Africa Drive for Democracy Conference aims to tackle the democratic downturn

As Africa experiences a democratic decline as a result of coups and rising authoritarianism, strong civil society collaboration and networks are vital.

Zanzibar, Arusha and Pretoria – Despite numerous commitments by African leaders to good governance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the continent is facing the most severe decline since the global third wave of democratisation in the 1990s. In response to this alarming situation, the African Union (AU) has held two special meetings this year to discuss the trend towards unconstitutional changes of government.

As the AU tackles this important subject, the Africa Drive for Democracy conference will convene in Arusha, Tanzania from 20-21 July 2022 to rebuild African solidarity around democracy.

Freedom House reports that only seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa are currently rated ‘free’ – the lowest figure since 1991. Only 9% of people in this region lived in ‘free’ countries in 2020, compared to 11% the previous year. Nevertheless, African people overwhelmingly support democracy according to AfroBarometer.

Years of investment in building a viable African civil society as an important democratic lever are under threat as authoritarianism rises not just in Africa, but other parts of the world too. The time is right to critically reflect on citizens’ role in fostering democracy, along with challenges and successes thus far, and new possibilities for Africa’s democratic journey.

The Africa Drive for Democracy conference brings together representatives of the democratic community from over 30 African countries. Delegates at the forefront of the struggle for democracy will have a safe space to discuss trends, exchange lessons and experiences and strengthen networks of solidarity. The conference will deliberate on the plight of democratic activists and how to regenerate their efforts in the face of growing threats from increasingly authoritarian states.

Participants will include leading academics, researchers, jurists, student leaders, journalists, trade unionists, political parties and active citizens. The conference will be opened by former president Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone.

The conference is co-hosted by the Center for Strategic Litigation, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation and the Institute for Security Studies, with support from the Embassy of Sweden in Tanzania and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

Visit the conference website: www.africadrivefordemocracy.com. For more information and media enquiries, email the conference secretariat: [email protected].