Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and several notable world leaders are set to deliver keynote addresses at the upcoming
Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa. Scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, the event will take place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
The summit, a collaborative effort between the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, is supported by the Ford Foundation and Trust Africa.
According to a statement released by the organizers on Sunday, May 19, the summit will serve as a high-profile forum to evaluate and discuss the challenges and opportunities for democratic governance across the continent.
Taking place against a backdrop of significant political changes, including a recent surge in military coups, the summit aims to address pressing threats to fragile democratic processes in various African countries.
The event will feature a series of engaging discussions, with keynote speeches from distinguished leaders, including H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo and Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Additionally, Mr. Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, will deliver special remarks on the pivotal role of civic engagement in bolstering democratic institutions.
The summit will cover a range of critical topics, including the achievements and challenges of the current democratic landscape in Africa, the impact of military coups on democratic integrity, and the exploration of alternative democratic models that reflect Africa’s historical and cultural contexts.
Insights will also be drawn from Afrobarometer surveys on citizen sentiments and perceptions of democracy, as well as strategies for strengthening democratic resilience against both external and internal threats.
The summit seeks to foster constructive dialogue among African leaders, policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives.
The goal is to enhance understanding of Africa’s democratic state, promote intercontinental collaboration for sustainable governance, and develop actionable strategies to tackle challenges to democracy and governance on the continent.
The event is anticipated to attract a diverse audience, including government officials, civil society leaders, scholars, and the public, all of whom are stakeholders in the future of democratic governance in Africa.
