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Statement by the Foundation’s Board, Prize Committee and Prize Laureates on electoral tensions in Africa

Our continent is undergoing an unusually busy election time. There have already been too many reports of violence against peaceful demonstrators or detention of political opponents.

Our democratic gains over the past two decades are being rolled back across too many of our countries. This is unacceptable.

While the world is preoccupied with the fight to control the pandemic, some of our political leaders feel they can act with impunity and trample over the rights of their fellow citizens.

Election processes should be clarified and agreed before elections, and where disputes arise these should be settled in courts not on streets.

We call on all parties to respect the rights and dignity of all citizens and resolve their differences through constructive and open dialogue.