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:

• African Centre for Democracy & Human Rights Studies (the Gambia)

• African Centre for Democratic Governance (Nigeria)

• Africa Leadership Forum (Nigeria)

• Akina Mama wa Afrika (UK)

• Centre for Democratic Empowerment (Liberia)

• Campaign for Good Governance, (Sierra Leone)

• Gerddes-Afrique (Benin)

• Institute Afrique Pour La Democratie, (Senegal)

• 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:

• Believes in the universal value of democracy for the attainment of sustainable human development;

• Notes that fourteen out of the sixteen countries in the sub region now have civilian, constitutional rule, with regular, multi-party electoral competition;

• Affirms that the movement toward democracy is a process which no one country has completely achieved in the sub-region or anywhere else;

• Underscores the need to consolidate fragile electoral democracies so that they become stable, durable, predictable and secure;

• 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:

• The quest for responsible and responsive leadership;

• The search for sustainable livelihood and poverty reduction;

• The challenge of people-led and consensus-driven constitution making processes;

• The challenge of reversing dominant paradigms and received wisdom in democratic development;

• Promotion of fundamental freedoms, human rights and the rule of law

• Controlling corruption and ensuring accountability and transparency in governance;

• Ensuring full freedom for women to contribute and participate on the basis of gender equality;

• Reducing conflicts by promoting governmental and non-governmental peace-building strategies on a multi-track basis;

• Reducing the psyche of militarism and conflict by extending democratic control over military activities and promoting a culture of tolerance;

• 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:

• Information sharing, exchange and co-operation;

• Partnership Collaboration;

• Capacity Building and Technical Assistance; and

• 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:

1. Provide the space for promoting best practice in institutional strengthening and civil society empowerment;

2. Monitor the work of inter-governmental organisations and multi-lateral institutions interested in governance and development issues in the sub-region; and,

3. 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]

2. 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

3. Dr Ladi Hamalai

   AFSTRAG

   C/o NDA, Kaduna,

   NIGERIA

   Tel: 00234 62 211612

    

4. 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]

5. E. Gyimah-Boadi

   CDD_Accra

   P.O.Box 404

   Legon, Ghana

   Tel: 00234 4 776142/763029

   Fax: 00234 763028

   Email: [log in to unmask]

    

6. Ayo Obe

   Civil Liberties Orgnisation

   1A Hussey Street

   Jibowu, Yaba

   Lagos, Nigeria

   Tel: 00234 1 7746694

   Email: [log in to unmask]

   [log in to unmask]

    

7. 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]

8. Mody Dieng

   Institute Africain pour la Democratic(IAD)

   B.P 1780

   Dakar, Senegal

   Tel: 00221 8235720

   Fax: 00221 8235721

   Email: [log in to unmask]

9. 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]

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

10. 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

11. 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]

12. Mary N. Brownell

    Liberian Women Initiative(LWI)

    11 Broad Street

    P.O.Box 1063

    Monrovia,

    Liberia

    Tel: 226678/ 227095

13. Ndubisi Obiorah

    HURILAWS

    34 Creek Road

    Apapa

    Lagos, Nigeria

    Tel: 00234 1 5876706/876

    Email: [log in to unmask]

14. 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]

15. 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]

    [log in to unmask]

16. Sheikh E. T. Lewis,

    Director,

    International Society for Human Rights

    P.O.Box 1931

    Banjul, The Gambia.

    Tel: 00220 395039/371878

    Fax: 00220 392866

17. Mazide Ndiaye

    Reseau Africain pour le Developpe Integre’

    B.P. 12085

    Dakar, Senegal

    Tel: 00221 8212142

    Fax: 00221 8224777

    Email: [log in to unmask]

18. 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]

19. 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]

    [log in to unmask]

20. 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]

     

21. Rhoda K. Sesay

    Forum for African Women Educationalists(FAWE)

    No. 87 Fort Street

    Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Tel: 227076

    Email: [log in to unmask]

     

22. Damien Youl Imi Imkouraba

    Association pour la Promotion Feminine de Yaaua(APFG)

    B.P. 113 Gaam

    Bukina Faso

    Tel:00226 870078/ 0266

23. Dr Henri Compaore

    UIDH

    Tel: 00216 313150

    Fax: 00216 313228

    Email: [log in to unmask]

24. 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]

25. Bayo Oladeji

    NUJ

    Nigeria Tribune

    P.O.Box 78

    Ibadan, NIGERIA

    Nigeria

    Tel: 00234 02 2318533

26. Hawa Yakubu,

    Executive Secretary,

    GERDDES

    Cotonou, BENIN

    Tel: 00229 334333/334332

    Email: [log in to unmask]

27. George Sarpong

    Media Foundation for West Africa

    P.O.Box L 973

    Legon

    Accra, Ghana

    Tel: 00233 242470/401615

    Email: [log in to unmask]

28. 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]

29. 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]

30. Boubacar Diop

    AMDH ,

    Bamako,

    MALI

    Immeuble Yaya Hanne Segou

    Tel: 320 52813(B)

    Te1: 320848(D)

    Fax: 320038

    Email:[log in to unmask]

31. Lanre Ogundipe,

    President,

    Nigeria Union of Journalist

    Area 11, Garki

    P.O.Box 4350

    Abuja, Nigeria

    Tel: 00234 9 3143017

32. Olasinde Olajide

    International Institute of Journalism

    P.O.Box 4350

    Abuja, Nigeria

    Fax: 00234 9 3143015

33. 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]

34. 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]

[log in to unmask]

35. 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

info@allianceforafrica.org

 

 

 

 

 

41. Abdoulaye Bathily ,

    Cheickh Anta Diop University,

    B P 5591

    Dakar Fann-Senegal

    Tel: 00221 8276937

    Fax: 00221 8274300

    Email: [log in to unmask]

42. 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]

43. 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]

44. 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];

    [log in to unmask]

    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];

    [log in to unmask]

    49.Joanna Foster

    Women in Law and Development in Africa

    P.O.Box 4622, Harare, Zimbabwe

    2^nd Floor Zambia House

    Union Avenue

    Harare, Zimbabwe

    Tel: 00263 4 752105/751189

    Fax: 00263 4 781886

    Email: [log in to unmask]

    [log in to unmask]

    [log in to unmask]

    50. Dr. Tajudeen Abdul-Raheem

    CDD

    Pan African Movement

    Box 24590

    Kampala, Uganda

    Tel: 00256 41 269993

    Email: [log in to unmask]

     

45. 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]

46. Samuel Egwu,

    African Centre for Democratic Governance (AFRIGOV),

    Jos, NIGERIA

    Email: [log in to unmask]

47. 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]

48. Zaya Yeebo,

    Vice-Chair, CDD Governing Council

    CDD-London

    Tel: 0181 3500684

49. Mohammad Faal,

    Research Associate,

    CDD,

    12 Leathermarket,

    London SE1 3ER,

    UNITED KINGDOM

    Email:[log in to unmask]

50. 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];

[log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask];

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

 

55. 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]

56. Richard Akinnola,

    Chairperson,

    Centre for Free Speech,

    Lagos, NIGERIA

    Email: [log in to unmask]

57. Ambassador Brownson Dede,

    Director-General,

    Federal Ministry for Cooperation & Integration in Africa,

    Federal Secretariat,

    Abuja, NIGERIA

58. Dr Larry Diamond,

    Hoover Institution,

    Stanford University,

    California, USA

    Tel: +1 650 723 5048

    Fax: +1 650 723 1928

    Email:

    [log in to unmask]

59. 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]