Conference on "Democratisation and Development in West Africa in the Next Millennium: Building a Regional Network for Democracy" held in Abuja, Nigeria October 22 – 24, 1999
Conference Declaration
Introduction
The Conference on "Democratisation and Development in West Africa in the next Millennium - Building a Regional Network for Democracy" was convened by the Centre for Democracy and Development in collaboration with nine other civil society institutions with a special interest in democracy in West Africa, namely:
a.. African Centre for Democracy & Human Rights Studies (the Gambia)
b.. African Centre for Democratic Governance (Nigeria)
c.. Africa Leadership Forum (Nigeria)
d.. Akina Mama wa Afrika (UK)
e.. Centre for Democratic Empowerment (Liberia)
f.. Campaign for Good Governance, (Sierra Leone)
g.. Gerddes-Afrique (Benin)
h.. Institute Afrique Pour La Democratie, (Senegal)
i.. Union Inter-Africaine des Droits de l’Homme (Burkina Faso)
The Conference took place at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja from October 21 - 24, 1999, and was declared open by a representative of Nigeria's Minister for Co-operation and Integration in Africa, Professor Jerry Gana. A keynote address was delivered by former UNDP Administrator, Ms Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The conference was attended by representatives of civil society organisations, social movements, the labour movement, the women's movement, the media and academia from eleven of West Africa's sixteen states.
The Conference also benefited immensely from contributions of experts outside the West African sub-region. The in-depth proceedings were full, frank, collegial, and comprehensive. In consequence, the participants have adopted the following Declaration.
Preamble
Having reviewed the political, socio-economic and gender progress made so far in the democratisation process in West African, and having examined the role of civil society organisations in the post-cold war build-up to democracy in the region, the undersigned groups, which have a common commitment to sustainable democracy and development, propose pro-active measures for consolidating the gains of democracy in the sub-region.
Whereas the Conference:
a.. Believes in the universal value of democracy for the attainment of sustainable human development;
a.. Notes that fourteen out of the sixteen countries in the sub region now have civilian, constitutional rule, with regular, multi-party electoral competition;
b.. Affirms that the movement toward democracy is a process which no one country has completely achieved in the sub-region or anywhere else;
a.. Underscores the need to consolidate fragile electoral democracies so that they become stable, durable, predictable and secure;
b.. Re-affirms the critical role of civil society institutions and citizens’ movements in the deepening and widening of the democratisation agenda.
The Challenges
On the eve of the new millennium and a decade after democratic renewal in West Africa, the Conference notes with concern that in spite of the progress made towards democratic transition and consolidation, a number of hurdles still remain to enable West African countries to move beyond elections. These include, but are not limited to, the following challenges:
a.. The quest for responsible and responsive leadership;
b.. The search for sustainable livelihood and poverty reduction;
c.. The challenge of people-led and consensus-driven constitution making processes;
d.. The challenge of reversing dominant paradigms and received wisdom in democratic development;
e.. Promotion of fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law
f.. Controlling corruption and ensuring accountability and transparency in governance;
g.. Ensuring full freedom for women to contribute and participate on the basis of gender equality;
h.. Reducing conflicts by promoting governmental and non-governmental peace-building strategies on a multi-track basis;
i.. Reducing the psyche of militarism and conflict by extending democratic control over military activities and promoting a culture of tolerance;
j.. Strengthening regional integration and promoting regional mechanisms that can help sustain democratic development and consolidation.
The Way forward
To help consolidate the gains of current transitions, bridge existing divides among civil society institutions in West Africa and contribute towards the irreversibility of the democratic momentum in the sub-region, we believe there is a need to build a regional democracy network of civil society activists, thinkers and workers. The network will be a proactive platform for support and sharing of resources towards the development and consolidation of democracy in the region, relating to governmental and inter-governmental institutions and working with other democrats outside West Africa.
The Network shall be known as the "West African Democracy Network". Its membership will be drawn from citizens’ groups and civil society organisations in the region’s sixteen countries as well as among those who share an abiding faith in the deepening and widening of the democratic principle.
Although the network is non-governmental, its members understand the need to work with governments and inter-governmental institutions in the quest to strengthen and institutionalise democracy as a universal value and a tool for advancing the goal of regional integration and peace-building.
Organising the Network
Towards this end, the West Africa Democracy Network regards as its primary objective the fostering of collaboration and solidarity among democratic forces within the region.
To enable it to undertake this task successfully without creating a new organisation, spreading itself too thin or encroaching on the activities of its members, the Network will in the first instance concentrate on the short term goals of:
a.. Information sharing, exchange and co-operation;
b.. Partnership Collaboration;
c.. Capacity Building and Technical Assistance; and
d.. Solidarity.
