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 | | | | Welcome to the Citizenship Section
Here you will find a sample of information from recent entries to the database in
this area. If you would like to read more or search our database of publications on
Citizenship select 'Search the database' and choose publications on
Citizenship. Governing the poor in Harare, Zimbabwe: shifting perceptions
(2002)
Author: Kamete, A Y
Read more...
The Africa Union - Civil Society Contract
C Mutasa
(2004)
An intriguing and powerful message has sunk into the African Union and there is now a growing understanding that the political leadership alone cannot determine the continent?s destiny. People need to be masters of their own destiny. Top-down approaches emanating from the razzmatazz of summits without the people will not change the face of Africa. Today, there is a rich body of literature emphasizing the rights based approach to development grounded in ownership and effective participation by the intended beneficiaries. The African Union cannot afford to remain an exception to the norm.
The Third Summit of the African Union held in Addis Abba; Ethiopia in the second week of July 2004 saw African leaders opening their arms to the effective formal participation of the wider civil society organizations in Africa and the Diaspora by approving the Statutes of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). The establishment of ECOSOCC under the provision of Articles 5 and 22 of the African Union Constitutive Act is a confirmation and assurance that popular participation in the activities of the African Union (AU), as enunciated in the African Charter for Popular Participation, is a prerequisite for its success. The ECOSOCC process is a historical opportunity for the formulation of a new social contract between African Governments and their people. Involving civil society organizations in the African Union endeavours is a positive move and is a way of involving ordinary citizens of Africa in decision and policy-making processes of issues that concern their daily lives. More than this, involving civil society organizations is key, considering the role they would be expected to play as watchdogs of their governments; guardians of democratic practices as well as ensuring the implementation of peace and conflict resolution efforts through the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA).
Civil society organizations have the ability to reach out to the grassroots in African communities and they have many times complemented state efforts in people's social welfare. It is common knowledge that a 'constipated and bureaucratic African state' has been assisted by non-governmental organizations' work in rural development and other charitable spheres. It is therefore fitting that ECOSOCC "shall be an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of the member states." The Africa Union unlike its predecessor the Organization of African Unity seems determined to graduate from a "politicians club" to be a people centered and driven regional organization.
The paper work has been done, and what is left is to see whether both the civic society organizations and governments will make it a success by working harmoniously to attain democracy and economic development in the continent. The peoples of Africa, both the pessimists and opportunists have waited so long to see this become a reality and they cannot wait any longer. The overall goal was to work towards an Africa that is integrated, peaceful and prosperous.
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