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The Alliance
of Mayors and Municipal Leaders on HIV/AIDS in Africa Second Symposium
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| "Local
governments are the places where many communities happen to live
together; they learn a peaceful management of a common future
because of the solidarity built on shared wealth and exposure
to hazards. Local governments are the places where the sense of
citizenship is formed and nurtured, before it is reflected in
the nation. We can, therefore, state that communities and local
governments are the cornerstones of the African community.
We must therefore ensure that African unity is driven by the will and capacity to reconcile our differences and strengthen our similarities. Let us regard our diversity as a fountain of strength to achieve unity. Let us be mindful of the adage that united we stand, divided we fall. We must transform this call for unity into a new deal between African leaders and their peoples. This new deal should be grounded on participatory democracy, respect of human rights, and the right for everyone to have equitable opportunities for the development of his or her life and that of his or her family. As I have just said, this should start from the community and local government levels. A nation is not democratic as far as democracy is not established first and foremost at the local level. A nation is not developed as far as the development is not occurring at the local level. And a nation cannot develop if people do not live in a peaceful and secure local environment."
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