The Platform for African Democrats held its third annual meeting in Angola on March 14, 2025, despite significant opposition from the Angolan government. Efforts to impede attendance included visa denials and detention of delegates. The incident exposed the authoritarian nature of the Angolan regime, prompting a strong condemnation from attendees and reinforcing the necessity for democratic solidarity across Africa.
The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) convened its third annual meeting in Angola on March 14, 2025, amidst significant opposition from the Angolan government. Established in 2023, the PAD aims to enhance the effectiveness of African political parties by exchanging experiences and implementing best practices for electoral integrity and political accountability. As Angola serves as the current Chair of the African Union (AU), the choice of location was significant.
The event, themed “The Future of Democracy in Africa,” follows previous summits in Gdansk, Poland, and Cape Town, South Africa, where discussions focused on enhancing democratic accountability against rising authoritarianism. The PAD’s initiative was supported by an international coalition, including The Brenthurst Foundation. The meeting brought together former heads of state and various civil society leaders, including prominent figures like former Presidents Ian Khama and Andrés Pastrana.
In response to the gathering, the Angolan regime enacted several measures to hinder participation: 1) Visas for multiple delegates were denied on unspecified ‘technical reasons.’ 2) Twelve delegates, despite having valid documents, were detained and subsequently deported. 3) Key leader attendees were held at the airport for extended periods and ultimately missed the meeting.
The Angolan government claimed it would arrange transportation for delegates, but logistical failures ensued, leading to no available aircraft. These actions highlight an orchestrated effort by the regime to disrupt democratic discourse, revealing its authoritarian tendencies despite claiming to uphold democratic values.
The collective of attendees condemned the Angolan government’s actions, urging President Lourenço to extend a public apology to those affected. The incident instead galvanized African democrats and demonstrated the resilience of those committed to democracy. It underscored the ongoing struggle against ‘authoritarian democracies’ exploiting their power to impede progress and maintain control over their citizens.
As corroborated by events in both Luanda and Benguela, the fight for democracy and accountability remains a significant challenge across the continent. The solidarity formed through such adversities provides a renewed vigor for advancing democratic ideals throughout Africa.
The events surrounding the PAD meeting in Angola serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by democratic movements in Africa. Despite attempts by the Angolan regime to suppress dialogue on democracy, the experience has strengthened the resolve of African democrats and highlighted the crucial need for unity in their pursuit of open societies. The actions taken by President Lourenço illustrate the extent to which authoritarian regimes will go to preserve power, yet they also reveal the growing resistance against such oppression.
Original Source: www.thebrenthurstfoundation.org
