NDI - Africa: Sub Saharan Africa

Catalogue of Recommendations to Improve the Nigerian Electoral Process

fgalleto — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:34:49 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

09/14/2011

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the catalogue	414.95 KB

Nigeria 2011: Post-Election Multilogue

fgalleto — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:32:29 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

09/14/2011

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	1.13 MB

Institute Feels Kenya is Ready For General Election

fgalleto — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:10:45 +0000

Source:

NTV

Article Link:

Published Date:

05/05/2012

A report by a delegation that has been studying Kenya’s situation, finds that "remarkable progress" in Kenya's preparation for upcoming elections. However, it warns that the politicization of the ICC process remains a risk to peaceful elections. The delegation held 25 meetings with government representatives, the independent electoral and Boundaries Commission, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, political parties, civil society and religious groups. The delegation says full implementation of the constitution remains key to ensuring lasting peace. The group makes 44 recommendations that it says if implemented, will midwife peaceful elections.

Watch the interview with former President Quett Ketumile Masire, head of the NDI delegation, and Patrick Merloe, NDI director of elections programs»

Examining the U.S. Policy Response to Entrenched African Leadership

fgalleto — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:57:15 +0000

Source:

Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs

Article Link:

Published Date:

04/18/2012

Entrenched and often autocratic one-man rule is causing a “democracy deficit” and impeding political development in many African countries, Christopher Fomunyoh, senior associate and regional director for Central and West Africa at NDI, said in congressional testimony April 18. But, speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, Fomunyoh said that significant political change has occurred in Africa in the last two decades through better elections and peaceful transfers of power. He was joined at the hearing, "U.S. policy response to entrenched African leadership," by Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs; Earl Gast, assistant administrator for Africa at the U.S. Agency for International Development; and Mo Ibrahim, founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

“Denying leadership opportunities to a whole generation of African youth and emerging leaders deprives Africa and the rest of the world of the tremendous talent, exuberance and energy that the continent is capable of contributing to a better world in the 21st century," Fomunyoh said. While optimistic about the democratic process in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Fomunyoh warned that backsliding through constitutional change or restricting civil society must be closely guarded against. Using recent elections in Senegal and Cameroon as examples of both extremes, Fomunyoh explained how a vibrant civil society can protect electoral processes and hold leadership accountable. In Senegal, "thanks in large measure to effective grassroots mobilization by Senegalese civil society, the media, youth movements and political parties, the electoral process was safeguarded and the country experienced a credible transition of power," he said.

Read his full statement»

In Burkina Faso, Legislators Emphasize Mining Oversight

fgalleto — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:02:48 +0000

Burkina Faso, one of the world’s poorest countries, has turned to gold exports as a way to boost its economy. It doubled gold production from 2009 to 2010 and launched two more mining projects late last year. These developments have created new jobs and other financial benefits, but have also raised some of the concerns that have plagued mining operations in other countries, such as environmental degradation or exploitation of workers.

As mining becomes central to the Burkinabe economy, oversight by the nation’s parliament is a crucial tool in avoiding these problems. To that end, a delegation of members of parliament (MPs) recently visited the Mana gold mine, one of seven industrial mines in Burkina Faso, located 125 miles west of the capital, Ouagadougou. The visiting MPs were members of the Network of Burkinabe Parliamentarians in the Fight Against Corruption (Burkindi), an informal, multiparty network of lawmakers that has been working since 2008 to prevent corruption. They were accompanied by representatives from government ministries and journalists. The site visit was organized by NDI.

Members of Burkindi visit the Mana gold mine.

The delegation visited the open-pit mine, as well as an exploration site, where miners are searching for new gold deposits; the mine laboratory, which tests samples to determine the quality of the gold; and the site where mine waste, such as used water and gold residue, is dumped. The mine director said that measures are taken to preserve the environment, including regular tests of the wastewater and the local water supply to limit pollution and monitor contamination. MPs interviewed mine officials about the impact of the open-air dump on the health of citizens and discussed concerns about the social impact of the mine, including its ability to create jobs for young people.

The delegation also met with citizens of Bana, the surrounding town. Residents hailed the jobs created by the mine, which has employed 564 people — 167 of them local — since its opening in 2008. But they also shared grievances, saying that the mine is not hiring as many young people as residents had hoped. Citizens also said that since the mine was built on what had been viable farmland, the nearby village of Somona was suffering from a shortage of arable land and needed the mine to create more jobs to help village residents. MPs took note of these complaints and will investigate them further.

