Engaging the New Pan-Africanism: Strategies for Civil Society

Compiled by Chris Landsberg and Shaun McKay, Centre for Policy Studies (ActionAid International and OSISA, 2005)

The ultimate goal for all citizens must be to secure the ownership of all African institutions in a manner that ensures their accountability and enhances their value to each African. We should perceive each African institution as part of a larger continental infrastructure which we have a duty to construct and maintain. This must remain the vision that we set our sights to and pursue as effectively as we can.

We should also keep in mind though, that we are dealing with a variety of interests and constantly changing dynamics. Our creativity will therefore be tested time and again as we seek to affirm our ownership of the institutions that are rightfully ours. After all, they were all created in our name. we now need to take the initiative to ensure that they address the needs of the citizens in whose name they exist.

This reader is an important step in acquainting us all with these institutions and how best we stake our claims over them.

[from the foreword by Ezra Limiri Mbogori]

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Definitions and context

• Regional integration, civil society, the state, poverty and marginalisation

• Some impediments to regional integration and poverty alleviation

• HIV/ AIDS

• Economic impediment

3. Key continental and Southern African inter-state institutions

• The African Union (AU)

• The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)

• The Southern African Development Community (SADC)

• Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

• The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

4. The Decision-making approaches of inter-state bodies

• The AU

• The Commission of the AU

• The Peace and Security Council

• NEPAD

• SADC

• SACU

5. Inter-state bodies and national obligations

• The AU and national obligations

• NEPAD and national obligations

• SADC and national responsibilities

6. Mechanisms for civil society engagement

• The AU and civil society

• NEPAD and civil society

• SADC and civil society

• SACU and civil society

• COMESA and civil society

7. Opportunities for civil society influence

• The AU and civil society opportunities

• NEPAD and opportunities for civil society

• SADC and opportunities for civil society engagement

• SACU and opportunities for civil society engagement

• COMESA and opportunities for civil society engagement

8. Overview of civil society organisations and networks in Southern Africa

• Organisations dealing with poverty alleviation

• Regional and cross border civil society networks

9. Appendices

• Strands in political discourse brought together in the AU

• Organs of the AU

• Commission for Africa

10. Bibliography and sources to consult