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 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, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Senegal, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. We have offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Harare, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Abidjan and Dakar.
News
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It is Official, Hakainde Hichilema is President of the Republic of Zambia
It was a colourful gathering at Lusaka's National Heroes Stadium. Zambian people gathered along with many international dignitaries for a celebratory yet "modest" Presidential inauguration of the 7th President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema. In an inaugural speech which mapped the leader’s vision and plans to move Zambia forward, a promise to put human rights, rule of law, press freedom and economic growth at the centre of their administrations goals was made.
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Uganda After the January 14 Presidential Elections with Opposition Leader Bobi Wine
Bobi Wine is in South Africa at the invitation of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. Members of the media were invited to a press briefing and Q & A session with Bobi Wine to reflect on Uganda's January 2021 election, and the current state of human rights in country. SABC Foreign Editor Sophie Mokoena in conversation with Bobi Wine at FNF in Johannesburg.
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Human Rights Defenders – Fighting for Freedom and Democracy
The large-scale, pro-democracy protest movements of recent years have demonstrated: Individuals take extremely high risks when they campaign for civil and human rights and for free and fair elections in states where human rights are frequently violated. Our publication is dedicated to the work of human rights defenders - pro-democracy activists, opposition politicians and their supporters, whose important work continues to go unnoticed too frequently.
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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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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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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...
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Promoting Women Empowerment Through Football
To discuss the empowerment opportunities for young girls and women in Africa through sports, the Global United FC together with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom host the #Freedom2Play summit 2021 with African and European professional football players. The event will be broadcasted digitally on October 15, 2021.
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The Freedom Festival : 27 September 2021
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in collaboration with Nigerian musicians BANTU, Ugandan musician and opposition leader Bobi Wine, South African musician Zolani Mahola (The One Who Sings) and the MIAGI Youth Orchestra / MICM Musicians will be broadcasting the virtual Freedom Festival titled "Change through Music” on 27 September 2021 at 13:00 CAT.
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Will Zambia’s elections 2021 be free and fair?
This Thursday, August 12th 2021, Zambians will head to polling stations to choose their candidates for President, Parliament, and local councils. There are 7 023 499 registered voters across 12 152 polling stations in 156 constituencies. Although 16 candidates will be contesting the Presidency, most analysts are agreed that this election will be a two-horse race between incumbent President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) and Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND.
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No Future for Africa Without Equal Access to Education for Women
Women empowerment has been at the core of the Foundations work in sub-Saharan Africa for a number of years now. There are issues that existed before the pandemic that will most likely exist post the pandemic. What then can be done now to drive a new narrative along with the new normal to ensure that the African agenda for women empowerment and gender equality doesn’t fall away as the world relooks into the future? The best way is to learn through experience.
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Sheroes Empowered to Empower
Women empowerment has been at the core of the Foundations work in sub-Saharan Africa for a number of years now. There are issues that existed before the pandemic that will most likely exist post the pandemic. What then can be done now to drive a new narrative along with the new normal to ensure that the African agenda for women empowerment and gender equality doesn’t fall away as the world relooks into the future? The best way is to learn through experience.
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Human Rights Films Exhibition
On the evening of 30 March, human rights activists across the sub-Saharan Africa region took part in the hosting of a virtual human rights videos watch party. The exhibition was on five human rights short-films that were produced by FNF Africa between 2018 and 2020. The films profile various human rights issues in the region such as human trafficking, corruption, persecution of journalists, LGBT+ rights violations and violence towards women by men.
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Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme
Diversity and inclusion is a priority for the all liberals, thus we continue to support the Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme, which is in collaboration with ALN member parties and strategic partners. The Africa Liberal Women Empowerment Programme supports the advocacy of the UN Women.
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To be free, Africa must be liberated from its liberators
I am honoured to stand before you today to address Liberal International’s 62nd Congress. And I am deeply honoured to receive this year’s African Freedom Prize, on behalf of my party, the Democratic Alliance. I would like to thank the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, not only for this award, but also for the work they do in promoting liberal values, particularly here in Africa.
Social Media
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Landmark Judgements - a show about some of South Africa's major Constitutional Court cases - is brought to you by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom. Cecelia Kok of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation interviews former Public Protector of South Africa, Professor Thuli Madonsela, Advocate Gilbert Marcus SC and Advocate Wim Trengove SC on the infamous 'Nkandla case' (Economic Freedom Fighters and Others v Speaker of the National Assembly and Another). Filmed and recorded for and by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom at CliffCentral and Stellenbosch University. #ruleoflaw #statecapture #ThuliMadonsela #PublicProtector #JacobZuma #accountability #Constitutionallaw #ConstitutionalCourt
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We ask, how can women better reach their goals in society, politics or at work? Dennitah Ghati is a Kenyan Member of Parliament specially elected to represent Persons with Disabilities / special needs in the current Kenya’s 12th Parliament. Among many other achievements, Dennitah holds a Master of Science degree in Social Work and International Affairs from the Ivy League Columbia University, New York, USA. Dennitah says that "young girls in politics must believe in themselves". She also wants to see leaders in Africa that have "the best interest of the people at heart". #FemaleForward In this series we feature 15 female politicians who are participants of the Africa Liberal Network’s Women’s Empowerment Programme for 2021. https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa/focus/female-forward
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Soldiers and police have deployed across schools in Eswatini where, for weeks now, students have been protesting in Africa’s last absolute monarchy. Apparently more than 82 schools closed countrywide due to the ongoing protests. School going learners are said to be protesting calling for the release of two lawmakers arrested during pro-democracy protests earlier this year, as well as free education. Transport workers have also now joined the mounting Eswatini protests following violence after another unrelated incident. Some roads leading to the capital, Mbabane, have been closed and there is a heavy police presence. King Mswati III is accused of running a dictatorship and using security forces to intimidate detractors. See also our event on the protests in Eswatini: https://fb.watch/8GawzqfuBR/ References: https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa/eswatini-protests
