Welcoming Speech of First Vice President - THE AFRICA LIBERAL NETWORK GENERAL ASSEMBLY -Zanzibar 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 CloveIslands, 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.

Africa has also witnessed what has been termed as Arab Spring, where the youth have come out in masses to remove oppressive regimes.Africa has to learn from those experiences. The lesson should be that we need to build strong institutions, hold free, fair and transparent election, institute rule of law and good governance, protect human and civic right and the voice of people be heard and respected.

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 Africacountries.  

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.