Rwanda is amongst African countries that were not invited to participate in USA Summit for the Democracy that is scheduled to virtually take place from December 9-10, 2021 whereby most of the programming will be livestreamed on www.state.gov
According to US Department of State website, These are African countries that will participate: Zambia, Senegal, Namibia, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe, Nigeria, Niger, Mauritius, Malawi, Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Botswana and Angola.
It is not clear on factors considered for this summit participants. However, information available says the December 2021 Summit will kick off a year of action by participants to make democracies more responsive and resilient, and to build a broader community of partners committed to global democratic renewal.
Summit for Democracy will take place in two stages. The first Summit will be a virtual leader-level?event?on?December 9-10, 2021.? The second, which the U.S. Government intends to be in-person, contingent on public health considerations, will be held approximately one year later. Between the two Summits the U.S. Government and its partners will embark upon a “Year of Action” to advance the Summit’s goals.
Why were some countries invited while other countries were not invited?
The State Department says ” United States reached out to a regionally diverse set of well-established and younger democracies whose progress and commitments will advance a more just and peaceful world. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible. We are working to ensure that all relevant voices and viewpoints feed into the Summit process.”
We will continue?engaging?with?Summit participants and other?governments around the world to counter democratic backsliding, promote respect for human rights, and fight corruption both at home and abroad – whether that work occurs within or outside of the Summit framework. We?seek to engage any?and all?countries that show a genuine willingness in making commitments that support the Summit’s goals.” It observes
Meanwhile, some other countries from all over the world will participate in the summit. ? The Summit will focus on three themes:? Strengthening democracy and countering authoritarianism, fighting corruption, and promoting respect for human rights.
The Summit for Democracy is a flagship presidential initiative that illustrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to putting democracy and human rights at the heart of?U.S.?foreign policy.
For more info, read: https://www.state.gov/further-information-the-summit-for-democracy/
