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Washington DC, Wednesday, December 14, 2022. In the “Cabinet Room” from the White House, US President Jo Biden met, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon; President George Manneh Weah of Liberia; President Andry Nirina Rajoelina of Madagascar; President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone. It was to discuss the next elections of their respective countries, in 2023, in this critical period for democracy in the world. President Biden reflected on the recent midterm elections, noting that the strength and resilience of American democracy was reaffirmed in the process, and he reinforced the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to working collectively to renew and defend democracy in the United States and abroad. Although elections themselves are not synonymous with democracy, President Biden stressed that “the holding of elections is fundamental for a functioning democracy”.
* The “Cabinet Room” is the room of the White House where the cabinet of the United States, composed of the American President, his secretaries and some of his principal advisers, meets. It is also used for other presidential meetings including the reception of foreign delegations (Wikipedia).
Together, the leaders discussed the challenges of holding elections and exercising the right to vote, including foreign interference and political violence. They focused on best practices in how to manage these risks in order to ensure transparency and public confidence in the electoral process. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to organize free, fair and transparent elections conducted by competent, independent and impartial national electoral bodies, as provided for in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
Elections in Africa in 2023 will be significant. Although the United States does not support any specific candidate or party, the United States is committed to supporting electoral processes to deepen democracy in Africa. In collaboration with Congress, the United States plans to provide more than $165 million to support elections and good governance in Africa in 2023. Recall that the United States has provided nearly $50 million to support the society civil and electoral commissions in Nigeria and the DRC.
Translation: Jeannot Ramambazafy
Source: White House, Washington DC, DRC