To ensure that this is a vibrant network for sharing of resources, exchanging ideas, and supporting programmes in different countries of West Africa, the Network shall maintain a secretariat in Nigeria (at the Centre for Democracy and Development) and also take steps to establish an interactive electronic web-site, and making it accessible to all members.
In the long term, the Network also intends to:
a.. Provide the space for promoting best practice in institutional strengthening and civil society empowerment;
b.. Monitor the work of inter-governmental organisations and multi-lateral institutions interested in governance and development issues in the sub-region; and,
c.. Enhance the resources available for long term sustainability of civil society institutions engaged in democracy work in the region.
Dated 24th October, 1999
SIGNATORIES
Conference Participants
1.. Conmany B. Wesseh
Centre for Democratic Empowerment(CEDE)
11A Broad Street
Snapper Hill
P.O.Box 3679
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: 00231 226959/ 228003
Fax: 00231 228003/226416
Email: [log in to unmask]
b.. Frank Ofei
ECOWAS Secretariat
60 Yakubu Gowon Crescent
Asokoro
P.M.B 401
Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 9 3147637/7647/3006
Fax: 00234 9 314 7646/62/3005
c.. Dr Ladi Hamalai
AFSTRAG
C/o NDA, Kaduna,
NIGERIA
Tel: 00234 62 211612
d.. Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin
Campaign for Democracy(CD)
8 Imania Street
Anthony Village
Lagos,Nigeria
Tel: 00 234 1 4966555
Fax: 00 234 1 4960363
Email: [log in to unmask]
e.. E. Gyimah-Boadi
CDD_Accra
P.O.Box 404
Legon, Ghana
Tel: 00234 4 776142/763029
Fax: 00234 763028
Email: [log in to unmask]
f.. Ayo Obe
Civil Liberties Orgnisation
1A Hussey Street
Jibowu, Yaba
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 1 7746694
Email: [log in to unmask]
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g.. Niass Sadikh
Rencontre Africaine pour la Defense des droits de l’Homme(RADDHO)
AmitieII No 4024
B.P 15246
Dakar-Fann, Senegal
Tel: 00221 8246056
Fax: 00221 8246052
Email: [log in to unmask]
h.. Mody Dieng
Institute Africain pour la Democratic(IAD)
B.P 1780
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 00221 8235720
Fax: 00221 8235721
Email: [log in to unmask]
i.. Aboubakry Ba
African Institute for Democracy(AID)
Bdl. Djily Mbaye
BP. 1780
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 00221 823 5720
Fax: 00221 8235721
Email: [log in to unmask]
j.. Atihou Ife Paul
Ligue pour la de’fense des droits de l’homme ‘au Benin-Cotonou
B.P. 03-630
Cotonou-Benin(RB)
Tel: 00229 332193/332293
Fax: 00229 332601/332601
k.. Dr. Aboubacarr A. Senghore
The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies
Kairaba Avenue
Kombo St. Mary Division
Banjul the Gambia
Tel: 00220 394961/394525
Fax: 00220 394962
Email:[log in to unmask]
l.. Mary N. Brownell
Liberian Women Initiative(LWI)
11 Broad Street
P.O.Box 1063
Monrovia,
Liberia
Tel: 226678/ 227095
m.. Ndubisi Obiorah
HURILAWS
34 Creek Road
Apapa
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 1 5876706/876
Email: [log in to unmask]
n.. Stephen W. Wreh-Wilson
Justice and Peace Commission (JPC)
P.O.Box 3569
96 Ashmun Street
1000 Monrovia 10
Liberia
Tel: 00231 227657/227676/226723
Fax: 00231 226006/226126
Email:[log in to unmask]
o.. Major General Ishola Williams(Rtd)
African Strategic & Research Group
302 Iju Waterworks Road
Iju - Ishaga
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: (234) 4924480/4925535
Fax: 4924280
Email: [log in to unmask]
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p.. Sheikh E. T. Lewis,
Director,
International Society for Human Rights
P.O.Box 1931
Banjul, The Gambia.
