PRESENTATION

IN AFRICA
AS EVERYWHERE ELSE
THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY
HAN GES OF POWER
WITHOUT C
 TOURNONS LA PAGE PRESENTATION

« Turning the page » is a campaign gathering African and European associations for the same
fight: promoting democratic change in Africa by leading pacific and non-partisan actions. The
campaign is now active in seven African countries (Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Chad,
Niger, DRC), France and Belgium, thanks to more than two hundreds civic movements and the
support of European associations.

he campaign “Tournons La Page” Each national organization has its own goals, spe-
has been launched following the cific to each country situation. The international
impulse of the Peace and Justice organization acts in a broader way through plea
Commission of Pointe Noire actions or rallying over cross-disciplinary themes
(Congo), in a context of major elec- to help building and strengthening African demo-
toral due dates in Africa between cracies.
2015 and 2018. Faced with the risks
of constitutional coup or electoral masquerade, The campaign especially aims at:
African and European organizations have decided to • Building a network of civic movements that fight
come together and carry out this campaign to call for political change; support and protect the acti-
for a pacific change and finally move on from years vists, especially during electoral times.
of power seizing. • Creating a large non-partisan coalition of
citizens, intellectuals, artists, associations, unions
Through their commitment, intellectuals, artists, and religious leaders.
activists, journalists, religious leaders, associations • Finishing the support of European leaders to
and unions, pursue dictatorial leaders in Africa and promote fairer
the same vision for diplomatic relationships
change by calling for • Spreading the pro-political change actions in
In order to achieve their a large civic alliance Africa, in order to delegitimize dynastic regimes in
goals, organizations and and joint actions. This the eyes of the public opinion.
partnership aims to • Thinking about the post-political change period
people members build the conditions by developing a shared vision of African democra-
of “Turning the page” of a strong democracy cies between intellectuals and African movements.
are rallying through various in all African countries.
Democracy is thus
and complementary ways seen in a broader way,
for actions. going from political ACTIONS OF TTP
alternation to citizen In order to achieve their goals, organizations and
control, as well as the people members of “Turning The Page” are ral-
management of natu- lying through various and complementary ways for
ral and mining resources, an independent justice actions.
system or the international relations of the African
continent. • Institutional plea to various leaders and their
sphere of influence: publication of reports about
current affairs, as well as regular meetings with
French and European political leaders.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF
“TURNING THE PAGE” ? • The construction of a solid expertise through
The main goal of “Tournons La Page” is to gather diverse tools and approach (production of reports
as widely as possible beyond political, ethnic or reli- on changes of power and fiscal justice ; electo-
gious division to foster a large collaboration between ral observations in Congo, Gabon and Cameroon
organizations and individuals. Through its actions, ; strategic investigation; organization of confe-
the campaign wishes to end power seizing and to rences-debates and involvement in colloquium)
promote democratic principles in Africa. In Europe
the coalition wishes to act like a sounding board for • Work on communication and relay civic actions to
African movements and contribute to a change in the medias and on social networks: weekly press
the French and European foreign politics. review, press conferences, writing of articles, etc
• Actions for public gathering such as the organiza-
tion of public conferences or debates, cultural and
artistic events, demonstration, and pacific appeal
of leaders. For instance, in 2017, the AFCON (CAN)
organized in Gabon has been boycotted. There
were also protests against corruption in Niger, and
the “Africa Liberation Day” as well as the “Caravan
of democracy” were organized. TLP was also invol-
ved in the counter summit Africa-France in January
2017.
• Networking the activists and others stakehol-
ders, through the strengthening of alliances and
partnerships between movements of the civil
society, protection of the activists and organiza-
tion of Pan-African meetings as in Ouagadougou in
January 2016. In 2017, leaders of national coalitions
met in Bamako in January 2017 and in Yaoundé in
July 2017 to share their experiences and strengthen
the common values of the network.

CONTACTS :
afrique.democratie@secours-catholique.org
+33 1 45 49 70 97
tournonslapage.com
https://www.facebook.com/ensembletournonslapage/
EN AFRIQUE, COMME AILLEURS, PAS DE DÉMOCRATIE SANS JUSTICE FISCALE