Guinea’s legislative elections last year were the first competitive, multiparty polls for seats in the National Assembly since the country gained independence in 1958. New polls were scheduled for 2011, six months after the election of Alpha Condé, the first democratically elected president in 52 years, but debate and confusion between the government and opposition parties over electoral reforms delayed them for three years.

The U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit brought government and civil society leaders from across Africa to Washington, D.C., earlier this month for a three day event, which highlighted Africa as an increasingly important actor in world affairs. The Summit also included forum discussions on the importance of civil society and women’s political participation.

NDI mourns the passing of Willie Blacklow, a colleague and friend who believed in the power of politics to improve people’s lives and who worked to instill the values of democracy as a long-time trainer for the Institute.

Through the years, NDI sent Willie to eight countries on three continents to work with parliamentarians, political parties, minority groups and others as they sought to master the role of communication in order to participate more effectively in the political process.