Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15 September 2016: Today, we mark the International Day of Democracy on the theme “Democracy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. We re-affirm our commitment, particularly, to the fulfilment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Sixteen, to among others things develop effective, accountable and transparent democratic institutions and ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

Similarly, we are equally committed to “Aspiration Three” of the African Union Agenda 2063 towards “an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”. It was in consideration of the above Aspiration that the African Union Heads of State declared 2016 as the African Year of Human Rights with Special Focus on the Rights of Women.

Globally speaking, democracy requires constant and relentless efforts. In view of this, we are strongly committed to addressing democratic challenges and supporting democracy as the system of governance that delivers to citizens and works for them. This is in line with the noble objectives of the African Agenda 2063 - the Africa We Want and the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy.

In conclusion, it is therefore our common interest to support and promote democracy and rules-based democratic governance, respect for human and peoples' rights, justice, solidarity, equality, non-discrimination and pluralism, as well as guarantee security and greater prosperity for the African continent. Africa’s commitment to entrenching a culture of democracy and respect for human rights is demonstrated by the declaration of this year as the Africa Year of Human Rights with Special Focus on the Rights of Women.

It is on this basis that we are calling on all the African Union Member States that have not ratified the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and the 2003 Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the Rights of Women, to swiftly do so and for those that have ratified them to implement the instruments accordingly. Meanwhile, we will continue to partner to make democracy deliver concrete results for all in Africa.

Gary Quince | Head of the European Union | Delegation to the African Union
Aisha Abdullahi | African Union | Commissioner for Political Affairs