Campaigners condemn undemocratic trends
Regional democracy advocates have condemned the continued trends by African leaders to disregard principles of democracy and the rule of law.
During their meeting in Lilongwe from April 1 to 5 2024, Tournons La Page (TLP) board of directors, consultants and experts developed the Lilongwe Declaration on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Respect for Constitutional Principles in Africa.
The declaration highlights challenges to democratic change, the rule of law, respect for constitutional principles and persistence in human rights abuse.
Reads the declaration: “Dictatorial and repressive reflexes, exclusionary and bad governance practices, electoral fraud, oppression against TLP members as well as democracy actors, military and constitutional coups, terrorism and armed conflicts are evils that undermine our countries and constitute serious handicaps to the emergence of a true democracy.”
In an interview after the meeting, TLP president Didier Alexandre Amani from Côte d’Ivoire said the activists further condemn the growing restriction of civic space and all the consequences that this situation has on the lives of citizens.
“Thus, we strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of our colleagues, Prince Fadel in Togo and Floriane Irangabiye in Burundi, who were arrested for their work as citizens’ watchdogs and for denouncing violations,” he said.
Through the declaration, the activists called for the unconditional release of all human rights and political activists from prisons and other detentions.
The declaration observed that in many countries, citizens are not equal before the law. Discriminatory practices based on political affiliation have become commonplace and create all kinds of frustrations.
TLP-Malawi national coordinator Malango Maganga said the chapter will use the same declaration to advance democracy and rule of law in the country through providing resources and capacity building to civil societies involved in electoral matters.
He said the first assignment will be targeting the 2025 Tripartite Elections by promoting inclusion, fairness and promotion of freedoms.
