21 November 2024

The abduction of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan liberation figure and opposition leader, from Nairobi and his subsequent detention in Uganda this week is profoundly shocking. 

Dr. Besigye, a well-known and respected human rights advocate, has dedicated his life to advancing justice and freedom. His abduction and subsequent detention is a brazen violation of international law and human rights.

What is particularly concerning is that the rendition of Dr Besigye could only have taken place with the active or passive support and involvement of Kenya’s security forces, calling into question that country’s commitment to an open society.

We call on Uganda's government for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Kizza Besigye. We demand that his family and his lawyers be given immediate access to him.

We request that the African Union, regional bodies, and the international community make similar calls for Dr Besigye’s immediate release. Their failure to do so places them firmly on the side of authoritarians and puts states and interests not people first in international relations.

Africa will never reach its true potential so long as such brazen violations of fundamental human rights occur. The apparent complicity between two neighbouring states indicates a worrying culture of growing authoritarianism which must be opposed.

The Platform for African Democrats (PAD) is a forum for debate and discussion on how to defend advance and protect democratic ideals in Africa.

This petition is supported by the following: 

1.           HE Andrés Pastrana, former President: Colombia

2.           HE Martín Torrijos, former President: Panama

3.           HE Moeketsi Majoro, former Prime Minister: Kingdom of Lesotho

4.           HE Viktor Yushchenko, former President: Ukraine

5.           Abbasali Haji, MD East Africa Capital, Tanzania

6.           Adalberto Costa, President: UNITA, Angola

7.           Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, CEO: Fikra for Studies and Development, Sudan

8.           Atupele Muluzi, President: United Democratic Front, Malawi

9.           Branko Brkic, Former Editor: Daily Maverick, South Africa

10.     Choolwe Chibomba, United Party for National Development, Zambia

11.     David Coltart, Mayor: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

12.     Dianna Games, CEO: Africa@Work, South Africa

13.     Edwin Sifuna, Senator: Nairobi County, Kenya

14.     Eerik Niles-Kross, Member of Parliament: Estonian Reform Party

15.     Erastus Mwencha, former Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Kenya

16.     Gladys Hlatywayo, Citizens Coalition for Change, Zimbabwe

17.     Gloria Uwishema Nsengiyumva, Human Rights Activist, Rwanda

18.     Greg Mills, Director: The Brenthurst Foundation, South Africa

19.     Gregory Nemyria, Deputy Chairman: Batkivshchyna, Ukraine

20.     Holger Dix, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Germany

21.     Ioannis Kollias, Lawyer, Greece

22.     Ivone Soares, RENAMO, Mozambique

23.     John Maina, Lawyer, Kenya

24.     John Steenhuisen, Minister of Agriculture, South Africa

25.     Juan Diego Molina, University of Navarra, Spain

26.     Juwon Sanyaolu, Human Rights Activist, Nigeria

27.     Kate Almquist Knopf, Former Director: Africa Center for Strategic Studies, US

28.     Leopoldo Lopez, Opposition Leader, Venezuela

29.     Luis Bernadino, Military University Institute, Portugal

30.     Luis Ravina, Director: Navarra Center for International Development, Spain

31.     Lutero Simango, Leader: Mozambique Democratic Movement

32.     Manveen Rana, The Times, UK

33.     Michaela Wrong, Author, UK

34.     Miguel Ángel Cortés Martín, People’s Party, Spain

35.     Nic Cheeseman, Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation, UK

36.     Omer Ismail, former Minister: Foreign Affairs, Sudan

37.     Omar Shaban, PalThink for Strategic Studies, Palestine

38.     Phumlani Majozi, Commentator and Analyst, South Africa

39.     Paula Roque, Executive Director: Intelwatch, Portugal

40.     Ray Hartley, Research Director: The Brenthurst Foundation, South Africa

41.     Richard Morrow, Analyst: The Brenthurst Foundation, South Africa

42.     Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), Leader: National Unity Platform, Uganda

43.     Robert Thomson, former Senior Officer: British Army

44.     Robin Auld, Musician, South Africa

45.     Solly Msimanga, Leader of the Opposition: Gauteng Legislature, South Africa

46.     Tanele Maseko, Human Rights Activist, Swaziland

47.     Tendai Biti, Human Rights Lawyer, Zimbabwe

48.     Vasilis Gavalas, DIKTIO, Greece

49.     William Leslie Amanzuru, Human Rights Activist, Uganda

50.     Zenzele Mfayela, Inkatha Freedom Party, South Africa

51.     Zitto Kabwe, former Leader: ACT-Wazalendo, Tanzania