We, 15 former heads of state and government from across the African continent, have
gathered in Bamako, Mali, from June 5 to 8, 2005, to discuss the individual and collaborative
contributions that former leaders can make to address the urgent challenges facing Africa today. We
believe that democracy is the sole form of government that permits the development of the range of
national institutions needed to ensure sustainable peace, security, economic growth and social wellbeing.
We applaud the spread of democratic values and respect for the rights of citizens in a
growing number of African countries. We commit ourselves to continuing to use our good offices
to foster dialogue and the peaceful resolution of the continent’s conflicts, and to promote human
security and democratic models of government that offer citizens the opportunity to choose their
leaders freely and participate fully in the political life of their countries. We will continue to work
to address the threat of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other public health crises, and to
encourage sustainable economic development and the protection of our rich but fragile ecosystems.
Since leaving office, African leaders have offered their experience and expertise and often
succeeded in promoting peace, democracy and human rights across the continent and in
international forums. They have sought to safeguard the integrity and transparency of electoral
systems, to draw attention to the ravages of malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious
diseases, to encourage the participation of women in politics, and to improve access to education
and economic opportunities for Africans, especially youth. They have acted as mediators in
resolving conflicts in a number of countries, while analyzing and drawing attention to the root
causes of war in others. Many former leaders have contributed to the development and progress of
emerging regional and sub-regional bodies such as the African Union and the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD). At the same time, former leaders also serve as a voice for Africa
in the international community.
We acknowledge that Africa is a mosaic where in many places, political leaders – both
governing and opposition – and civil society are building and reinforcing the institutions of
democratic change and renewal, while forming important alliances to alleviate poverty, combat
disease and protect our environments. We welcome the future participation of outgoing heads of
state and government in efforts to promote democratic principles, good governance, and human
security and development through individual and collective action.
We believe that by harnessing the rich human and material resources available to the
continent, it is possible – and indeed vital – to help transform an African dream of peace,
prosperity, opportunity into reality for the continent’s citizens. We note with appreciation the work
of existing forums to bring together former heads of state and government, including the Club de
Madrid, the Council of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the Americas and Boston University’s
African Presidential Archives and Research Center, as well as international organizations, academia
and non-governmental organizations that have offered technical expertise and created opportunities
for former heads of state to serve the continent in meaningful ways. We welcome new initiatives
being discussed, such as the Council of Elders by NEPAD, and within the Commonwealth. We
support the initiative of the United Nations Development Programme to establish the Africa
Governance Institute as an incubator of innovative ideas, an institutional vehicle for assembling
tried and tested measures, and a forum for dialogue between international and local partners on
governance issues.
In concluding our deliberations over the past three days, we affirm and commit ourselves to
the following:
Leadership, Security and Conflict Resolution
Individually and collectively, we commit to promoting strong and sustainable processes and
institutions of democratic governance on the continent. We highlight the important role of militaries
and security forces in protecting citizens, as well as the necessity for civilian oversight of the
military. We recognize the importance of addressing the challenges and root causes of conflicts that
undermine the development of accountable and inclusive democratic rule. We encourage the
international community to commit resources to the prevention of conflicts and to support fully
peacekeeping efforts by regional and international bodies.
We are preoccupied by the prevalence of conflict in a number of African countries, and
support efforts by the United Nations, the African Union and other regional bodies to resolve them
through dialogue and reconciliation. We will continue to be available to undertake mediation and
conflict prevention efforts, and to assist the process of conflict resolution through the development
and implementation of sustainable peace processes based on reconciliation, justice and democratic
principles.
We affirm that changes of power and political succession should always be based on
constitutional rule and democratic principles. We are gravely concerned that a number of countries
are still experiencing serious difficulties in meeting such requirements for successful democratic
transitions. We urge that inclusive frameworks for dialogue be created in such countries in order to
chart a course toward reconciliation and consolidation of democracy.
Sustainable Democratization
We affirm the special responsibility of former heads of state and government to support the
development of strong, well functioning legislative and judicial bodies, as well as other public
institutions to ensure public accountability. We commit to addressing the barriers that prevent the
full political participation of women. We will continue to support the development of free and
participatory electoral processes as the method for settling peacefully the competition for power.
