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DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania (AP) Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday encouraged Tanzanias fragile progress toward a more inclusive government, stepping onto the front lines of Americas push to strengthen democracy in Africa as part of her weeklong trip to the continent.

Standing alongside Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzanias first female president, Harris cited recent decisions from Tanzania such as lifting a ban on opposition rallies and encouraging more press freedom as important and meaningful steps toward democratic reforms. Hassan has undone some of Tanzanias more oppressive policies even though she came to power as a member of the ruling party.

You have been a champion in the sense of democratic reforms in this country, and in that way have expanded our partnership, Harris said.

Hassan noted Tanzanias participation in a virtual summit on democracy hosted by the White House this week, saying it sends a clear message that the fathers of democracy recognize our efforts in building a democratic nation.

The Tanzanian leader is finishing out the term of President John Magufuli, who earned a reputation for stamping out dissent, arresting critics and forcing them into exile, before he died in office. Hard-liners have been uncomfortable with some of Hassans changes, however, which could cost her in the next election two years from now.

The meeting between Hassan and Harris, the first woman to be Americas vice president, was a noteworthy show of support from the United States as it deepens its outreach to Africa. Harris announced $560 million in U.S. assistance for Tanzania, some of which will require congressional approval. The money is intended to expand the countries trade relationship, as well as encourage democratic governance.

Hassan also pushed for the U.S. to make long duration visas available for Tanzanian citizens, something she said would improve ties between the countries. Issues with U.S. visas, from availability to processing delays, have generated frustration around Africa.

Theres so much excitement here, and people are saying its like madam presidents efforts in changing the country are being rewarded with recognition from an economic and political superpower that is the U.S., said Tanzania-based analyst Mohamed Issa Hemed.

Americas push on democracy is a delicate issue here. Washington has backed African dictators when it believes doing so serves U.S. interests and that has led to accusations of hypocrisy. In addition, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol raised questions over whether democracy remains secure even in the worlds most powerful country.

When the U.S. promotes democracy, it risks a backlash from Africans who sense paternalism in the approach. Some African leaders also see the issue as a backdoor effort to meddle in their internal affairs and strengthen opposition politicians. They note that China asks no such questions about democracy when its looking to cut lucrative deals in Africa.

Harris has emphasized the issue during her trip, particularly during her previous stop in Ghana, one of Africas most stable democracies.

During a news conference with Ghanas Nana Akufo-Addo this week, Harris quoted the presidents words in a recent speech that it is important we never forget that democracy is not a static achievement, but a promise that needs continuous nurturing.

Harris agreed, saying there is a duality when it comes to democracies because they are an exhibition of strength and they are fragile.

The time with Tanzanias Hassan provided Harris with another opportunity to highlight womens issues in Africa, something shes done repeatedly over the course of her trip. During her previous stop in Ghana, Harris met with female entrepreneurs and said women need leadership opportunities.

The future, Harris said, should be a place where women are not just treated equally but are able to thrive.

These conversations are very important, she said at the Mix Design Hub, a modern building that features a restaurant, an art gallery and a co-working space. Because the well-being of women will be a reflection of the well-being of all of society.

Hassan described her meeting with Harris was another milestone and would be an inspiration and a testimony to Tanzanian young girls.

After her meeting with Hassan, Harris visited a memorial to the U.S. Embassy bombing in Tanzania on Aug. 7, 1998 the day a simultaneous bombing took place in Kenya. At the memorial, called Hope Out of Sorrow, Harris shook hands with staff who were present during the attack in Dar es Salaam, as well as the U.S. ambassador to Tanzania from that time, Charles Stith.

Harris paused in front of the memorial, where there was a wreath adorned with white flowers, to pay her respects.

Thank you all for a continued life of service, Harris told embassy staff. The bombing in Tanzania killed 12 people and wounded 77.

Harris arrived in Tanzania late Wednesday, and she will conclude her weeklong trip with a stop in Zambia, another country that is striving to strengthen its democracy. She plans to return to Washington on Sunday.

