Stakeholders from around the world are calling for greater inclusion in governance, an approach they believe could transform the political landscape across Africa.
This call was made during the African Political Parties Summit, which convened representatives from over 30 countries to chart a new cause for political parties on the continent.
On the opening day of the three-day summit, held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, political leaders and party representatives gathered to explore how African parties can renew and redefine themselves to foster stronger regional integration and inclusive development.
Delivering an address, South Africa’s Special Envoy, Jeff Radebe, emphasized that Africa continues to grapple with a lack of political courage. He urged leaders to prioritize national interests over party loyalty.
“Citizens of Africa that we serve do not eat manifestos. They cannot build their futures on political promises that dissolve after elections. They are tired of leaders who speak of unity in public but sow divisions in private. Tired of policies that sound good in press releases but fail in practice. Tired of policies that consume resources but produce no tangible change,” he said.
Also, in attendance was Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas, President of the Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL), who warned against democratic backsliding and voiced strong support for the African Political Parties initiative, which seeks to consolidate democracy across the continent.
“Let us support the implementation of this initiative by African political parties. Let us support the initiative of President John Mahama. Because this initiative will be the historical inflection point for integration, strength, and the union of Africa, as has been said here.
Let us promote the political participation of young people. Let us promote women. And let us be clear that politicians must have a vision of the present and the future. But politicians are called to defend our peoples with character and determination,” he said.
Moreno Cárdenas also urged African nations to modernize governance by actively including women and youth in political processes.
“We must promote in our political parties the participation of young people and women, because that is the most important context, an inclusive one, where we listen and take steps toward transformation, growth, and development of our peoples.”
Ghana’s Vice President, Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, stressed that politics must deliver tangible outcomes such as security, justice, and food stability. She called on African countries to rise above narrow partisan interests for the greater good.
“They do not ask us to perform politics for its own sake. They deserve politics that translates into food security, decent jobs, functional schools, accessible healthcare, efficient infrastructure, security, and justice. They expect us to focus not just on the next election, but more importantly, on the next generation. Our theme challenges us to rise above narrow interests. It invites us to adopt the long view and to work together, even with our strongest opponents.”
In a move to strengthen global cooperation, the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and COPPPAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding, signaling a shared commitment to democratic values and inclusive governance.