We recognize that no election can be separated from its broader historical and cultural context and
that elections must be conducted with full respect for internationally recognized civil and political
rights. When organized hastily in post-conflict situations and without attention to the root causes of
violence or to overcoming previous exclusionary policies and practices, we know from experience
that elections can exacerbate rather than resolve instability. Yet, we recognize that while elections
are insufficient to create democracy, democratic governance is not possible without genuine
elections. Such elections require workable and participatory political systems, and the promotion
and support of wider civic and voter education efforts.
Drawing on African traditions of consensus and inclusive dialogue, we note in particular the
need to foster internal democracy within political parties, and to develop and reinforce the role of
opposition and minority voices in governance structures. We draw attention to the ongoing
decentralization programs of many countries and encourage these efforts to extend democratic
participation to the communal level. We encourage the international community to commit
resources to democratization efforts at all levels of governance. In this regard, we acknowledge the
recently proposed United Nations democracy fund and encourage that it be appropriately funded if
approved.
Public Health Imperatives
We recognize that deadly diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, create a
health crisis that is robbing the continent of valuable human resources and exacerbating poverty.
Their unchecked spread undermines confidence in nascent democracies, as citizens’ expectations
for improved socio-economic standards are frustrated. As former heads of state and government, we
want to join with others in government and civil society to promote awareness, mobilize resources
and improve access to health care. We encourage in particular the international community to
commit the resources necessary to effectively address these public health challenges. We commit
ourselves to working toward a continent-wide consensus on an integrated approach to limit the
impact of and ultimately eradicate disease. Of serious concern is the increasing exodus of qualified
health workers from the continent. In the search for solutions, incentives must be created to retain
and reward them.
Social and Economic Development
As former heads of state and government, we have an ongoing responsibility to support
efforts that address poverty and stimulate sustainable social and economic growth. During this
gathering, we reviewed the initiatives, instruments and institutions essential for Africa’s economic
development and social well-being, with the understanding that the establishment of democratic
institutions at all levels of government is the best way to assure sustainable development. Rural
dislocation, environmental degradation and agricultural policies that lead to famine can best be
overcome by political systems that are responsive and accountable to their citizens. At the same
time, the international community must in our view make greater financial investments in human
and infrastructure development on the continent.
Greater efforts must be undertaken in partnership with the international community and
international financial institutions to improve food security and access to potable water. Special
attention must be paid to improving Africans’ access to the internet and other forms of communication that bind nations and individuals together in today’s global economy. We support
the promotion of trade and economic exchange within Africa and between Africa and the broader
international community in accordance with the NEPAD economic program. In addition, we
emphasize the need to invest much more in the continent’s educational institutions to train and
prepare the youth of today for the challenges of tomorrow. We note with special concern the
importance of extending educational opportunities to girls, who are more often than boys denied
access to primary and secondary schools.
We wish to express our gratitude to President Amadou Toumani Tourй and the Government
of Mali for helping to facilitate this meeting of the African Statesmen Initiative, and the Malian
people for their hospitality. We also express our thanks to the National Democratic Institute (NDI)
for supporting this initiative as well as other organizations that have contributed to this effort. They
are: the National Endowment for Democracy; the Club de Madrid; the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation; the United Nations Development Programme; the Government of Germany; the
Institute for Multiparty Democracy of the Netherlands; the Africa Center for Strategic Studies; the
Open Society Institute of West Africa; the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and USAID.
We also express our gratitude for the participation in this meeting of former Canadian Prime
Minister Kim Campbell and former Romanian Prime Minister Petre Roman, both Club de Madrid
members, and others who contributed to our deliberations.
Nicйphore Soglo, former President, Benin
Ketumile Masire, former President, Botswana
Antonio Mascarenhas Monteiro, former President, Cape Verde
Dawda Kairaba Jawara, former President, The Gambia
Jerry Rawlings, former President, Ghana
Amos Sawyer, former President, Liberia
Albert Zafy, former President, Madagascar
Joaquim Chissano, former President, Mozambique
Sam Nujoma, former President, Namibia
Mahamane Ousmane, former President, Niger
Yakubu Gowon, former President, Nigeria
Manuel Pinto da Costa, former President, Sao Tome and Principe
Miguel Trovoada, former President, Sao Tome and Principe
Al Sadig Al–Mahdi, former Prime Minister, Sudan
Ali Hassan Mwinyi, former President, Tanzania
|
Related documents
- 37Kb < 1min (4 pages)
