The Platform for African Democrats held its third annual meeting in Angola on March 14, 2025, despite significant obstruction by the Angolan regime. The gathering focused on the importance of democracy in Africa and highlighted systemic efforts to suppress such discussions. It featured notable attendees, emphasized solidarity among democrats, and demonstrated resilience in the face of authoritarian tactics.
The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) convened its third annual meeting in Angola on March 14, 2025. Despite efforts by the Angolan regime to obstruct the gathering, the meeting emphasized the importance of democracy in enhancing African governance. Established in 2023, the PAD serves as a forum for sharing experiences and promoting best practices among African political parties.
Angola was selected for this meeting as it currently holds the Chair of the African Union (AU). Coinciding with the PAD event, the AU held its summit in Addis Ababa to transition authority to President João Lourenço, with the year’s theme focusing on “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The Benguela event sought to discuss the future of democracy in Africa, building on themes explored in previous PAD summits held in Gdansk and Cape Town.
The PAD event was supported by an international consortium, including The Brenthurst Foundation and the World Liberty Congress, and featured attendees such as former heads of state and leaders from civil society. Notable attendees included H.E. Ian Khama, former President of Botswana, and H.E. Moeketsi Majoro, former Prime Minister of Lesotho, among others.
In response to the meeting, the Angolan regime took several measures, such as denying visas to delegates from some countries, deporting others, and holding notable figures at the airport for extended periods without justification. This systematic obstruction was intended to undermine discussions about democracy, revealing the regime’s reluctance to support democratic initiatives.
The actions of the Angolan government illustrate a calculated effort to maintain authoritarian control while superficially presenting itself as a democracy. These tactics have only strengthened the resolve of African democrats, who condemn the regime’s actions and assert that the fight for democracy and accountability is paramount. They express solidarity among democrats in Africa and beyond, emphasizing that progress will continue despite such efforts to suppress it.
While the regime’s actions were an attempt to suppress dialogue, they ultimately highlighted the need for a renewed commitment to democracy across the continent. The struggle for democracy in Angola is emblematic of broader democratic efforts throughout Africa, encouraging unity and resistance against authoritarian practices.
The PAD’s summit in Angola underscored the critical need for democracy in Africa while exposing the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes. The actions taken by the Angolan government against delegates elicited widespread condemnation and reinforced the determination of African democrats to advocate for accountability and openness in governance. This experience serves both as a rallying point for solidarity among democrats and as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges facing democratic initiatives on the continent.
Original Source: www.thebrenthurstfoundation.org