Idayat Hassan, director of the Centre for Democracy and Development in Abuja, Nigeria, said Harris visit can help galvanize enthusiasm when there are concerns over backsliding into authoritarianism in Africa and around the world.

Many people will want the U.S. to speak to the issue of democracy, which they feel is beginning to decline and is not what it used to be, she said. There are more that need to be assured that democracy is here to stay.

Like Tanzania, Zambia has made uneven steps toward democracy since its independence. But there has been a burst of hope after the country elected Hakainde Hichilema, a former opposition leader who once faced charges of treason.

Zambia has since decriminalized defamation of the president, a law that was used to stifle opposition. Its also serving as a co-host of President Joe Bidens democracy summit.

Hichilema warned this week that economic progress is necessary to sustain open societies. You cant eat democracy, he wrote in The Washington Post. Human rights may sustain the spirit but not the body.

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Musambi reported from Nairobi, Kenya. Associated Press writer Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.

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Harris enters the fray over democracy with visit to Tanzania - The Associated Press

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The United States continues to put human rights at the center of our foreign policy. TheExport Controls and Human Rights Initiative launched at the first Summit for Democracy as part of the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal is a multilateral effort intended to counter state and non-state actors misuse of goods and technology that violate human rights. During the Year of Action following the first Summit, the United States led an effort to establish a voluntary, nonbinding written code of conduct outlining political commitments by Subscribing States to apply export control tools to prevent the proliferation of goods, software, and technologies that enable serious human rights abuses. Written with the input of partner countries, the Code of Conduct complements existing multilateral commitments and will contribute to regional and international security and stability.

In addition to the United States, the governments that have endorsed the voluntary Code of Conduct are: Albania, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Kosovo, Latvia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The Code of Conduct is open for all Summit for Democracy participants to join.

The Code of Conduct calls for Subscribing States to:

We will build on the initial endorsements of the ECHRI Code of Conduct by States at the Summit for Democracy and seek additional endorsements from other States. We will convene a meeting later this year with Subscribing States to begin discussions on implementing the commitments in the Code of Conduct. We will also continue discussions with relevant stakeholders including in the private sector, civil society, academia, and the technical community.

Find the text of the full code of conduct[91 KB].

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Export Controls and Human Rights Initiative Code of Conduct ... - Department of State

ISLAMABAD (AP) Pakistan announced Tuesday it will not participate in this weeks U.S.-led Summit for Democracy, a move seen in part as an effort by the impoverished Islamic nation to assuage longtime ally China, which was not invited.

The Biden administration has invited 120 global leaders to the summit being held in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be co-hosted by the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, South Korea and Zambia.

Pakistans Foreign Ministry in a statement thanked the United States and its co-hosts for the invitation. Pakistan was also not part of the first and only other summit held in December 2021.

Pakistan is the fifth largest country in the world with a population of over 220 million. It has a functional democracy, although critics say Pakistan ranks among the worst democracies in the world.

Pakistan would engage bilaterally with the United States and co-hosts of the Summit to promote and strengthen democratic principles and values and work towards advancing human rights and the fight against corruption, the statement said.

Pakistan did not attend the 2021 summit amid growing tension between the government of then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and the U.S. administration of President Joe Biden. Relations between Washington and Khan were further strained when Khan visited Moscow in February 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Two months later Khan, who served as prime minister for over 3 1/2 years, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament by an alliance of major political parties.

Since then, Khan has alleged that the vote that removed him was a U.S.-organized plot, a charge that Washington and Khans successor Shahbaz Sharif have denied.

In Tuesdays statement, the foreign ministry under Sharif said Pakistan values its friendship with the United States. Under this Biden Administration, this relationship has widened and expanded substantially. We remain committed to further solidifying this relationship for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, it said.

The summit is taking place days after a leading international rights group in its annual report expressed concern over continued violations of human rights in Pakistan. These include enforced disappearances, curtailments on peaceful assembly, and tightening of controls on freedom of speech. Amnesty International said blasphemy allegations continued to spark violence against both religious minorities and Muslims in 2022.

