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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Freedom Speech and Award Ceremony of Guinean Opposition Leader Cellou Dalein Diallo
Cellou Dalein Diallo has dedicated his political life to the peaceful struggle against the autocratic rule and the mismanagement that have dominated Guinea for a long time. Organising the opposition's voice against the multiple military take overs in Guinea, he has often been on the receiving end of the brutality of state supported violence under the different military juntas. For his efforts, he receives continuous support from liberals all around the world.
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New office and hub of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Nairobi
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation will have a strong presence to promote democracy, human rights, entrepreneurship and free trade in Kenya. At the opening of our new office in Nairobi, our chairman Prof Paqué states: Kenya and the whole of Africa have the chance to take a big economic step forward. The liberal family will support them on the ground. Read the speech in full here.
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Nailbiter continues for Peace Prize of the German Book Trade winner Tsitsi Dangarembga
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has traveled to Harare, Zimbabwe, for the announced sentencing of Tsitsi Dangarembga. But the attrition tactics against the critic continue: the date for the pronouncement of the verdict has been postponed to September 29. Dangarembga is a peaceful critic of Zimbabwe's autocratic repressive system. She was sentenced because of a poster calling for reforms. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation has been observing the trial on the ground since it opened some two and a half years ago.
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Outsider shakes up Kenya's election campaign: Why is the exotic Wajackoyah doing so well?
George Wajackoyah is an enigmatic personality in many respects: both his appearance and his theses are provocative. But why does the exotic Wajackoyah go down so well? His success highlights the dilemma facing Kenyan voters in the presidential elections on 9 August: The candidates of the political establishment do not represent a bold departure that Kenya so desperately needs.
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Inspiring Women 2022
People have their own sets of expectations towards women, especially when it comes to leadership roles. It is not easy and I realised that all over the world, women are facing common challenges that men do not face in the same leadership roles. Our communities expect so much from women but at the same time, they need us to be careful and follow their rules. Our societies think that if a woman becomes a leader or politician, she should not dress in a certain way and she should communicate in a certain way, something that is not expected from men.
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Tsitsi Dangarembga – A Case of Freedoms and Reforms on Trial
Tsitsi Dangarembga and Julie Barnes are accused of unlawfully demonstrating against corruption, calling for media and political freedom. They are further charged with attending an illegal public gathering and contravening COVID-19 regulations. Fungisai Sithole, Project Manager at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom office in Harare, Zimbabwe, attended the trial at the Rotten Row Magistrate Court in Harare.
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THE CLASH OF SYSTEMS: African Perceptions of the European Union and China Engagement
“The African survey participants hold up a mirror to European policy on Africa and expose Europe’s sometimes still paternalistic and romantic view of Africa. Europe's belief in the superiority of its own values contrasts with the pragmatic view of Africans on the performance and behaviour of the two partners (the EU and China)," says Stefan Schott, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in East Africa Project Director.
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Calling young innovators: Pitch your idea on a global stage
With her innovative research in these cells, Emmie Chiyindiko impressed the judges at the Falling Walls Lab Cape Town, co-hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the University of Cape Town. ‘Falling Walls Labs’ are events held around the world in which budding innovators have just three minutes to pitch a groundbreaking idea that stands to change the world for the better. The winners of these international labs come together in Berlin, Germany each year.
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The Journey from OAU to AU: Security Remains a Key Concern in Africa
The Malabo extraordinary summit is going to afford the continental body the opportunity to re-look what it once adopted in 2020 to silence the guns. The African Union Peace and Security Council expressed its grave concern over the persistence of conflict in the continent. As the continent seeks to rebuild itself, there are worries that this has been triggered by several factors like the trend of civilians acquiring arms for protection during situations of conflict.
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The Effects of Low Vaccinations Numbers in the Region
Meanwhile, low vaccination rates in the region have also hit vaccine makers in Africa who hoped to use demand for vaccines to generate orders. In May, a South African factory in Gqeberha said that it was on the verge of shutting down the production line it had set up to manufacture a version of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because it had not received a single order for its product. “International agencies” are being blamed for not placing orders.
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Behind Zimbabwe’s Currency Woes
The Z$750 000 note shocked many as a bigger banknote, but the Z$100 billion-dollar note in 2008 stole the show, which remains named as the Guinness record world's highest denomination banknote notwithstanding the ensuing introduction of a Z$100 trillion dollar note. The 100 trillion-dollar note became part of Zimbabwe’s former central bank chief Gideon Gono's failed efforts at saving an economic Armageddon characterised by a feisty inflation and deficits...
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The DRC joins the East Africa Community bloc
On April 8, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) formally joined the East African Community (EAC), a regional trade and political bloc. Analysts say that both the DRC and its neighbours stand to benefit from the new arrangement, which will expand the EAC as far west as the Atlantic Ocean and further open Congo’s market of 90 million people to the region. But the DRC’s ongoing security challenges could also complicate its integration.
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The Shaky Peace Deal in South Sudan
According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, more than 400 people were massacred in bitter rival militias in the country between June and September 2021. Kiir and Machar's militias allegedly committed the atrocities. The oil rich South Sudan has been engulfed in ethnic violence since December 2013 and over 400 000 people have died since the conflict started. South Sudanese entrusted the AU to ensure that justice is served and end the culture of impunity.
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COVID-19 Impact on Women Informal Cross Border Traders in Southern Africa
‘Women informal cross border traders’ (WICBTs) play a vital role in sustaining Africa’s economy. Estimates suggest that between 50% to 60% of total intra-African trade is informal, and in most regions in Africa, including Southern Africa, women constitute around 70% of informal cross border traders (ICBTs). WICBTs do not only support their families and communities, they also provide an important contribution to the domestic and regional economies of their countries.
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Rwanda’s Digital Free Speech Comes Under Siege
As Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame tightens his grip on power, freedom for many who have switched to digital media to find a footing for their voices has come under siege from the country’s regime. Rwanda’s YouTube bloggers & commentators have of late found themselves in trouble for using the platform to point out perceived negative government reports. It has been reported that more than 20 bloggers and YouTubers in Rwanda were detained or disappeared in 2020 alone.
Social Media
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The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom awards Guinean opposition leader, Cellou Dalein Diallo with the 2022 Africa Freedom Prize. Cellou Dalein Diallo is the former Prime Minister of Guinea who currently leads the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea. Join us as we reflect on his journey and experiences of Guinea against multiple military take overs, mismanagement and brutal autocratic rule. The event takes place in Johannesburg on 8 October 2022 and will be screened on social media soon after. Despite the challenges of stolen elections and a fragile political environment, Cellou Dalein Diallo’s struggle for democracy and advocacy for the re-establishment of a legitimate government continues. (Some images sourced from Cuddly).
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Kusini Water provides safe drinking water to people in rural areas using a solar-powered water purification system. Social entrepreneur, Murendeni Mafumo is a firm believer in the importance of providing sustainable water and safe drinking water, particularly to people in rural areas who cannot necessarily afford to buy bottled water. In the twelfth and last episode of Freedom Pioneers Of Africa, Murendeni Mafumo presents his concept and also discusses his initiative with our resident Global Connector, Bianca Praetorius. LISTEN HERE: 👉 https://iono.fm/e/1234902 #Innovation #Water #Security #Safe #Drinking #Sustainable #Environment #Freedom #Entrepreneurship #FNFreedomToCreate
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It is a new dawn, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom launches a new office in #Kenya 🇰🇪 that will also play the role of being the Foundation's Global Partnership Hub. Building upon our global footprint and impact in 60 countries, we are proud to begin this new chapter in East Africa's largest economy. #FNFKenyaLaunch
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