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Good morning. My title is Uzra Zeya and I’m the Below Secretary for Civilian Safety, Democracy, and Human Rights at the US Division of State. It’s my pleasure to be with you all nearly at the moment. I would prefer to thank our hosts, the Authorities of Botswana – together with President Masisi – and the Nationwide Democratic Institute, for inviting me to talk at this vital occasion, and Chargé d’Affaires Jacobsen for the nice and cozy introduction.
On the coronary heart of democracy lies the need of a rustic’s residents. Robust democracies are aware of constituents’ wants and priorities. Identical to in the US, public opinion surveys throughout the continent affirm that enormous majorities of Africans additionally need “common, open, and trustworthy elections” to find out their leaders. Elections are vital to democratic consolidation – and constitutionalism performs a vital position in facilitating them.
A dedication to constitutionalism can be central to the rules of the Summit for Democracy, the place, in late 2021, President Biden introduced collectively world leaders, civil society, and the personal sector to make concrete commitments to construct democratic resilience and counter authoritarianism globally.
The Summit served as a rallying name to bolster efforts to advance democracy as a type of authorities that displays the need of residents and may ship actual outcomes – transparently and accountably – and may restore religion within the democratic course of.
So we’re excited to be a part of at the moment’s dialogue in the course of the Summit’s 12 months of Motion, and to assist the Authorities of Botswana and its companions in advancing democratic rules all through Africa and globally.
On the Summit for Democracy, President Biden stated, “renewing our democracy and strengthening our democratic establishments requires fixed effort.” As a part of the worldwide group for democracy, the US is proud to assist at the moment’s convening and can proceed to again our companions’ efforts to deliver consideration to the significance of constitutional time period limits, as they’re key to democratic governance.
Everyone knows from public opinion analysis that constitutional phrases limits have widespread well-liked assist throughout Africa. Afrobarometer’s most up-to-date polling reveals that 76 % of Africans surveyed in 34 nations assist constitutional provisions limiting the presidency to 2 phrases.
We’re subsequently grateful to the Nationwide Democratic Institute and Authorities of Niger for first bringing this group collectively again in 2019, and for recognizing the broad well-liked assist for time period limits continent-wide. That dialogue galvanized awareness-raising campaigns, led by civil society, catalyzed broad assist for constitutional time period limits, and fostered collaboration between residents, journalists, and teachers. Since then, using social media as an awareness-raising instrument meant that these campaigns may attain a variety of residents and stakeholders around the globe and inspired them to have interaction on this vital dialog.
We sit up for seeing what additional improvements end result from this week’s discussions, as a part of our dedication to share concepts and be taught from one another to make our democracies higher.
Like different nations, we dedicated to bettering our democracy and dealing with others. I can guarantee you that the US is taking a whole-of-government method to advancing democracy by way of pledges of our personal. This consists of President Biden’s announcement of the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal, a landmark assortment of diplomatic and overseas help efforts to bolster democracy and defend human rights globally.
From defending journalists to combating corruption, supporting labor rights to connecting customers with the uncensored web, we’re working towards one central aim: a free and equitable world the place the human rights of all persons are upheld and revered.
Democracy, nevertheless, requires a whole-of-society effort. Civil society, media, activists, and human rights defenders on the entrance strains play an equally vital position in advancing democracy of their dwelling nations, as does the personal sector.
As a democratic group, we’re dedicated to elevating civil society partnerships by way of the creation of multistakeholder platforms. These assist and broaden alternatives for significant dialogue and collaboration amongst civil society representatives, personal sector leaders, philanthropic companions, and authorities decision-makers on points important to good governance and democratic renewal.
Along with our companions, we’re additionally bolstering engagement and outreach on the bottom and spotlighting leaders within the areas of racial fairness; labor; anticorruption; battle decision; gender fairness and equality; and respect for human rights, together with these of LGBTQI+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and indigenous individuals, amongst others.
And African management is crucial in our world effort to advance democracy and respect for human rights.
President of Ghana and present Chair of ECOWAS Nana Akufo-Addo has spoken out forcefully towards the latest spate of navy coups and different navy takeovers in West Africa and is urging regional leaders to face agency to guard democracy. Ghana additionally joined Norway in supporting the International Incapacity Discussion board.
In Nigeria, President Buhari signed the Electoral Modification Act to create situations without cost and honest elections in 2023, and reaffirming his dedication handy over energy when his most two-term tenure is full.
We sit up for working collectively to advance the Summit’s priorities and democratic rules globally.
To this finish, the US has devoted sources to advance the participation of girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, and individuals from marginalized and underserved communities in democratic establishments. This features a new initiative, the International LGBTQI+ Inclusive Democracy and Empowerment Fund, to handle a vital hole by facilitating the participation and management of LGBTQI+ group members in democratic establishments. The November 2021 Botswana Courtroom of Appeals resolution restoring to LGBTQI+ individuals their dignity, privateness and fairness acknowledges the significance of eradicating all obstacles to full participation in civic life and democratic establishments.
As you’ll hear later within the convention from our distinguished panel of girls Heads of State, full and lively political participation of girls is crucial to consolidating democratic positive aspects. We all know girls’s management in decision-making processes results in higher and extra sustainable outcomes–not just for girls, however for whole communities and nations.
As Vice President Kamala Harris reminded us, “The standing of girls is the standing of democracy.” As such, the US launched the Supporting Her Empowerment: Political Engagement, Rights, Security, and Inclusion Methods to Succeed initiative. This may assist girls’s political participation and empowerment to construct and maintain good governance and lasting democracy globally. It is a key part of the US’ Advancing Girls’s and Women’ Civic and Political Management Initiative, beneath which the US pledged as much as $33.5 million.
These are only a few of our initiatives to advance democratic renewal. We sit up for working with lots of our authorities and civil society companions right here at the moment on these guarantees.
Inclusive democracies are sturdy, resilient, and ship for residents. Illustration is a vital part. That is made evident by the numerous prestigious political leaders right here at the moment, who have been instrumental in entrenching democracy of their dwelling nations and proceed to advocate for clear and inclusive governance.
I do know the audio system, panelists, and researchers at this convening will present useful insights on constitutionalism and democratic consolidation all through this system. Know that your work reaches far past the boundaries of Gaborone and can undoubtedly impression nations throughout the continent and world. Thanks, and greatest needs for a profitable occasion.
Uzra Zeya, Below Secretary for Civilian Safety, Democracy, and Human Rights
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