Fawad Chaudhry, a senior leader from Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, at a news conference in Islamabad released a report describing how the current government under Sharif is continuing a crackdown on Khan supporters that began with his ouster in April. He said hundreds of Khan supporters have been detained in recent weeks.

Pakistani analyst Imtiaz Gull, executive director at the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies, said there were multiple factors behind Pakistans decision to skip the summit. One of them is Pakistans desire to assuage concerns from China, which was not invited.

While relations between the U.S. and China have been strained, China has been helping Pakistans efforts to overcome its deepening economic crisis,

China has invested billions of dollars in Pakistan, much of it in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a sprawling package that includes everything from road construction and power plants to agriculture. It has an estimated cost of up to $75 billion. The largest component of the CPEC project is a 3,200-kilometer (2,000-mile) road linking China to Pakistans deep-water port of Gwadar in the southwest. Pakistan hopes the project will bring prosperity to this South Asian nation.

China has also deposited much-needed millions into Pakistans central bank to boost its fast-declining foreign exchange reserves to save Pakistan from a default amid the countrys worst-ever economic crisis.

Talks with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout have been on hold since last year. That has annoyed Pakistan, which has been trying to get help from Washington to influence the IMF into releasing the loan to Pakistan.

On Tuesday, Pakistans premier told the parliament that the IMF wants external financing commitments made by several friendly countries to be fulfilled to get the kay $1.1 billion tranche from the $6 billion bailout. Sharif said he hoped that the commitments made by Pakistans friends will be fulfilled.

Gull also noted the growing instability in Pakistan amid a widening crackdown on Khan and his political party as a factor for Pakistan to bow out of the summit.

It does not happen in democracies what is happening in Pakistan, where the countrys former premier Khan has been implicated in more than 127 cases, and hundreds of his party workers have been arrested on a range of charges, including terrorism, he said.

What would you present there if you go to participate in the summit about democracy and democratic values? he said.

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Pakistan says it will skip US democracy summit amid turmoil - The Associated Press

The arrest and brutal death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, in police custody last September in Iran sparked a wave of protests across the country. Angered by a repressive authoritarian government, protesters calls for Iran to become a secular democracy have since captured global attention.

Shirin Ebadi, left, and Abbas Milani, right, attend the Key Challenges and Pathways to Transition event on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Stanford Faculty Club. (Image credit: Trever Tachis)

Abbas Milani, director of the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studiesin Stanfords School of Humanities and Sciences, said the demonstrations have mobilized citizens and the Iranian diaspora like never before.

The events that unfolded over the last six months woke up the world to the reality that theres something serious going on in Iran, Milani said.

On Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, Stanford hosted the conference Dialogues on Irans Transition to Secular Democracy. It convened Iranian leaders and activists, as well as policy experts and researchers at Stanford to deliberate the challenges, strategies, and pathways for Iran to become a democratic society.

The conference was held at the Stanford Faculty Club and welcomed in-person and virtual attendees who gave presentations and participated in workshops, mostly conducted in Persian. It was co-organized by the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies; Gozar, an independent expert collective; and KAI, a prominent group of Silicon Valley leaders interested in Iran.

The conference kicked off Saturday morning with a discussion on the Woman, Life, Freedom slogan and movement borne out of Aminis death and long-standing gender inequality in Iran. Moderated by scholar and politician Fatemeh Haghighatjoo, PhD, it covered the role that women and other minorities play in pushing for democracy and regime change in Iran.

From left, activists Hamed Esmailion, Masih Alinejad, and Nazanin Bonyadi participate remotely in a panel titled Key Challenges and Pathways to Transition on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Stanford Faculty Club. (Image credit: Trever Tachis)

Other panels addressed such topics as the peaceful transfer of political power, economic risks, human rights, the role of technology, and key legal issues surrounding a transition to a democratic government in Iran. In the evening, attendees participated in roundtable discussions about amnesty and overcoming misinformation, among other issues.

