Sub-Saharan Africa
We are the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Africa), an independent German organisation that is committed to promoting liberal policy and politics around the world in the form of human rights, the rule of law, democracy, innovation, digitalisation and free trade.
We have been active in Sub-Saharan Africa since 1964. We organise campaigns, media events, seminars, workshops, study tours, cultural happenings and training courses. We have activities in many countries in the region such as Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
News
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The story of Jacob Zuma and Al Capone
On Tuesday, South Africa’s apex court found former President Jacob Zuma to be in contempt of court and sentenced him to a term of 15 months imprisonment. The Constitutional Court’s decision is a resounding affirmation of the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law. The court’s message is crystal clear: all are equal before the law and subject to its sanctions, even a former president.
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Initiating, Planning and Managing Coalitions
FNF is privileged to have representations by the esteemed panellists and contributors to discuss and unpack similarities, challenges and best practices against the experiences shared in the new ALN Handbook. ALN’s strategic partners, Democrats 66 (D66) and People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), reflect on the collaboration of documented testimonies and experiences of ALN member parties in their journeys of learning and working through varying examples.
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Africa: trade, democracy or both?
The 20th OECD international economic forum on Africa, which takes place today, is a propitious occasion to assess Africa’s current position, politically, economically and - of course - in terms of COVID-19. Cecilia Kok analyzes the main topics that will be key for this years conference. The pandemic, the Chinese influence over Africa and the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade area will dominate the forum this year.
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East Africa needs a liberal restart to protect and promote civil liberties
The past year has been hard for East Africans. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the health and economies of our nations. As the threat of further waves persist and international travel, tourism and business remains largely on hold, things will continue to be difficult. We face a long road ahead in navigating a path to economic recovery and a challenging vaccine roll-out.
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Uganda’s election violence cycle worsens as Bobi Wine’s Opposition puts Museveni on his toes
Thursday, January 14, Ugandans will elect a “new president” and members of parliament.
It will be a contest of numbers, even before the first ballot is cast in a bid to determine who between National Unity Platform candidate Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi and incumbent Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of National Resistance Movement (NRM) will lead Uganda. -
Property Rights Indispensable to Brighter Future for Women in Africa
Women in Africa remain excluded from the benefits of property ownership, and this must receive the attention of African policy makers and society at large. This is the message from a new study by the Institute of Race Relations entitled Property Rights Belong to All: Women and Property Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. The institute is releasing it to coincide with the beginning of 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children.
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The Impact of Covid-19 on the African Economy
The impact of Covid-19 on whole of the global economy is no longer in doubt. As the Covid-19 epidemic progresses, the outlook for economic growth is lowered. Indeed, the spread of Covid-19 has forced states to take measures that have an impact on the economy, namely the closing of borders, the closing of shops, total or partial lockdowns, etc. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), we are heading towards a drop in global...
Social Media
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Is the future of government in coalition? The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Sub-Saharan Africa interrogates coalitions for liberals in African political parties reflecting on the recently launched Africa Liberal Network (ALN) Coalition Handbook. The main reason for these discussions is to answer these critical question: Can a liberal legacy be built and sustained through working in coalition arrangements and do coalitions dilute on liberal values? The discussions are moderated by Hon. Ms Refiloe Nt’sekhe of the Democratic Alliance in South Africa, she is joined by Senator Radu Mihail (Romania), Mr Putra Nababan (Indonesia), Mr Vinay Mishra (India) and Mr Raimar Wagner from FNF in Romania. It also includes featured appearances by Mr Manfred Richter who is the FNF Treasurer and Member of the Board, Hon. Ms Rym Mahjoub (Tunisia), Felipe Kast Sommerhoff (Chile), ALN strategic partners Martijn Bolkestein and Marjolein de Jong of the VVD and D66 (Netherlands) respectively.
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Jotter is an upcoming App service for learners without internet connection in Zimbabwe that can help breakdown barriers to the basic human right that is access to education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, distance learning was introduced to help reduce the spread of the virus. This initiative is submitted by Bongani Dube after FNF Africa's invitation to innovators, creatives and entrepreneurs following World Creativity and Innovation Day 2021 calling for discussions on new ideas based on the experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic that are primarily linked to education. We ask, what can we learn from the pandemic, let's talk new ideas! #Restart21
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Eswatini, das zwischen Südafrika und Mosambik liegt, und früher als Swasiland bekannt war, kommt seit dem Tod eines Jurastudenten im Mai nicht zur Ruhe. Die Polizei gibt an, dass der Mann bei einem Autounfall ums Leben gekommen sei. Studierende machen jedoch die Polizei für seinen Tod verantwortlich. Als sich der Protest der Bevölkerung auf die Straße verlagert, verhängt der vom König eingesetzte Premierminister Themba Masuku kurzerhand ein Demonstrationsverbot, welches mit der Verbreitung des Corona-Virus begründet wird. Das wütende Volk plündert daraufhin zahlreiche mit dem Königshaus in Verbindung gebrachte Geschäfte und zündet sie an. Binnen kurzer Zeit folgen auf die zum Teil sogar tödlichen Proteste gegen Polizeigewalt Forderungen nach umfassenden politischen Reformen. Die Vereinten Nationen zeigen sich angesichts der Lage in dem Land mit seinen rund 1,2 Millionen Einwohnern besorgt und fordern eine unabhängige Untersuchung der Ereignisse. In Afrikas letztem absolutistischen Königreich gab es in den vergangenen zwanzig Jahren immer wieder Proteste gegen die Herrschaft und den Lebensstil des 53-jährigen Monarchen Mswati III. Doch so wütend und gewalttätig wie in den vergangenen Wochen waren die Proteste noch nie. Zwar hoffen die Demonstrierenden auf Reformen, doch eine organisierte Opposition gibt es nicht. Politische Parteien sind in Eswatini seit 1973 verboten. Einzelne Volksvertreter und Volksvertreterinnen werden höchstens auf lokaler Ebene gewählt. Bei unserem Webtalk werden wir thematisieren, welche Perspektive die Menschen in Eswatini und in besonderem die jüngeren Bürgerinnen und Bürger mit Blick auf Demokratie und Freiheit haben. Hoffnungen auf umfassende demokratische Reformen sind laut dem »Guardian« gering. Mit unseren Gästen möchten wir versuchen einzuschätzen, welche Entwicklung die politische Situation in der Monarchie nehmen wird.
