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A Code of African Leadership was yesterday unveiled in Mombasa by the African Leadership Council.
The code, dubbed the �Twenty-two Commandments of Leadership�, sets out the paradigms of good governance for African leaders, and is among the supporting documents accompanying the Mombasa Declaration.
Among the key highlights of the code are the emphasis on the respect of all human rights and civil liberties and promotion of democratic practices, the demand for peaceful and lawful transfer of power, and the eschewing of corrupt practices.
Other fundamental aspects proposed for undertaking by the document include pledges to promote policies aimed at reducing poverty levels, strengthening and improving access to education and health care, and respect of the autonomy of the judiciary and legislative organs.
The African Leadership Council comprises of former African presidents, prime ministers, cabinet ministers and a number of currently serving government officials including the Vice-President of Kenya Mr Moody Awori.
It is chaired by the former Botswana President Ketumile Masire. Others include retired Nigerian leader Gen (Rtd) Yakubu Gowon, former Somalia Prime Minister Mr Ali Khalif Galaydh, former Sierra Leone Finance Minister Mr James Jonah, Speaker to the East African Legislative Assembly Mr Abdulrahman Kinana, former Namibian Premier Mr Hage Geingob, former Malawi Finance Minister Mr Matthews Chikaonda and Kenyan ministers Peter Anyang� Nyong�o and Najib Balala.
Speaking at the Serena Beach Hotel in Mombasa during the unveiling of the document, Mr Masire said the African Leadership Council was determined to promote good leadership in Africa through pushing for the adoption of the code by African states.
"Having prepared and issued the Mombasa Declaration and its supporting documents, such as the newly fashioned Code of African Leadership, our next step is to deliver them to the African Union (AU), to the New Partnership of Africa�s Development (NEPAD), and to heads of state in Africa," said Mr Masire.
He added that the council was developing a curriculum for a much-needed capacity building program for younger elected leaders of Africa.
The council also intends to increase its membership by recruiting senior women and other senior leaders from Africa, added Mr Masire.
"We intend to be fully inclusive of Africa, and fully aware of Africa�s many positive advances as well as its critical leadership weaknesses. The African Leadership Council is now ready to assist leaders, governments, and international organizations in meeting the challenges of leadership in Africa," the former president said. | 