Tel: 00220 395039/371878
Fax: 00220 392866
q.. Mazide Ndiaye
Reseau Africain pour le Developpe Integre’
B.P. 12085
Dakar, Senegal
Tel: 00221 8212142
Fax: 00221 8224777
Email: [log in to unmask]
r.. Suah S. Deddeh
Press Union of Liberia
King Sao Bosso Street
P.O.Box 4209
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: 00231 227405
Fax: 00231 227838
Email: [log in to unmask]
s.. Emmanuel Daniel Joof
African Society of International and Comparative Law (ASICL)
Private Mail Box 520
Serrekunda, The Gambia
Tel: 00220 375476
Fax: 00220 375469
Email: [log in to unmask]
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t.. Binta Mansaray
Campaign for Governance
29 Liverpool Street
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel: 00232 22 228454/225253
Fax: 00232 22 228896
Email: [log in to unmask]
u.. Rhoda K. Sesay
Forum for African Women Educationalists(FAWE)
No. 87 Fort Street
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Tel: 227076
Email: [log in to unmask]
v.. Damien Youl Imi Imkouraba
Association pour la Promotion Feminine de Yaaua(APFG)
B.P. 113 Gaam
Bukina Faso
Tel:00226 870078/ 0266
w.. Dr Henri Compaore
UIDH
Tel: 00216 313150
Fax: 00216 313228
Email: [log in to unmask]
x.. Segun Jegede
Committee for Defence of Human Rights(CDHR)
1A Akin Osiyemi Street
Off Allen Avenue
P.O.Box 46024 Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 1 4977488
Email: [log in to unmask]
y.. Bayo Oladeji
NUJ
Nigeria Tribune
P.O.Box 78
Ibadan, NIGERIA
Nigeria
Tel: 00234 02 2318533
z.. Hawa Yakubu,
Executive Secretary,
GERDDES
Cotonou, BENIN
Tel: 00229 334333/334332
Email: [log in to unmask]
aa.. George Sarpong
Media Foundation for West Africa
P.O.Box L 973
Legon
Accra, Ghana
Tel: 00233 242470/401615
Email: [log in to unmask]
ab.. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Kormah Development and Investment Corp
86 Broad Street
Monrovia, Liberia
Tel: 00231 226354(p/f)
22 Rue des Dortensions
Abidjan, Cote d’ivoire
Tel: 00225 449887
Email: [log in to unmask]
ac.. Benadette Cole
Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies
Kairaba Avenue
KSMD
The Gambia
Tel: 00220 394961
Fax: 00220 394962
Email: [log in to unmask]
ad.. Boubacar Diop
AMDH ,
Bamako,
MALI
Immeuble Yaya Hanne Segou
Tel: 320 52813(B)
Te1: 320848(D)
Fax: 320038
Email:[log in to unmask]
ae.. Lanre Ogundipe,
President,
Nigeria Union of Journalist
Area 11, Garki
P.O.Box 4350
Abuja, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 9 3143017
af.. Olasinde Olajide
International Institute of Journalism
P.O.Box 4350
Abuja, Nigeria
Fax: 00234 9 3143015
ag.. Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Raf Sanjani)
CAPP-Abuja
Plot 556A Borno Street
Area 10 Garki
P.O.Box 6533
Garki, Abuja
Nigeria
Tel: 00234 9 2346780/ 2347593
Email: [log in to unmask]
ah.. Sonny Onyegbula
CDD-Nigeria
2 Olabode Close
off Association Ave.
P.O.Box 15700
Ikeja
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 1 493 4420
Email: [log in to unmask]
