Statement on the Re-establishment of the Democrat Union of Africa
The International Democrat Union congratulates our African partners and the newly elected Interim Steering Committee on the re-establishment of the Democrat Union of Africa. Founded in 1997 in Dakar, Senegal as the regional affiliate of the International Democrat Union, the DUA brings together like-minded political parties in support of freedom and democracy.
The DUA meeting held in Accra, Ghana, from February 3-5, consisted of 35 high-ranking political figures representing 17 national parties. It established short and medium-term goals for the DUA and a work plan of activities and training. The meeting concluded by electing the Interim Steering Committee, which will manage the affairs of the DUA until the next Annual General Meeting.
The IDU wishes to congratulate the Honorable McHenry Venaani, Leader of the Opposition and President of the Popular Democratic Movement of Namibia, for his election as Chairman of the DUA Interim Steering Committee.
The IDU also congratulates the four elected Vice Chairmen, one for each of Africa’s regions:
North: Mr. Rahhal El Makkaoui, Member of the Executive Committee in Charge of International Relations, Istiqlal Party, Morocco;
West: Mr. John Boadu, Secretary General, New Patriotic Party, Ghana;
East: Mrs. Ingrid Turinawe Kamateneti, Secretary for Mobilization, Forum for Democratic Change, Uganda; and,
South: Mr. Vincent Mashinji, Secretary General, Chadema, Tanzania.
Finally, the IDU congratulates the newly appointed representatives:
Mrs. Linette Olofsson, Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Democratic Movement, Mozambique, for women and for the Portuguese-speaking communities of Africa; and,
Mrs. N’guessan Edwige Wassa Amoin, Parti Democratique, Côte d`Ivoire, for youth and the French-speaking communities of Africa.
The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, IDU Chairman, stated: “Re-establishing the Democrat Union of Africa gives us the opportunity to work towards addressing the challenges of the African continent with our partners in a strong and united network of the centre-right. The IDU will support the DUA as it works to bring member-parties into office in their respective countries. As an organization based on the values of freedom, democracy, and market economics, we offer the DUA our full support as it strives to achieve its goals of writing a new chapter in the African success story.”
The International Democrat Union is the world’s leading association of conservative, Christian-democratic, and centre-right political parties. With more than 80 member parties around the world, the IDU connects conservatives globally in support of freedom and democracy. www.idu.org