addition to Ethiopia and Mauritania, two countries - Sierra Leone and Bukina Faso - recently ratified the Charter. During the meeting, it was announced by South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Sue van der Merwe, that South African President Jacob Zuma recently signed the Charter and asked the Parliament to ratify. In order for the Charter to come to effect, at least 15 countries need to ratify. TheThe meeting was organized by IDASA and the African Democracy Forum (ADF). Please see the Declaration issued by the meeting participants. Also, read the speech delivered by South Africa Deputy Minister Ms. Sue van der Merwe. |
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Les composantes du système démocratique au Congo Brazzaville, deux décennies après |
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For over 20 years, the Republic of Congo’s multiparty system has been unable to effectively promote and establish democracy in the nation. Politically, economically, and socially, the Congo suffers from the lack of an independent electoral commission, dire economic conditions, and the government’s inability to respond to the population’s exclamations for change. Lack of experience, lack of formation, and government manipulation impede organizations to play a constructive role in building democracy in the Congo. Civil society, in its early stages of growth, is kept down by the government and cannot gain strength to develop a platform to promote democratic change. Similarly, the press continues to be ruled by political corruption making it impossible to distinguish independent from government press. As for political parties and associations, most work as opportunistic, power-seeking structures that cannot establish solid formations to assume their roles in the promotion of democracy. Read the Report Depuis plus de 20 ans, le système multipartite de la République du Congo n’a pas été capable de promouvoir efficacement la démocratie dans la nation. Politiquement, économiquement, et socialement, le Congo souffre du manque d'une commission électorale indépendante, de grande pauvreté, et de l'incapacité du gouvernement à répondre aux exclamations de la population en proie à la misère. Le manque d'expérience, le manque de formation, et la manipulation de gouvernement empêchent les organisations de jouer un rôle constructif afin de promouvoir la démocratie au Congo. La société civile, dans les premières phases de sa croissance, est étouffée par le gouvernement et ne peut pas développer une plateforme pour favoriser une transition démocratique. Les medias sont sous l’emprise de la corruption gouvernementale rendant impossible la différenciation de la presse indépendante de celle du gouvernement. Quant aux parties et associations politiques, la plupart fonctionnent en tant que structures opportunistes en quête de pouvoir qui ne peuvent pas établir des formations solides pour assumer leurs rôles dans la promotion de la démocratie. Lirez le rapport |
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Situation of HRDs in Tanzania |
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The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) and Protection Desk Uganda(PDU) carried out a short exploratory mission to Dar Es Salaam from 25th- 28th November 2009 to briefly assess the current situation of human rights defenders in Tanzania. The mission proved very fruitful helping to offer an overview of the situation of human rights defenders (HRDs) in Tanzania and identify a series of gaps in the current protection mechanisms available to Tanzania HRDs as well as possible strategies to build-on and strengthen what is available. (Read more) |
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ADF CHAIR'S MESSAGE Dear ADF Members, Compliments of the Season to you, your families and colleagues! I trust this short message to briefly review 2009 and set the stage for 2010 will find you well. It is with much regret that during 2009, many of our friends and colleagues who stood up for democracy and human rights, risked their lives, and in some cases lost their lives, for our struggle to build democracy in Africa. While we witnessed significant progress in consolidating democratic gains that we have achieved in the continent, we must admin that we are still confronted by numerous challenges. Countries, such as Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Niger, Somalia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, present serious obstacles in defending human rights, building democratic institutions, cultivating democratic culture, and bringing prosperity to our communities. To overcome these challenges, the ADF is as committed as ever to the building of stronger solidarity to support each other’s effort, helping facilitate collaborative activities among its members, and developing strategic partnership with various regional institutions. Consequently, ADF has, among others, been exploring the possibilities of institutionalise a working relationship with the Pan African Parliament. To read the full text of the message, click here. LE MESSGAGE DU PRESIDENT DE L'ADF Chers membres de l’ADF, Meilleurs vœux pour cette nouvelle année, ainsi qu’à vos familles et vos collègues! J’espère que ce message, qui va brièvement passer en revue l’année 2009 et mettre en scène la nouvelle année 2010, vous trouve bien. C’est avec beaucoup de regret qu’au cours de l’année 2009, plusieurs de nos amis et collègues qui se sont levés pour défendre la démocratie et les droits de l’homme ont risqué, et dans certain cas perdu, leurs vies dans notre lutte d’établir la démocratie en Afrique. Alors que nous étions témoins de grands progrès au niveau de la consolidation des victoires démocratiques que nous avons obtenu sur le continent, nous devons admettre que nous sommes encore confrontés à de nombreux défis. Des pays tels que l’Angola, la République Démocratique du Congo, la Gambie, la Guinée Conakry, le Niger, la Somalie, l’Uganda et le Zimbabwe présentent de sérieux obstacles dans la défense des droits de l’homme, la construction d’institutions démocratiques, le développement de la culture démocratique, et l’apport de la prospérité à nos communautés. Afin de surmonter ces obstacles, ADF est extrêmement engagé à la construction d’une solidarité plus forte afin de soutenir les efforts de chacun, voulant faciliter la collaboration d’activités entre ses membres et développer une association stratégique avec plusieurs institutions régionales. En conséquence, ADF a, entre autre, exploré les possibilités d’institutionnaliser une coopération avec le Parlement Panafricain. Lire le texte complet du message, cliquez ici. |
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13 October 2009 The African Democracy Forum (ADF) condemns the recent violent repression witnessed on 28 September 2009, and expresses its condolences to families and friends of the victims. The ADF demands that a talk between the government and opposition actors, facilitated by President Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso, comply with the ECOWAS’ Principles on Democratic Governance. It also urges that the proposed investigation be independent and transparent. The ADF is committed to monitoring the talk and investigation progress. Finally, the ADF calls for the Guinean military junta and the international community to ensure an enabling environment for free and fair elections in January 2010. (Read the full statement) Le Forum africain pour la démocratie (ADF) est profondément préoccupé par la répression violente des dernières assisté le 28 septembre 2009, et exprime ses condoléances aux familles et aux amis des victimes. L'ADF demande qu'un entretien entre le gouvernement et les acteurs de l'opposition, facilité par le Président Blaise Compaoré du Burkina Faso, se conformer aux principes de la CEDEAO sur la gouvernance démocratique. Il recommande aussi que l'enquête proposée soit indépendante et transparente. L'ADF est commis a surveiller le progrès d’entretien et de recherch. Enfin, l'ADF demande que la junte militaire guinéennes et la communauté internationale pour assurer un environnement permettant pour des élections libres et justes en janvier 2010. (Lisez la déclaration) |
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