Selam all, I have attended an important conference organized for African Civil Society organizations and democracy activists by a group of American prodemocracy institutions such as the National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, NDI, etc. The preparatory Conference was held at the national Endowment for Democracy on Tuesday, August 5 and the US Congress on Wednesday August 6, 2014. It was a parallel Conference designed to pass a clear message to President Obama and the African leaders invited by him that the popular struggle for democracy to liberate Africans from the repression of dictatorial regimes will continue. Three leading Congressmen: Hon. Karen Bass, Hon. Chris Smith and House Democratic Whip, the Hon. Steny Hoyer have addressed the Conference and expressed their solidarity for the struggle for freedom and Democracy in Africa. Civil society leaders and democracy activists invited from most African countries were organized into 6 Panels made discussions on six Important issues: Human Rights, Good Governance and Accountability, Free and Fair Elections, Media, Conflict and Security as well as Civil Society Challenges. Recommendations regarding the way forward was made both the US Government and the African Governments. The central message to President Obama was : tell African leaders not to kill and imprison your citizens to steal elections. I was in the Elections Panel and presented my views regarding the challenges to free and fair elections in Africa using my Ethiopian experience. I have also given interview to the VOA regarding the conference. Regards, Merera Gudina, (PhD) Associate Professor of Political Science & International Relations, Addis Ababa University Tel. +251-111-231067 (Office) + 251-911-213887 (Mobile) POB 1176 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 08:02:40 +0000
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