Respect human rights and democracy, African countries urged

Over ten countries participating in the Democracy Union of Africa (DUA) forum have condemned the continuous detention of opposition leaders in Tanzania and Uganda, saying that human rights and the rule of law must be respected.

DUA Chairperson, Louisa Atta-Agyemang, on Tuesday  said that an attack on one opposition leader is an attack on all people, insisting that Tundu Lissu’s detention in Tanzania and the continued repression of Uganda’s Kizza Besigye are undemocratic acts that should not be allowed to thrive.

“There is no justice and civil liberties when opposition voices are jailed, when dissent is criminalized and when court rulings are ignored. Now, I call on the Governments of Tanzania and Uganda to uphold the rule of law, respect human rights, and release all those detained. Across Africa, state machinery is being weaponized against those who dare speak the truth to power,” she said.

Louisa insisted that opposition parties are not enemies of the state but are essential to the democratic space.

She was speaking during the 2025 DUA forum held in a Nairobi hotel, hosted by Kenya African National Union (KANU) National Chairman, Gideon Moi, while former Ghana President Nana Akufo-Addo was the keynote speaker and special guest of honor.

During the forum, the late former President Daniel Moi, Lissu, and Besigye were among leaders honored with the Akufo-Addo Africa Democracy Award.

The former President was awarded in recognition of a lifetime dedication to education, public service, and continental unity.

He was also recognized for his efforts to expand access to education, environmental management, and, beyond Kenya, his commitment as a pan-Africanist who helped strengthen regional cooperation and was a key figure in East African diplomacy.

Lissu and Besigye sent representatives to receive the award, even as they urged Africans to continue pushing for democracy and the rule of law.

The KANU National Chairperson said the DUA Forum has evolved into one of Africa’s most consequential spaces for dialogue and collaboration, where noble ideas converge, continental partnerships are forged, and the pathway for Africa’s democratic and economic renewal is carved.

He said the DUA Forum is a gathering of conviction, of purpose, and of shared ideals about the future countries want for the continent.

“The world is no longer defined by a single dominant power but by many centers of influence. In this multipolar reality, Africa must not be a spectator, but a strategic player by asserting its interests, redefining its partnerships, and shaping the terms of its engagement,” Moi said.

He called for the need to pursue cooperation that is equitable, partnerships that are mutually beneficial, and alliances that respect the sovereignty and aspirations of African nations.

“We meet here today at a time of great change and, admittedly, great uncertainty. Across the world, we are witnessing the rise of radical populism that exploits division, the resurgence of extreme nationalism that thrives on fear, and the erosion of democratic values that once bound nations together,” he said.

He said the current moment presents an extraordinary opportunity for center-right movements to demonstrate that democracy, liberty, and economic prosperity are not competing ideals but complementary pillars of a just society.

“At its heart, the center-right philosophy is about balance — between freedom and responsibility, between the market and the state, between individual ambition and collective well-being… It is about building bridges, not walls; creating opportunity, not dependency; and advancing prosperity that leaves no one behind,” he insisted.

When KANU formally joined the Democracy Union of Africa, and by extension, the International Democracy Union, Moi said they did so with a deep conviction that Africa’s destiny lies in open societies, strong institutions, and market-driven economies anchored on individual liberty and national unity.

“That is why we are immensely proud and deeply honored that DUA chose Nairobi to host this year’s Forum. On behalf of KANU and the people of Kenya, allow me to express our profound gratitude to the Chairperson and your able team for this vote of confidence,” Moi stated.

During the four-day forum, he called for the need to reimagine countries’ position as a continent in a multipolar world, build alliances that advance collective interests, partnerships that invest in the people, cooperation that values resources, and relations that empower local institutions.

To claim its rightful place, he emphasized that Africa must move from a beneficiary of global goodwill to a co-architect of global progress.

“Our deliberations must not end within these walls. For all the eloquent speeches and well-crafted resolutions, what matters most is what we do after this forum — the practical steps we take to translate our shared values into visible action,” he said.

He added: “Let this not be just another conference of ideas, but a launchpad for implementation, where discussions evolve into policy, and policy into transformation that our citizens can touch, feel, and live.”

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Justin Muturi, whose Democratic Party was also a key participant in the forum, said there is need to strengthen Africa’s collective voice through cross-border political collaboration.

“There is urgent need for African political parties to rise above national boundaries and forge strong, issue-based partnerships that amplify Africa’s collective voice in global negotiations, particularly with Europe,” he said.

Muturi also emphasized that unity, not uniformity, must guide Africa’s path, saying that when political parties collaborate across borders, they can harmonize policies, share democratic experiences, and negotiate from a position of strength and mutual respect.

He proposed the establishment of a Permanent Africa–Europe Dialogue Platform to align governance, trade, and security priorities, as well as the creation of a DUA Policy Institute to generate research-driven African perspectives on trade justice, digital transformation, and sustainable investment.

Other proposals he made included the promotion of regional integration through political cooperation to harmonize policies and strengthen collective bargaining power, and youth and women empowerment as active architects of policy and leadership at both national and continental levels.

“There is need for countries’ commitment to mutual respect, transparency, sustainability, and sovereignty as the foundation of Africa–Europe relations. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that when Africa speaks, it speaks as one — clear, confident, and united,” he insisted.

On his part, Addo said democracy remains a master key in Africa.

He challenged countries to commit to constitutional rules, with periodic free and fair elections, independent judiciary, free media, and professional security services, saying they are the bedrock of stability and investment.

He led the forum to a moment of silence in honor of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and, together with Moi and other leaders, he is expected to visit his Bondo home.

Participating countries included Ghana, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Morocco, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Nigeria, among others.