A SHORT WELCOMING ADRESS BY H.E. MAALIM
SEIF SHARIF HAMAD THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CIVIC UNITED FRONT AND THE FIRST
VICE PRISIDENT OF ZANZIR AT THE AFRICA LIBERAL NETWORK GENERAL ASSEMBLY HELD AT
OCEAN PARIDISE RESORT ZANZIBAR, FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER 2013
Honourable Olivier Kamitatu, The Africa Liberal Network President
Honourable Professor Ibrahim Lipumba, The
Chaiman of The Civic United Front Party
Honourable Iain Gill from The Lib Dem
International Office and Westminister Foundation
Honourable General Assembly delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen
Let me
start by conveying to you all, the distinguished guests my warmest greetings
and good wishes for travelling from various locations in our Continent and
elsewhere in the world, to grace the General Assembly of Africa Liberal Network
by your presence here in Zanzibar .
May I, therefore take this great opportunity to welcome you all to the
beautiful and charming islands of Zanzibar .
You are most welcome and please spare some times to visit the beautiful scenery
of the Clove Islands ,
enjoy attractive historic sites and beautiful beaches, without forgetting to
visit the historical Stone
Town . In my language
Kiswahili, it is my privilege to say KARIBUNI SANA.
Secondly
allow me to take this opportunity to express my own and my Party’s appreciation
for the initiatives and decision by the organizers of this important General
Assembly OF The Africa Liberal Network for choosing Zanzibar as a venue for the
meeting and your decision to invite me to participate in this gathering of its
kind.
Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen
This
meeting is very crucial because I believe that the General Assembly will take
stock of the agenda, where Africa has reached in its path to achieve in
ensuring political and civil right, the rule of law, democratic governments
based on free and fair election with peaceful transition, gender balance,
religious tolerance and minority rights, as well as establishing free market
economies.
In many
African countries we witness sad stones where by election are rigged in favour
of ruling parties which have been in power since independence. Tanzania is one
of such countries. Because of unfairness in running election we have witnessed
violence before, during and post-election.
The
General Assembly of Africa Liberal Network should not ignore the conditions
where the voice of people is sometimes ignored and oppressive state instruments
of collision are used to maintain the status quo.
Liberal
parties throughout the world form a strong fraternity because of their believes
in upholding and strengthening liberal values where by every citizen should
feel and have the right to openly express his/her views, decide what is best
for him and pursue his/her ambitions and respect the right and the views of
others. Liberal Parties in Africa form a family that share same beliefs, code of
conduct and same aspirations. I believe we are here to assess ourselves as
Liberal parties and to assess the achievements and challenges that we face in
our respective countries.
I therefore
see the great urgency for the strong Africa Liberal Network that can support
the establishment of effective and legitimate electoral institutions and also
electoral frameworks. This ALN should also assists to institute reforms aimed
at lowering the stakes of elections, but with equal importance to improve the
socio-economic standing of the people and youths in particular.
The
growth in our continent is not sufficient to guarantee productive employment
for all. Large section of the population and particularly the young can be left
behind and become frustrated. Africa Liberal Network is the right institution
to enhance political and economic climate allowing the youths to express their
views and produce policy changes. Otherwise instability can result, as it
happened in number of North Africa
countries.
Let me
say that here in Zanzibar
our party has strong support. We are now in the Government of National Unity
which is a product of home grown solution to political conflicts that had
inflicted
Distinguished Guests Ladies and Gentlemen
Together,
let us all strive towards the Democratic and better life for the people of Africa .
I once
again well come you all in the Spice Islands of Zanzibar and feel at home.
I thank You.
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