Democrat Union of Africa

The Democrat Union of Africa is an alliance of centre-right political parties in Africa. Founded in Dakar, Senegal, in 1997, it is affiliated with the global International Democrat Union.[1] It aims to bring together parties with similar aims and political goals, such as the protection of democracy and individual liberty, from the whole of Africa, with its headquarters being found in Accra, Ghana.

Democrat Union of Africa
AbbreviationDUA
Formation1997
Founded atDakar, Senegal
Location
Region
Africa
Honorable Patron
H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Chairman
Ms. Louisa Atta-Agyemang and Rt. Hon. Freeman Mbowe
AffiliationsInternational Democrat Union

2019 Meeting in Accra, Ghana

A meeting of the Democrat Union of Africa occurred with the support of the IDU on 3–5 February 2019 in Accra, Ghana.[2] 17 parties from within the DUA were represented at this meeting.[3]

The Meeting was opened by the Secretary General of Ghana's New Patriotic Party, John Bouadu.[4] President of the Popular Democratic Movement, McHenry Venaani, was elected chairman of DUA at this meeting, and President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo took the role as Honorary Patron of the Democratic Union of Africa. The title was accepted for him on his behalf by Vice-President of Ghana, H:E Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.[5]

In an address to Ghanaian media at the meeting in Accra, IDU Secretary General Christian Kattner said that, ‘we need a strong Democrat Union of Africa offering a sustainable network for political parties on the African continent, fighting together for freedom and democracy in order to ensure a better life of all people of Africa.’[6]

Interim Steering Committee

The Interim Steering Committee was elected at the Meeting in Accra in February 2019. The results of the election are as follows;[7]

  • Co-Chairpersons: Mr McHenry Venaani, Leader of the Opposition and President of the Popular Democratic Movement of Namibia
  • Vice-Chairman for North Africa: Mr. Rahhal El Makkaoui, Member of the Executive Committee in Charge of International Relations, Istiqlal Party, Morocco
  • Vice-Chairman for East Africa: Mrs. Ingrid Turinawe Kamateneti, Secretary for Mobilization, Forum for Democratic Change, Uganda
  • Vice Chairman for West Africa: Mr. John Boadu, Secretary General, New Patriotic Party, Ghana
  • Representative: Mrs. Linette Olofsson, Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Democratic Movement, Mozambique, for women and for the Portuguese-speaking communities of Africa
  • Representative: Mrs. N’guessan Edwidge Wassa Aamoin, Parti Democratique, Côte d`Ivoire, for youth and the French-speaking communities of Africa

Member parties

Full Members
Country Party Abbr Color Upper house legislative seats Lower house legislative seats Status
 Angola National Union for the Total Independence of Angola UNITA Red and Green Unicameral legislature only
51 / 220
 In opposition
 Côte d'Ivoire Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire – African Democratic Rally PDCI-RDA Green Unicameral legislature only
77 / 255
 Junior party in government coalition
 Equatorial Guinea Union of the Centre-Right UCD Blue
0 / 70
0 / 100
 Extra-parliamentary opposition
 Ghana New Patriotic Party NPP Red, Blue, and White Unicameral legislature only
137 / 275
 In government
 Kenya Democratic Party DP Green, Orange
1 / 67
1 / 349
 Extra-parliamentary opposition
Kenya Africa National Union KANU Black, Red and Green
3 / 67
10 / 349
 In opposition
 Lesotho Basotho National Party BNP Blue, White, Red, and Green Senate members are tribal leaders or appointees
5 / 120
 In opposition
 Liberia Unity Party UP Green and Maroon
10 / 30
25 / 73
 In opposition
 Malawi Malawi Congress Party MCP Black, Red, and Green Unicameral legislature only
49 / 193
 In government
People's Party PP Orange, Black & White Unicameral legislature only
26 / 193
 In opposition
 Morocco Istiqlal Party Istiqlal Mauve, Pink
17 / 120
81 / 395
 In government
 Mozambique Mozambican National Resistance RENAMO Black, Red, Blue, White Unicameral legislature only
89 / 250
 In opposition
 Namibia Popular Democratic Movement PDM Blue, White and Red
1 / 42
5 / 104
 In opposition
 Nigeria People's Democratic Party PDP Green, White and Red
48 / 109
157 / 360
 In opposition
 Seychelles New Democratic Party NDP Blue Unicameral legislature only
0 / 31
 Extra-parliamentary opposition
 Sierra Leone Sierra Leone People's Party SLPP Green Unicameral legislature only
43 / 112
 In government
 South Africa African Christian Democratic Party ACDP Red and Blue
1 / 430
3 / 400
 In opposition
Inkatha Freedom Party IFP Red, White, Black, Green, and Yellow
2 / 90
14 / 400
 In opposition
 Tanzania Party for Democracy and Progress CHADEMA Red, Blue, and White Unicameral legislature only
49 / 353
 In opposition
 Uganda Democratic Party DP Green Unicameral legislature only
12 / 375
 In opposition
Forum for Democratic Change FDC Blue Unicameral legislature only
34 / 375
 In opposition

Observer members
Country Party Abbr Color Upper house legislative seats Lower house legislative seats Status
 Sierra Leone People's Movement for Democratic Change PMDC Green, Orange Unicameral legislature only
0 / 112
 Extra-parliamentary opposition

Footnotes
  1. Burnell, Peter J. (2006). Globalizing Democracy: Party Politics in Emerging Democracies. London: Taylor & Francis. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-415-40184-5.
  2. "International Democrat Union on Instagram: "Democrat Union of Africa Meeting 2019 #DUA2019"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  3. "International Democrat Union on Instagram: "The #DUA2019 delegation met today with the Vice-President of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia @mbawumia at the Jubilee House. The Vice-…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  4. "International Democrat Union on Instagram: "New Patriotic Party Secretary General John Bouadu opening the first evening of the meeting of Democrat Union of Africa in Accra, Ghana…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  5. "International Democrat Union on Instagram: "The #DUA2019 delegation met today with the Vice-President of Ghana, H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia @mbawumia at the Jubilee House. The Vice-…"". Instagram. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  6. "International Democrat Union on Instagram: "IDU Secretary General Christian Kattner addressing the Ghanaian media about rebuilding a political centre-right alliance in Africa: "We…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  7. "Statement on the Re-establishment of the Democrat Union of Africa | International Democrat Union". Retrieved 2019-02-19.
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