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1.. Oghoghor Obayuwana
The Guardian Newspaper-Abuja
Tel: 00234 9 5231905
36. Oladimeji Abitogun
The Comet Newspaper-Abuja
Tel/Fax: 00234 9 2343203
37. Hadjia Aissa Diallo.
Comite d’Action pour la Droit de la FEMME et de l’Enfant(CADEF)
RP 2653
Bamako, Mali
Tel: 00223 225638
Fax: 00223 234102
Email: [log in to unmask]
38. Kadiatou Sowe Sy,
Collectif des Femmes du Mali (COFEM)
BP E 653
Bamako, Mali
Tel: 00223 231309
Fax: 00223 231940
Email: [log in to unmask]
39. Jeannette Eno
Akina Mama wa Afrika
334-336 Goswell Road
London EC1
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 0044 181 2249983
Fax: 0044 181 8730246
40.Iheoma Obibi
Alliances for Africa
Aberdeen Centre
Unit 10
24 Highbury Grove
London N5 2EA
[log in to unmask]
1.. Abdoulaye Bathily ,
Cheickh Anta Diop University,
B P 5591
Dakar Fann-Senegal
Tel: 00221 8276937
Fax: 00221 8274300
Email: [log in to unmask]
2.. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi
Akina Mama wa Afrika
334-336 Goswell Road
London N7 7NE
Tel: 0171 7135166
Fax: 0171 713 1959
Website:www.akinamama.com
Email: [log in to unmask]
Email:[log in to unmask]
3.. Aaron T. Gana
African Centre for Democractic Governance
11 Rock Haven Street
P.O.Box 13140
Jos, Plateau State
Nigeria
Tel: 00234 73611266
Fax: 00234 73610654
Email: [log in to unmask]
4.. Kole Shettima
The Macarthur Foundation
2 Oshin Road
Kongi, Bodija
Ibadan, NIGERIA
Tel: 02 8100168
Fax: 02 8100090
Email:k.shettima.macarthur.skannet.com
45. Ike Okonta
CDD
12 Weston Street
London SE21 3ER
Tel: +44 171 407 0772
Fax: +44 171 407 0773
Email: [log in to unmask];
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46. Sola Olorunyomi
English Department
University of Ibadan
Nigeria
Email:[log in to unmask]
47. Bisi Olonisakin
CDD-Lagos,
NIGERIA
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: 00 234 1 493 4420; 4925157
48. Sindi Me’dar-Gould
BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights
Flat 1 Musa Yaradua Street
Lagos, Nigeria
Tel: 00234 1 2626267
Fax: 00234 1 617134
Email: [log in to unmask];
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49.Joanna Foster
Women in Law and Development in Africa
P.O.Box 4622, Harare, Zimbabwe
2nd Floor Zambia House
Union Avenue
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: 00263 4 752105/751189
Fax: 00263 4 781886
Email: [log in to unmask]
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50. Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem
CDD
Pan African Movement
Box 24590
Kampala, Uganda
Tel: 00256 41 269993
Email: [log in to unmask]
e.. Ndey Jobarteh
Akina Mama wa Afrika
334-336 Goswell Road
London EC1V 7LQ
Tel: 0171 713 5166
Fax: 0171 713 1959
Email:[log in to unmask]
f.. Samuel Egwu,
African Centre for Democratic Governance (AFRIGOV),
Jos, NIGERIA
Email: [log in to unmask]
g.. Nana K.A. Busia, jnr,
International Alert,
1 Glyn Street,
London SE11
Tel: +44 171 793 83 83
Fax: +44 171 793 74 64
Email: [log in to unmask]
h.. Zaya Yeebo,
Vice-Chair, CDD Governing Council
CDD-London
Tel: 0181 3500684
i.. Mohammad Faal,
Research Associate,
CDD,
12 Leathermarket,
London SE1 3ER,
UNITED KINGDOM
Email:[log in to unmask]
j.. Niyi Alabi
The Polyghot
P.O.Box GP13115
Accra, Ghana
Tel: 00233 21 776409
Fax: 00233 21 776420
Mobile: 027 584271
Email: [log in to unmask]
51. Roger Gomez
Transmedia International
BP 982 Cotonou
Tel: 00229 323005/302071
P.O.Box 7871
Accra, Ghana
Tel: 00233 27583559
52. Robert Odenkey Mensah
The Lawsmiths
P.O.Box MP1507
Mamprobi
Accra, Ghana
Tel/Fax: 00233 21 666445/668688
53. J. ’Kayode Fayemi,
Director,
CDD,
12 The Leathermarket Street,
Weston Street,
London SE1 3ER,
U.K.
Tel: +44 171 407 0772
Fax: +44 171 407 0773
Email: [log in to unmask];
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54. Sadikou Ayo Alao,
President,
GERDDES-AFRIQUE,
C/4001A-Akakpa,
B.P.1258 Cotonou,
BENIN
Tel: +229 33 43 33
Fax: +229 33 44 99/33 43 32,
Email: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Website: www.gerddes.org
1.. Clement Nwankwo,
Executive Director,
Constitutional Rights Project (CRP)
5, Abiona Close, Off Falolu Road, Surulere, Lagos
(with offices in Owerri, Imo State)
Tel: +234 1-5848498, 5843041,
Fax: +234 1-5848571
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
b.. Richard Akinnola,
Chairperson,
Centre for Free Speech,
Lagos, NIGERIA
Email: [log in to unmask]
c.. Ambassador Brownson Dede,
Director-General,
Federal Ministry for Cooperation & Integration in Africa,
Federal Secretariat,
Abuja, NIGERIA
d.. Dr Larry Diamond,
Hoover Institution,
Stanford University,
California, USA
Tel: +1 650 723 5048
Fax: +1 650 723 1928
Email:
[log in to unmask]
e.. Joanna Skelt,
CDD,
12 The Leathermarket,
Weston Street,
London SE1 3ER,
London, U.K.
Tel: + 44 171 407 0772
Fax: +44 171 407 0773
Email: [log in to unmask]
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