The Democracy Union of Africa (DUA) in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s (KAS) Regional Programme for Political Dialogue in Sub-Saharan Africa (PolDiSSA) held its annual forum in Nairobi, Kenya from the 26th to the 29th of October 2025. This year’s Forum was hosted by Kenyan DUA member parties the Kenya African National Union (KANU) and the Democratic Party (DP) under the theme “Navigating Africa's Strategic Position in a Multipolar World: Towards Equitable and Mutually Beneficial Partnerships.” Both parties demonstrated exceptional commitment and successfully leveraged the event to advance their political work at the national level.
DUA is an alliance of centre-right political parties and a platform for democratic consolidation in Africa. It is a member of the International Democracy Union (IDU) and maintains close ties with the European People’s Party (EPP). The Forum was attended by senior representatives of political parties from Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Namibia, Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, Liberia, Sweden, and a Member the European Parliament.
The Forum convened centre-right political actors and global partners to reflect on Africa’s shrinking democratic space, the mounting challenges facing democratic actors, and the continent’s evolving engagement with global partners. A major highlight was the participation of prominent international figures, including greetings from IDU Chairman Stephen Harper and former Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and a keynote address by Swedish MEP Jörgen Warborn (Chairman, SME Europe). The presence and participation of IDU Honorary Chairman Lord Ashcroft and IDU Secretary General Tina Mercep further underscored DUA’s growing importance within the IDU family.
Opening remarks by DUA Chairperson Louisa Atta-Agyemang, KAS PolDiSSA Director Dr. Holger Dix and others, emphasized that democracy in Africa is under significant pressure. Many democratic leaders continue to face intimidation, arrest, and the restriction on their freedoms. Examples highlighted included Tundu Lissu, John Heche, and other CHADEMA opposition party leadership in Tanzania; Kizza Besigye in Uganda, and numerous other democrats beyond the DUA network.
Participants expressed solidarity with these and other democrats who are imprisoned for their political activism cross the continent. These cases are emblematic of a much broader trend in which democracy is under siege. These developments underscored the urgency of protecting democratic institutions and ensuring fair, competitive elections across the continent. The emotional climax of the Forum was the reading of a handwritten letter from Tundu Lissu, smuggled from death row, which deeply moved attendees and reinforced the urgency of defending democracy.
Throughout the Forum, speakers underlined the importance of building balanced and respectful partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world, particularly Europe. Dr. Stefan Friedrich (KAS), Lord Ashcroft (IDU), and former DUA Chairman Peter Mac Manu challenged prevailing narratives of EU–Africa engagement and called for a shift toward cooperation grounded in mutual respect and shared interests.
Participants underscored that Africa’s solutions must be rooted in local realities, homegrown ideas, and consistent economic and governance policies. Stable institutions, transparent leadership, and predictable policy environments were presented as essential prerequisites for attracting investment and enabling long-term development.
Additionally, a key theme running throughout the Forum was the energy and importance of the youth in shaping Africa’s political future. While youth-led protests in countries such as Kenya and Madagascar demonstrate political engagement, participants expressed concern that street demonstrations often expose young people to considerable risk and can sometimes be counterproductive. Dr. Holger Dix stressed that youth energy would be more effective and safer if institutionally integrated into political processes. Political parties were therefore encouraged to reflect on why young people frequently pursue political aims outside formal party structures and to make themselves more attractive to younger generations.
A significant achievement of the Forum was the presentation of the new DUA statutes, which are expected to reduce conflicts that previously hindered the organisation’s work. Participants reaffirmed DUA’s value as a platform for advancing democratic principles, strengthening cooperation among centre-right parties, and expanding its network across Africa. The Forum reaffirmed that democracy remains the most viable system for good governance and the essential foundation for sustainable development, dignity, and self-determination.
The Forum concluded with a strong commitment to democratic renewal and collaboration among centre-right parties. Participants agreed that Africa’s democratic future depends on strong institutions, active and empowered citizens, accountable governance, and political parties that can respond to the aspirations of a predominantly young population.
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