Sub-Saharan Africa
The future of Africa is often regarded in a strangely unimaginative and pessimistic way. Yet Africa today is full of diversity, economic potential and innovative development.
However, the continent faces numerous challenges. As a liberal foundation, we believe that sustainable development depends on strong democratic institutions. Through our activities, we therefore promote liberal policies such as human rights, the rule of law, innovation, digitalisation and free trade.
From our offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Abidjan and Dakar, we support partners in several African countries in advocating liberal values and implementing democratic structures.
News
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Omicron in South Africa: a sour note
“We are deeply disappointed by the decision of several countries to prohibit travel from several Southern African countries following the identification of the Omicron variant. This is a clear and completely unjustified departure from the commitment that many of these countries made at the meeting of G20 countries in Rome last month. These restrictions are unjustified and unfairly discriminate against our country.”
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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 was 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. A few months after the elections, Bobi Wine says he's disappointed that the international community continues to work with President Yoweri Museveni.
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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
“Sport has a vital role to play in promoting women's rights. It offers women and girls vastly underestimated opportunities to assert themselves as independent individuals in patriarchal societies. This requires low-threshold access to sports – with more trained female coaches, an improved infrastructure and enhanced club structures. Numerous organisations are promoting women's football in Africa, but development is still proceeding slowly. We need to spark new impulses for the professionalisation of African football”, said FIFA Technical Committee member and #Freedom2Play expert Fran Hilton-Smith.
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The Freedom Festival : 27 September 2021
Through their music, BANTU and Bobi Wine call for tolerance, the right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. The musicians openly speak out against corruption and injustice in their countries and in the region. Their questioning and critical response to what they consider human rights violations have led to arrests, indictments, torture and strict surveillance especially that of Bobi Wine. The Foundation collaborated with the musicians, including Zolani Mahola and the MIAGI Youth Orchestra / MICM Musicians in a virtual Freedom Festival titled "Change through Music”, which aired on 27 September 2021.
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Will Zambia’s elections 2021 be free and fair?
This election period has certainly seen an uneven playing field. Zambia is one of the fastest declining democracies globally. Arbitrary arrests and detentions without charge have become commonplace with Hakainde Hichilema having been detained on 15 occasions. Although COVID-19 restrictions have prevented parties from campaigning in the usual ways, President Lungu and his running mate have continued touring the country on ‘official business’.
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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?
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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. The Programme will be pursued as a two (2) pronged approach regional empowerment programme for women and the political parties they are members of.
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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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Call for application open: Study grants for Master’s-level programme at UMEF University – Switzerland The scholarship is a programme designed by the Liberal International president Dr Hakima el Haité and President of Senegal, Macky Sall. There are 1000 scholarships available, per year, over five years. The online course is for students from Africa to apply for master’s level study. The deadline is Friday, 28 January 2022 2022. PS: The course will be delivered only in French in the first year. https://liberal-international.org/news-articles/study-grants-to-swiss-umef-university-call-for-application-now-open/
