Yiaga Africa, in collaboration with AfricTivistes and supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), hosted the “Building Solidarity” Conference in Dakar, Senegal from July 8 to 9. The event which brought together over 30 leaders and representatives from civil society organizations, pressure groups, and international donors across 19 African countries, aimed to foster a unified response to the increasing challenges of democratic backsliding, political repression, and shrinking civic spaces on the continent.
At the opening ceremony, Yiaga Africa’s Executive Director, Samson Itodo highlighted the urgent need for solidarity action to protect democratic values in Africa. He emphasized the vital role of activists and civil societies in holding governments accountable and promoting transparency, calling the conference a crucial step towards reinforcing democratic governance.
“We at Yiaga Africa seek to bring activists and leaders of civic organizations together, to discuss and explore new ways of strengthening solidarity in movements because solidarity is one of the powerful tools that we have as activists, to push back on democratic backsliding, political repression, and the attack of human rights that we experience across the continent.
“In today’s Africa, journalists are being arrested and detained, activists are dehumanized and marginalized and that is a problem that we have to deal with. For activists and civic organizations, there’s a great need to rethink how you express solidarity,” he added.
The first day included a plenary session on “New Expressions of Solidarity,” which reflected on the state of solidarity in Africa especially among social movements, activists, and CSO leaders. It also highlighted practical cases of solidarity initiatives in the region, with the speakers drawing lessons from recent protests and transitions in Senegal, Guinea, and Togo where they identified challenges and opportunities for solidarity on the continent.
For example, Aisha Dabo of AfricTivistes discussed the dynamics of grassroots movements in Senegal. She highlighted the resistance against President Macky Sall’s potential third term under the movement ‘Jamm A Gen 3 Mandat.’ Dabo stressed the importance of establishing new platforms to sustain solidarity efforts, especially in politically repressive environments.
Professor David Ekoué Dosseh, coordinator of Tournons La Page (TLP) Togo, emphasized the significance of international solidarity for pro-democracy movements, particularly in countries with restricted civic spaces like Togo. He further pointed out the role of regional networks like WADEMOS in supporting local struggles and amplifying calls for democratic reforms. Dosseh’s insights highlighted the necessity of cross-border alliances in advocating for democracy.
Also, participants engaged in group discussions on topics such as “Obstacles to the Practice of Solidarity in African Social Movements,” “Key Principles of Solidarity,” and “New Opportunities for Building Solidarity in Africa.” These discussions aimed to outline the challenges and opportunities for solidarity among African CSOs and to propose strategies for enhancing cooperation and support.
The second day featured roundtable discussions on “New Forms of Civic Activism” and “Managing Transitions in Movements.” These sessions provided an opportunity for participants to explore innovative approaches to activism, including the maximization of digital tools and social media for mobilization and advocacy. Participants also discussed the intricacies of leadership transitions within movements while stressing the importance of sustainable structures for continued resilience.
The conference concluded with a unanimous recommendation from participants for an African Solidarity Agreement, which aims to provide a framework for coordinated action among CSOs. This agreement is conceived as a critical tool for enabling collective responses to threats against democracy and human rights. The participants further called for a renewed commitment to solidarity, emphasizing that united action is essential in the face of democratic regression.
Reaffirming Yiaga Africa’s dedication to empowering civil society and promoting a culture of solidarity across the continent, Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu stressed that the “Building Solidarity” Conference is a reflection of the strength and resilience of African civil society, united in their pursuit of democratic governance and human rights.
As the conference drew to a close, participants departed with a resolution to continue their work, equipped with new strategies and a valuable network of allies, ready to support and strengthen civil society organizations across Africa.
