Africa democracy summit opens with spotlight on free and fair elections

By James Kunda

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) — The second global annual democracy summit, being co-hosted by five countries, opened on Wednesday with political conflict in Africa highlighted as one of the focal points in need of global attention.

The two-day virtual summit is being co-hosted by the US, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea and Zambia under the theme: Free, fair and transparent elections as the foundation of democratic governance.

In his opening remarks, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema said there was need for strong leadership and institutions of governance around the world to cement democracy.

"We should ask ourselves: what is it that we need? Strong leaders or strong institutions? Or both?" Hichilema said, adding that electoral conflicts were a deterrent to the democratic gains made by states post colonial rule.

As physical sessions are held in each of the hosting nations, 22 African states are following proceedings on the ground in the Zambian capital Lusaka.

They will participate in side engagements during the summit as they seek a collective ideal on cementing democracy on the continent.

Discussions will include a call to address challenges such as post election disputes which lead to conflict and subsequently fuel illegal migration.

"We should continue nursing democracy," Hichilema said, citing that his country had held seven successful changes of government and power transitions in elections held in its more than five decades of independence.