On June 17th and 18th, 2016, libertarians from Kenya, Uganda, DR Congo, Burundi, Eritrea, Nigeria and USA converged at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa’s Jubilee Hall for the third annual ASFL East African Regional Conference. The event was the first of its kind in the continent as participants were required to apply in order to attend the two day conference. In the end, 109 of the best applicants were invited to attend.
Linda Kavuka, Chairperson of the ASFL Executive Board and host of the event, gave the opening remarks followed by a representative from Catholic University. SFL African Programs Director Olumayowa Okediran then gave the first presentation on barriers to movement and trade. He illustrated how the current boundaries were colonial systems that have destroyed our unity and pride as Africans. They continue to hinder us from exploiting potential inter-state trade and movement which could boost not only our individual economies but Africa as a whole. The barriers have allowed corrupt officials to thrive.
From left to right: Stella Nderitu (SFL Member, Kenya) Joseph Kwanya (Local Coordinator, Kenya) and Aimable Manirakize (Local Coordinator, Burundi).
Next, Local Coordinator Teklemariam Bekit shared a rather moving personal experience concerning immigrants and the challenges they face in their host countries using Eastern Africa as a case study. He expressed his disapproval of the repatriation of the Somali refugees at Dadaab and instead suggested that the refugees should be absorbed into the community and granted asylum.
June Arunga graced the event with her presence and chose to share her personal take on liberal ideas which was not only an African perspective but a practical one as well. She made reference to the slang word ‘tunyitane’ which in her interpretation means ‘let us get each other.’ Urging the audience to apply this attitude in their daily lives, June reasoned that doing so will help to promote a peaceful society in which mutual understanding endures despite differences of opinion.
Mike Rotich, Co-founder of the Eastern African Policy Center, shared his take on the challenges that Africa faces in the area of regional integration. He argued that there are too many regional markets which fail to accomplish their objectives yet continue to receive money from their member countries. Vice President of Atlas Network Tom Palmer gave the keynote and final presentation of the day. He gave us an overview on liberty with respect to the present state of Africa. He broke down the major principles of free markets and theirbenefits to the audience, which he has addressed in his book, The Morality of Capitalism.
Day two of the event saw Ambassador Martin Kimani, Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, give the first keynote of the day. He gave a tremendous presentation on the ideology of terrorism and how we can use ideas to counter it. He explained the terrorist ideology and mechanisms used to lure young people to join them and also informed the audience of the progress the Kenyan government has made towards curbing terrorism. He challenged the audience to play their role in countering terrorism by being well informed and by creating content that can be used to spread more peaceful ideas. He also addressed joblessness which is one of the major issues in Africa among the youth. He urged the audience to first have something of value to offer before seeking a job.
Dr. Luis Franceschi, Dean of the School of Law at Strathmore University, gave the second keynote on defending human rights in Africa. He explained with a heavy heart how we need to understand that exercising our own rights should not require infringing on or hindering another’s right. He called for the need to be liberal in all matters but to realize freedom comes with responsibility: especially now as we prepare for the Kenyan elections. He referred to the various states and their decade-old leaders who refuse to let go of the power, saying: “Being a dictator is like riding a tiger, coming down from it will be your end.” He also left the audience with a final remark to ponder, remarking that “without freedom there is no love and without love there is no knowledge.”
Alex Njeru, Co-founder of the Eastern Africa Policy Center, briefly spoke on the role of the youth in the electoral process and politics generally. He asked us to arise as youth and refuse to be used in causing chaos but instead insist on free and fair elections upheld in dignity.
Japheth Omojuwa, Editor of AfricanLiberty.org, did a presentation on the ill effects of subsidies and how corruption plays a role. He illustrated his point using Nigeria and how subsidies imposed on common commodities such as kerosene had caused the commodity to become expensive. He insisted that the government shouldn’t interfere with the market and commerce relationship.
Moronfolu Adeniyi gave a briefing on promoting liberty in Africa and how each of us can help spread the ideas for liberty within our communities and campuses. Julliet Gateri was also present and spoke on sharing the economy and its importance in innovation. She explained that entrepreneurship isn’t just about having more freedom to one self but innovating new solutions within our communities.
Our final speaker was Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, the African Programs Associate at Students for Liberty and he presented on the economic effects of taxation. Taxation is imposed or demanded from citizens by governments, and they are punished when they do not adhere to this imposition. He highlighted five myths about taxation, including the supposed moral duty to pay tax. He also debunked the belief that the rich should be taxed more than the poor.
Lunch was served on both days of the conference and participants also got to take away books including Why Liberty and Voices from Africa, published by SFL and Atlas Network respectively, and a CD on the Foundations of a Free Society from the Institute for Economic Affairs. The award-winning film “Poverty Inc” was screened at the conference, for the first time in the region, courtesy of Eastern African Policy Center. The EARC 2016 evening socials at the Celcius Retaurant marked the end of the annual conference, where participants were able to network and socialize.
In an effort to reward their hard work, ASFL sponsored the participation of two student leaders at the conference, who through their effort in promoting the ideas of liberty in the region hosted various events and reached out to hundreds of students with the message of liberty.
A special thanks should go to Atlas Network and Students for Liberty for the tremendous support that made the event possible. This conference attracted some of the best minds in the region, who have been empowered to act as champions of liberty and join our efforts to grow the libertarian community in Africa.