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Kofi Annan Opens Democracy Conference In Benin
by Jean-Pierre Campagne
COTONOU (AFP) – U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan Monday afternoon launched a conference here on new and restored democracies, praising Benin in his opening address as a "shining example" of democracy in Africa.
"In transferring power smoothly, through the ballot box, Benin is a shining example for Africa and other continents to follow," Annan told representatives from more than 90 countries in a sports center here for the three-day meeting.
"Democracy and the rule of law are inseparably connected," the secretary-general said.
"Without respect of the law, it is not possible to hold free elections," he said, adding, "A strong, independent judiciary is therefore essential."
Presidents Mathieu Kerekou of Benin, Alpha Oumar Konare of Mali and Mamadou Tanja of Niger attended the opening session, as did Boutros Boutros Ghali, the head of the world's leading Francophone group, and the head of the regional ECOWAS grouping, Lansana Kouyate.
Annan paid tribute to host nation Benin, which had its first democratic elections in 1991 after 18 years of military rule under General Mathieu Kerekou.
Kerekou came back to power in a presidential election in 1996.
"Democracy implies majority rule, but that does not mean the minorities can or should be excluded from having any share of power," he added.
"Democracy can only work if all groups in the society feel they are included, and that their rights will be respected. Often that means rejecting a political system in which the winner takes it all."
Konare, meanwhile, in a clear reference to Ivory Coast, condemned "constitutions founded on xenophobia."
"We can talk about Supreme Court decisions, but everything depends on how the composition of the [court] was established," he said to cheers from participants.
Violence in Abidjan on Monday killed three people as security forces clashed with supporters of opposition leader Alassane Ouattara.
Outtara who has been banned from running in Sunday's parliamentary elections because identity papers provided to demonstrate his Ivorian nationality were of doubtful legality.
President Konare stressed the need for "participation of civil society" in a democracy, and the necessity for the "democratization of international relations."
The conference, the fourth of its kind, is the second leg of Annan's sweep through African countries, which has already taken him to Sierra Leone.
He is due to travel on to the Horn of Africa region after the conference, to launch the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers there after a two-year border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
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