Mao elected Secretary General of African Political Parties Body

By Angela Nyakuni

Democratic Party President Norbert Mao has been elected Secretary General of the Democrat Union of Africa (DUA). The election took place during the organization’s General Meeting which was held virtually via Zoom. The meeting attracted participants from Centre right political parties from across Africa and was addressed by Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo who is the organization’s Patron. Hon. Tundu Lissu, the flagbearer of Tanzanian opposition party CHADEMA in the ongoing elections also addressed the meeting.

Namibian Leader of Opposition Rt. Hon. McHenry Venaani was elected Chairman and he is deputized by Hon. John Boadu, the Secretary General of Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). Hon. Narend Singh from South Africa’s Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) was elected Treasurer. Four Regional Vice Presidents were also elected. These are Hon. Nick Salat from Kenya (KANU), Dr. Elias Chakwera from Malawi (Malawi Congress Party), Dr. Agbo Emmanuel from Nigeria (Peoples Democratic Party) and Hon. Rahhal El Makkaoui from Morocco (Independence Party/Hizb al-Istiqlal/Parti de l’Indépendance)

Mao will serve for three years alongside these other elected officials.

The Democrat Union of Africa (DUA) is an association of democratic parties in Africa and like-minded political parties of the centre and centre right. Founded in Dakar, Senegal, in 1997, it is affiliated to the global International Democrat Union (IDU). DUA provides a forum in which parties holding similar beliefs can come together and exchange views on matters of policy and organizational interest, so that they can learn from each other, act together, establish contacts and speak with one strong voice to promote democracy and centre, centre-right policies around Africa. DUA was formed with a belief that democratic society provides individuals with conditions for political liberty, personal freedom and equality of opportunity under the rule of law. Therefore DUA promotes a culture of pluralistic competition, enterprise and socially oriented market economy.