On Sunday, Milani moderated Key Challenges and Pathways to Transition. The event conducted in Persian convened prominent exiled Iranians: lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, journalist and activist Masih Alinejad, actress and activist Nazanin Bonyadi, and activist and author Hamed Esmailion. Each was involved in the creation of the Mahsa Charter, a set of proposals for establishing a free and democratic Iran designed to unite Irans pro-democracy opposition.

We need a framework to cooperate and help our country [because] our differences of opinion have let this regime rule over us for 40 years, Ebadi said. Its time to move beyond that.

The panelists said the document incorporates many perspectives and is a starting point for a path forward. They also encouraged revisions.

This is not meant to be the end all be all, Esmailion said. We are open to criticism.

The demonstrations of the last six months have convened tens of thousands of protesters and resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries by Irans military. When asked what the Iranian diaspora can do to support those on the ground, Alinejad cited correcting misinformation from Irans government, rallying support from other nations, and advocating for Iranians on the global stage.

We are the continuation of the voices from inside Iran, she said.

Panelists noted that many global dictators are united in their support for one another. Irans government, for example, has allied with Russia and supplied ammunition to Vladimir Putins army in Ukraine. Alinejad said that democracy-seekers should also band together.

We need to find our own allies and unite with governments who are on our side, she said.

Milani noted that successful transitions to democracy often unite protesters with some parts of an authoritarian regime, by way of defectors or through negotiations. But Ebadi said that Irans opposition does not yet have the power to be diplomatic and will need more support from risk-averse Iranians who have yet to fully support the democratic cause.

We can only negotiate when we are equals or we have the better hand, she said.

Sundays program included a pre-recorded discussion with Milani; Larry Diamond, the Mosbacher Senior Fellow of Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution; and Michael McFaul, director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and a former U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation. All three have worked together on The Iran Democracy Project within the Hoover Institution to better understand Irans possible transition to democracy.

Diamond shared what he believes to be the necessary conditions for success. There has to be some element of decay and division in the regime and some degree of strategy, organization, unity, and mobilization in the opposition, in order for the situation to be right for a democratic transition, he said.

Given Irans rich oil reserves, he believes the regime is unlikely to disintegrate for lack of resources. The democratic opposition will therefore need greater support from allies as well as international pressure on the regime for a transition to occur.

Integrating diasporas with the people on the ground is often challenging, due to physical distance or differing political or cultural views, among other reasons. McFaul said that transitioning to democracy requires mass cooperation until a regime is replaced.

In the fight against [an] autocratic regime, unity matters a lot, he said.

Milani noted that Irans transition to democracy could have broad implications if successful.

If you look at the last 120 years of history of the Middle East, what happens in Iran does not stay in Iran. It spreads, he said, calling Iran a bellwether in the region.

If we get Iran to become democratic, I think the Middle East will be a different place.

Diamond is also a professor, by courtesy, of sociology and of political science and international studies. McFaul is also the Ken Olivier and Angela Nomellini Professor of International Studies, professor of political science in Stanfords School of Humanities and Sciences, and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution.

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Stanford conference explores Iran's pathways to democracy ... - Stanford University News

On Thursday, March 30, 2023, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will travel to Lusaka, Zambia to lead the U.S. delegation at the Summit for Democracy 2023.

On March 29-30, the United States will co-host the second Summit for Democracy with the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia. Building on the first Summit for Democracy held in December 2021, this gathering will highlight how democracies deliver for their citizens and are best equipped to address the world's most pressing challenges. The second Summit for Democracy will assemble world leaders in a virtual, plenary format, followed by hybrid gatherings in each of the co-host countries with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector.

The theme for the Republic of Zambia's summit is "Free, Fair, and Transparent Elections as the Foundation of Democratic Governance." Secretary Cardona will give remarks on March 30, 2023, which will be livestreamed and can be shared upon request. More information can be found here.

The U.S. delegation will also include:

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Secretary Cardona to Lead U.S. Delegation at Summit for ... - US Department of Education