However, Africa's democratic sustainability is threatened by a lack of respect for human rights, intolerance, unconstitutional changes of governments, unconstitutional means to stay in power, dictatorship, and the growing distance between governments and the people. Africa is still faced with armed conflict, undemocratic governments, suppression of civil and political rights and human rights abuses. People in Africa are still trapped in poverty, disease, underdevelopment and lack of basic services. This impacts on the future sustainability of development in Africa. Africa needs bold leadership to steer it out of its pessimism towards optimism.
The 26th Ordinary Session in Ethiopia endorsed the AU involvement in the democratisation process through the adoption of political, social and economic conditions in Africa. In the same vein, the African Charter for Popular Participation in Developmental and Transformation was adopted to ensure popular participation in consolidating democracy.
The AU needs to strengthen the role of the African Commissioner on Human and Peoples' Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights because these are the necessary institutions that ensure, the indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights.
The AU needs to ensure that each member state establishes this institution to ensure legitimately, independence and separation of powers.
The declaration of political, social and economic rights is essential for Africa's sustainability. Without these rights, conflict will remain the biggest enemy to Africa's development. Strengthening the AU and its institutions; implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development, Nepad, programmes for economic development, and ensuring peace, security and stability will allow Africa to rise to its full potential.
Good governance should be supported by promoting the African Peer Review Mechanism, through ensuring that all AU member parties are on the same track with regard to development and responsiveness. Tolerance, good governance, the rule of law and democracy are shared values for Africa's renewal.
The African Charter on Civil and Political Rights, in Article l3(l), provides that every citizen will have the right to participate freely in the government of his country in accordance with the provisions of the law. This is important in ensuring that people's freedom of choice and association are protected. It is for this reason that the African Liberal Network, ALN, was established in June 2003, which is a group of 35 parties from 25 African countries with the primary objective of promoting and protecting the freedom and dignity of all people by campaigning for political and civil rights; protecting basic freedoms; defending the rule of law; ensuring democratic governance, based on free and fair elections with a peaceful transition; standing up for religious, gender and minority rights, fighting corruption and free market economies.
The ALN believes that Africa's potential and long-term development can only be assured when political and civil rights are secured. The ALN adopted a Pan-African manifesto which, amongst others, recognises the separation of powers, the devolution of power, regular elections, conflict resolution, good governance, the rule of law, economic and trade relations, and human rights.
The ALN is proud of its sister party, the Rally of Republicans, RDR, in Ivory Coast under President Ouattara, who is doing a good job in changing the lives of the people through liberal policies and principles. The ALN is tirelessly making sure human rights in Africa are protected and promoted.
In conclusion, the challenges to shared values in Africa are compliance and implementation, capacity, resources, duplication and a lack of collective responsibility to ensure greater impact.
The pace of ratification of instruments and the ability of the organs to deliver on the responsibilities entrusted on them is the biggest challenge to Africa's shared values. Africa needs to stop being reactive and be proactive by implementing innovative solutions to its challenges, and have adequate early warning systems to deal with potential conflicts early and quickly enough. The only solution to the emancipation of Africa is through education.
Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance are an opportunity for Africa to protect and promote human and peoples' rights and to recognise civil and political rights.
Let Africa rise and prove pessimists wrong by taking charge of its destiny in a responsible manner. I thank you. [Applause.]