Conference on democratic transition in Africa ends
The international conference on the impact of national conferences and democratic transition in Africa ended Wednesday with an appeal for securing the rule of the law and good governance.
The conference which called on African leaders to dismantle the private militia in the states where they exist, addressed a resolution to the UN Security Council and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) deploring the deadlock in the democratic process in the republic of Congo, which was seriously affected by the civil war.
In this regard, it urged the Congolese political class, civil society and government to search for a consensual solution to the crisis.
Participants also denounced the arbitrary arrest of the Guinean opponent, Alpha Conde, detained without trial since December 1998, and called for his release.
The Cotonou meeting, which commemorated the 10th anniversary of the national conference that ushered Benin's multiparty democracy, was attended by over 250 delegates, including former presidents of several African countries.
