NDI
Holds Meeting in Mali on African Presidential Transition
BBC News, June 3, 2005
With the advance of democracy in Africa,
African leaders who abide by their respective constitutions
have to deal with the reality of leaving office once their
terms expire. There is currently a strong debate throughout
the continent on what societal role these leaders should play
as former statesmen. With this question in mind, the National
Democratic Institute brought together more than 20 former
African heads of state in Bamako, Mali for an inaugural symposium
on leadership and democratization entitled “African
Statesman Initiative” from June 5-8.
This symposium
is aimed at promoting democracy and democratic transition
in Africa. According to NDI, a significant number of “…African
presidents cling to power beyond constitutionally and democratically
tolerable limits, in part because life after the presidency
is seen to offer little in comparison to the riches, stature
and security of being power.” Notable attendees for
the symposium include former Presidents Jerry Rawlings (Ghana)
and Sam Njoma (Namibia) as well as Club of Madrid member Kim
Campbell (former Prime Minister of Canada) and international
expert Jeffery Sachs of the Earth Institute at Columbia University.
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