FROM: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION MONTHLY DIGEST
AFRICA
Volume 1/Issue 3 – June 2003

EDITORIAL

Fatou Jagne

A year after its launch in July 2002, the African Union has been trying to develop its identity and an institutional and normative framework that will enable it to assert its power at the continental level and impact on international politics.
From 10 to 12 July 2003, African Heads of States and Governments will meet in Maputo, Mozambique, for the African Union Annual Summit. This meeting will be an opportunity to evaluate progress made so far and initiatives undertaken by member states in the implementation of fundamental principles provided for by the African Union Constitutive Act and other related instruments.
Today, Africa is facing two major challenges: on one hand, there is a negation of fundamental rights and values such as freedom of expression and opinion by many governments and on the other, we are witnessing the emergence of an African renaissance with the advent of the African Union and the New Economic Partnership for Africa Development that promotes among other things respect for fundamental rights and democratic principles.
Faced with these challenges, one would wonder how African governments will resolve to overcome these contradictions and reassure their people and the international community.
Despite their commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, progress made by African countries is very insignificant. Respect for fundamental rights, democratic values, pluralistic political views/opinion and press freedom are constantly challenged.
Over the last twelve months, the scene has been gloomy and has raised concerns from human rights defenders and journalists. The media continued to be subjected to serious threats in many parts of the continent. There have been an increasing number of legal actions against the media, closure of private and religious radio stations, the ban of newspapers and imprisonment of journalists.
(http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/freeafricanmedia)
Journalists have been regularly harassed, charged and sometimes condemned for threatening public order, national security, terrorist activities, publishing false news and for disclosure of sensitive or confidential information.
Despite appeals from human rights institutions, the African Union has not taken a position against these violations or intervened on behalf of the journalists who have been arbitrarily or illegally detained.
For the African Union to succeed in its mission, member states must commit themselves to respect fundamental rights in their respective countries and ensure participation of citizens, the media and civil society. The construction of a long term union requires a ‘social contract’ based on justice, equality and free flow of information, opinion and ideas.