Four African Freedom Activists Honored
Recipients chosen for efforts to establish, improve democracy in Africa
By Rachel J. King,Washington File Staff Writer, 29 June 2006

Washington -- Four African activists -- two men and two women -- were honored with the 2006 Democracy Award of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) on June 27 for their contributions to the advancement of democracy, human rights, gender equality, government transparency and free and fair elections in their homelands.

The NED has presented the Democracy Award nearly each year since 1987 to activists for outstanding achievements, both personal and on behalf of the organizations with which they work.  Honorees have demonstrated leadership in working toward democracy and good governance.

This year, all four recipients were selected from nations in sub-Saharan Africa, although in past years recipients also have come from Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe.  The 2006 recipients are Alfred Taban from Sudan, Reginald Matchaba-Hove from Zimbabwe, Zainab Hawa Bangura from Sierra Leone and Immacul=E9e Birhaheka from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They received their awards at the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

"Africa has been witness to more protracted conflicts than any region of the world," said NED Chairman Vin Weber.  "The individuals NED honors this year have demonstrated enormous personal courage and optimism, facing down brutal regimes and working in some of the most harrowing circumstances imaginable.  If democracy continues to advance in Africa, it will be due to the dedication of activists like these."

Taban, a publisher and chairman of Sudan's only independent English-language daily newspaper, the Khartoum Monitor, accepted the award on behalf of the "long-suffering" and "marginalized" people in Darfur.

"With this award, I am going to continue the struggle for a true democratic Sudan," he said.

Matchaba-Hove, chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network, has advocated for the provision of basic social services as well as for free and transparent elections in his country.The activist said the inspiration for his struggle for human rights was American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr.

Bangura, a chief civil affairs officer for the U.N. Mission in Liberia, said that it has been a long and frustrating journey toward democracy, but added "our voices have become louder," thanks to the continued effort.

She emphasized, however, that there is still much more to be done to establish democracy throughout Africa.

Birhaheka, president of Promotion and Support of Women's Initiatives -- an organization that she co-founded -- has worked to protect political prisoners and end massive rapes of women and girls in the DRC.  She said the award represents more than just an honor for her hard work, but also recognition that there is an international interest in the countries of Africa.

"I see it as an award to the Congolese people," she said.  "I also see it as an indication that the NED and the American people are ready to help the Congolese people in their difficult march to democracy."

"These awards recognize the courageous and creative works of these remarkable activists, who have advanced the cause and realized democracy in their homelands," said Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky.

PRESIDENT BUSH MEETS AWARD RECIPIENTS

Earlier that afternoon, the four honorees met with President Bush in the Oval Office, where they had what Bush called an "amazing" discussion on human rights and democratic principles.

"My spirits are enriched by talking to freedom lovers and freedom fighters," the president said.  "We've got a man from the Sudan who talked eloquently about free press.  We had a doctor from Zimbabwe who talked about the human condition and the need for the United States to make sure we stay engaged with the democracy movements and help people who are hungry."

Bush congratulated the recipients for their work in advancing democracy and said he was "proud to be in their company."

"I thank you for being witness to this universal fact that liberty is universal in its application, that people everywhere desire to be free" and that freedom ... belongs not just to American citizens, "freedom belongs to everybody.  And you're courageous in your fight and your desire to spread the concept of freedom," the president said.

The NED is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions. More information about NED is available on its Web site.