Human rights groups in the Gambia have decried the possible return of former president Yahya Jammeh, who ruled the Gambia from 1994 until he was forced into exile after refusing to accept defeat in 2016 elections. However, in a tweet, Jeffrey Smith, the founder of Vanguard Africa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting democracy in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasized that the informal alliance is between political parties and not between President Adama Barrow and his former arch-rival Yahya Jammeh.

Mr. Hichilema, in a written statement provided to The New York Times by Vanguard Africa, a pro-democracy nonprofit that is working with him, said, “In the 2021 elections, the people voted to save democracy.”

“We know that a healthy and functioning democracy is one in which the voices of citizens can be heard freely,” he added. “We will listen to those voices rather than seeking to silence critics.”

Founding Director of Vanguard Africa, Jeffrey Smith, described the African tech leader as a glimmer of hope in Cameroon while calling for the authorities to release her.

“Rebecca Enonchong has been outspoken on the need for democratic governance and respect for human rights as a foundation for good business. No wonder corrupt Cameroonian authorities are again seeking to silence her,” he said.

Political analysts have warned of the danger of political violence if the election is perceived as fraudulent. “Undoubtedly, the prospects of violence are greatest if the government seeks to overturn a clear opposition win,” said Jeffrey Smith, head of Vanguard Africa, a democracy advocacy group.

Zambia’s election has broad significance for Africa and the world, he said in a published commentary. “Perhaps no other country – and no other upcoming election – better encapsulates the increasingly pitched global struggle of our day in which the forces of elite authoritarianism and popular demands for democracy are clashing.”

Some Washington insiders are now calling for the re-evaluation of US support for the dictator. Jeffrey Smith, director of the advocacy nonprofit Vanguard Africa, told World Politics Review this January that, “There needs to be a review of U.S. policy towards Uganda, including a comprehensive review of the millions of dollars we provide on an annual basis to their security forces and military.”

This is not the first time that dictators and tourism ministers have “tried to use mega-events to launder their images,” pointed out U.S. human rights activist Jeffrey Smith, the founding director of Vanguard Africa, which works on issues related to public advocacy (and who also works with Bobi Wine). Smith gave the example of a 2014 scrapped performance by Grammy-award-winning American singer Erykah Badu for Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh. Smith had encouraged social media users on January 29 to take over the #VisitUganda hashtag before the MTV event in Kampala was canceled.

“Today, there is a sense that, while we may disagree on policy strategy, there is a fundamental agreement, across the board, that democracy and human rights are important - not just morally and ethically, but also for U.S. national security and for our standing in the world,” said Jeffrey Smith, founding director of Vanguard Africa, a pro-democracy advocacy group.

The American rap artist and singer Akon is helping to rehabilitate longtime President Yoweri Museveni’s reputation after an election earlier this year marred by violence, an internet shutdown and allegations of vote rigging, the U.S. based groups Human Rights Foundation and Vanguard Africa said in a joint letter to Akon shared late Monday.