From Non-interference to Good Governance: Shifting Perspectives on Development Africa (original) (raw)
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From Non-interference to Good Governance: Shifting Perspectives on Good Governance in Africa
South African Institute of International Affairs, 2015
This paper introduces the contextual linkages between the good governance agenda and Africa’s development strategies, especially the newly defined role of civil society actors in Africa’s governance. The paper illustrates the institutionalisation of this ideal using the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This suggests a shift away from the ‘non-interference’ approach of African leaders towards a more proactive approach to governance. Furthermore, while the role of civil society is emphasised for its potential to bring about the kind of participatory and collaborative governance and development processes desired in Africa, there is not yet sufficient empirical evidence that this brings about sustainable development.
African Peer Review Mechanism and Crisis of Good Governance in Africa
Journal of Law Policy and Globalization, 2013
The transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into the African Union (AU) in July 2002 at the Heads of State Summit in Durban, South Africa increased hopes for the African continent as it grappled with a broad range of challenges. These hopes were further bolstered with the adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as the AU's framework for development. NEPAD recognises governance, peace and security as central precondition for development. The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) by which African countries are judged on their compliance with stated norms of governance is a remarkable innovation designed to facilitate the delivery not only of good governance but also peace and security. Moreover, security within the context of a new African Union has taken on a broader meaning since the end of the cold war from a traditional state-centric and ideologically-inspired concept to encompassing a human security approach. From this holistic perspective, the threats to human security in Africa remain a challenge for the AU and NEPAD. Similarly, failure to manage Africa's diverse peoples and resources has resulted in devastating conflicts across the continent. While governance and security are not the only challenges in Africa, it seems clear that the process towards the continent's renewal would need to proceed on a sound governance and security base. Moreover, as the dominantinstitutions and programmers representing the collective vision of the continent, success in dealing with Africa's security and governance issue will largely depend on the AU/NEPAD and its programmes that is, APRM.
Promoting good governance in Africa: The role of the civil society as a watchdog
Journal of Public Affairs, 2019
Corruption, maladministration, nepotism, and poor accountability have reached unprecedented levels within the African continent. Consequently, this has impeded the successful and adequate provision of public services and by extension, hampered socioeconomic development and good governance. Undeniably, the entrenchment of civil society is vital for democratic purposes and the consolidation of good governance. For the purpose of this study, Africa is regarded as a unitary entity composed of synchronized autonomous states and governments. As a result, a strict examination of available and relevant literature on the provision of civil society in Africa was applied (were a systematic review of literature irtes was undertaken). The study was able to comprehensively understand the dynamics, challenges, and benefits related to the increasing rate at which is participating in Africa's governance related issues and their overall impact. The study was also able to understand how civil society in Africa has contributed to promoting good governance. It is, however, apparent that the increasing involvement of civil society in governance issues relates to transparency, upholding the rule of law, human rights, and the fight against corruption inter alia. The study also uncovered that the increase in the participation of civil society organizations will have a positive impact on governance as they will have the capacity to act as watchdogs to ensure that governments are effective and serving the needs of the public. Going forward, it will be imperative for civil society to work hand in hand with democratically elected governments in not only fighting corruption and promoting good governance but to also ensure that there is a socioeconomic and by extension political development within the African continent. 1 | INTRODUCTION Ekek (1992) opined that many constitutions in Africa provide a special provision for civil society to play an oversight role over the functions and progress of democratic institutions. Constitutions further enable civil society to monitor the functions of government and measure them in terms of ethics and how they adhere to constitutional principles, monitor human rights, and to give citizens-especially the poor, vulnerable, and excluded-the tools to know and assert their rights (Nasu & Saul, 2011). This can be done through education and capacity training workshops. Across Africa, civil society undoubtedly plays a key role in defending the rights of disadvantaged communities, delivering public services where the governments have shown a deficiency. Civil society is undoubtedly an important element in promoting good governance and stabilizing democracy. As stated by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP (1997), good governance is, among other things, participatory, transparent and accountable, effective, and equitable, and it promotes the rule of law. It ensures that political, social, and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard in decision making over the allocation of development resources. Although in Africa, the idea and concept of civil society has gained traction, unfortunately, many governments are yet to fully understand
2017
markdownabstractThis study examines the promotion of governance in the African Continent. It compares the Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) of the World Bank to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) of the African Union. These governance assessments represent differing conceptualizations of governance, particularly reflected in their content and approach. The study answered the following principal research questions: how do the content, process and outcome of the CPIA and APRM support or challenge the good governance agenda; its relation to aid, and what does this mean in the context of power relations of the World Bank and the African Union?
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a Tool to Improve Governance? Experience in Ghana
2009
Weak governance has been identified as one of the obstacles for development, particularly in African states. Western development partners, but increasingly also African institutions, are searching for ways to support positive governance practice and aspire to highlight good practice in governance in Africa. Ghana is usually regarded as a 'good performer' both in economic and-not less so-in political terms. The country cultivates a self-perception of being "the frontrunner" in Africa: the first to have won independence, the first to have re-emerged from prolonged authoritarian and military rule with a successful transition to democratic rule. And, since January 2009, the first to have seen two peaceful and democratic changes in government in a row. In brief, Ghana appears to be amongst the first to look at when one wants to see 'good news' from Africa. The country also seized an opportunity to be the first with the NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development) initiative of an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This study looks into Ghana's experience with the process and its follow-up in the West African country.
The African Peer Review Mechanism: Assessing Origins, Institutional Relations and Achievements
2009
To assess the impact of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), it is necessary to understand where it came from. In the Africa of the old Organisation of African Unity, the sovereignty of states was paramount and criticism of countries within the magic circle unacceptable. Today the idea that individual sovereign states should voluntarily submit their governance and economic development practices to judgment by their peers has been accepted by more than half the countries on the continent, containing three-quarters of the population of Africa. There is widespread acknowledgment that ‘development is impossible without true democracy, respect for human rights, peace and good governance’. Three generations of governance mechanisms – the grandfather, the African Union; the father, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development; the child, APRM – have helped to bring about this remarkable change. But has the process been truly embraced by all who have signed up to it? Is it deeply engra...
Review: The African Peer Review Mechanism: Lessons from the Pioneers
Journal of African elections
Civil society organisations have played a vital role in the relationship between the state and society. In Africa they have come into existence for different purposes, ranging from 'self-help', where the state has failed to help its citizens, to human rights, as the wave of democratisation has peaked, and economic rights, when a country's economy has crashed and governmental capacity declined to the extent that the population has had to take care of itself without help from the government. In Tanzania CSOs have had to play a more extensive role because many citizens are not politically competent and CSOs have had to take the lead in strengthening the demand side of the political equation. But this role is questionable in cases where CSOs have taken to speaking for and representing people in many forums without the consent of those they claim to represent. In the process CSOs, like NGOs, have compromised their autonomy, becoming close allies and partners of the state. The dilemma is that if they do not do this they cannot help the people they purport to help and if they do they are seen to be usurping the power of the people. The way forward is to empower citizens to assume their role as citizens and to ensure that the relationship between CSOs and the state remains beneficial to all. INTROdUCTION Civil society organisations (CSOs) are groups set up to assist members of civil society (the space between individuals and the government) in a variety of ways, including politically, socially, and economically. CSOs in general can be divided into formal and informal. The former would include such organisations as labour unions, which adhere to codified rules and require governmental sanction to