Communiqué  Posté le 10:12 22-06-2023, modifié le 10:12 22-06-2023 par Tournons La Page

At a time when the world is facing a resurgence of major challenges in terms of sustainable development, carbon neutrality and biodiversity protection, it is clear that the current Global Financial Pact is insufficient to meet them. It is urgent to put democracy back at the heart of global concerns, without which the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved. On June 22 and 23, 2023, a "Summit for a New Global Financial Pact" will be held in Paris, a French initiative organized by President Emmanuel Macron, in particular to promote the achievement of the SDGs.

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This international summit will be attended by numerous heads of state and government, including Gabonese President Ali BONGO ONDIMBA, Congolese President Denis SASSOU NGUESSO and Cameroonian President Paul BIYA. These three African heads of state, symbols of authoritarian regimes, remain in power in Africa thanks to a fully assumed policy of denying democracy and undermining the rule of law: record longevity in power, manipulated constitutions, rigged elections, human rights flouted, police violence, opponents imprisoned, justice instrumentalized, pro-democracy activists threatened, communications cut off, media muzzled, demonstrations and meetings banned and repressed, etc.

Africa is the continent most affected by the lack of open and inclusive political systems.

Over the last fifteen years, less than half (41%) of the 44 sub-Saharan presidential regimes have experienced democratic alternation, with a change of ruling party following elections. As a result, out of 55 African states, only 18 can be considered democracies. A barely concealed collusion between political powers and multinationals enables them to enrich themselves at the expense of the population, deprived of basic social services such as access to education, health, water or electricity...

This system of predation poses a threat of social explosion and state bankruptcy. The result is post-electoral political crises and even armed conflict. Military coups or conflicts have followed one another in West Africa, the Sahel and Central Africa (Mali in August 2020 and May 2021, Chad in April 2021, Guinea in September 2021, Sudan in October 2021 and April 2023, Burkina Faso in January 2022).

To date, financial commitments and debt cancellations from third countries or international institutions to support development and security on the African continent have largely failed.

It has to be said that, in addition to the democratic deficit and poor governance exacerbated in many African countries, particularly French-speaking ones, Africa is also hard hit by a protean crisis: socio-political, security, food, health, economic, migratory, climatic, etc. There is a clear systemic link between the absence of democracy, peace and poor development. There is a clear systemic link between the absence of democracy, peace and poor development.

The establishment of true democracies in Africa would give real hope to a population, and especially to young people, who have no future under the current authoritarian regimes. The time has come to turn the page on authoritarian regimes, to promote democracy and guarantee social stability, as well as the fulfillment of populations, in relations and cooperation, particularly financial, between African states and the international community.

There is an urgent need in this "New Global Financial Pact" for the signatory states and international institutions to renew their commitments to democracy, respect for constitutional principles on presidential term limits and the rule of law, equality of all before the law and the opening up of civic space.

It is only in a fully democratic environment that African governments and citizens will be able to achieve the MDGs and meet challenges such as: youth employment, health, education, food security, carbon neutrality, peace, security, economic development, the fight against over-indebtedness, sound management of public funds and the protection of biodiversity.

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Signatories:

• Coalition Tournons La Page Congo
• Coalition Tournons La Page Europe
• Coalition Tournons La Page Gabon
• Association des Amis du Droit (ADD)
• Le Cercle des droits de l'Homme et de développement (CDHD)