The coordinator of Burkindi, Maurice Dieudonné Bonanet, said the MPs will provide recommendations to the mining company and the government based on what they learned from the site visit. The MPs will continue to monitor the situation as the mining company works to address the grievances voiced by citizens, according to Alfred Sanou, an MP from the ruling party in Houet province.

NDI has worked with governments throughout Africa since 2008 to improve transparency and government oversight of extractive industries. In 2008 the Institute published Transparency and Accountability in Africa’s Extractive Industries: The Role of the Legislature and followed by The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Guide for Legislators: How to Support and Strengthen Resource Transparency in 2009 to help African lawmakers as they work to curb corruption and increase transparency in the mining industry.

Related:

Published May 8, 2012

NDI Pre-Election Delegation Finds "Remarkable Progress" in Kenya Election Framework

fgalleto — Sun, 06 May 2012 19:19:01 +0000

Immediate and Concerted Efforts Needed to Prevent Violence, Remove Uncertainties

Remarkable progress has been accomplished in reforming the framework for Kenya’s elections, an NDI delegation found during a pre-election assessment mission. Nevertheless, immediate and concerted efforts are needed to prevent political violence and to remove uncertainties in the electoral environment that could threaten the integrity of elections.

Ayo Obe speaks at the delegation's press conference announcing its findings, with President Quett Ketumile Masire.

Immediate and Concerted Efforts Needed to Prevent Violence, Remove Uncertainties

The delegation included former President of Botswana H.E. Quett Ketumile Masire; Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone Dr. Christiana Thorpe; U.S. and global human rights advocate Martin Luther King, III; Nigerian Legal Practitioner and civil liberties advocate Ayo Obe; NDI Senior Associate and Director of Electoral Programs Patrick Merloe; and NDI Senior Associate and Director for Southern and East Africa Dr. Keith Jennings. The delegation visited Nairobi April 29 - May 5.

The mission’s purposes were to consider the state of electoral preparedness, review the broader political environment, examine factors that could affect the credibility of the electoral process and offer recommendations to support increased dialogue and consensus building towards peaceful, credible elections.

The delegation held 25 meetings with representatives of the government of Kenya, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, political parties, civil society and religious groups. Based on its meetings, the delegation offered 44 recommendations that would remove uncertainties that can impair fair elections and undermine public confidence.

Read the full statement»

Watch an interview with Patrick Merloe, NDI's director of election programs»

Related:

Published May 6, 2012

National Democratic Institute Schools Female Politicians | April 30, 2012

fgalleto — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:03:20 +0000

Awoko | Link to story »

Female aspirants for the November 17th General Elections drawn from all four Districts of Bo, Moyamba, Pujehun and Bonthe have benefited from a two day training under the sponsorship of the National Democratic Institute.

The training, which was held from Monday April 23rd to Tuesday 24TH at the Sahara Hotel in Bo, was aimed at meaningful participation of women in National, Local and Community leadership role, has become an important focus of global development policy.

Link to story »

Election Academy Forum Kicks Off in Monrovia | April 25, 2012

fgalleto — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:58:43 +0000

Liberian Observer | Link to story »

West African Election Observers Network (WAEON) has decided to hold its next academy in Liberia in an effort at help strengthen civil society capacity to engage in post-election reform and development.

This capacity building academy will take place beginning today to Friday at a local resort in Monrovia. The forum opens between 9am and 10am with remarks from the Liberian Democratic Institute (LDI), WAEON Chairman Mashood Erubami, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and Gabriel Smith, Chairman of the Elections and Inauguration Committee, House of Representatives.

Link to story »

Kenya: Citizens to Be Educated On Political Parties Act | April 14, 2012

fgalleto — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:47:16 +0000

AllAfrica | Link to story »

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) will hold forums on the registration and operation of political parties in a 10-day public sensitization initiative starting on Monday.

The sensitization program is co-sponsored by IEBC and the National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Link to story »

Senegal's Democracy Passes Test, but Challenges Remain for Sall | March 27, 2012

fgalleto — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:26:02 +0000

World Politics Review | Link to story »

Several hours after polls closed for Senegal’s presidential election Sunday, President Abdoulaye Wade, the 85-year-old incumbent whose decision to seek a third term in office led to waves of protest across the country, conceded defeat to Macky Sall, 50, and even called to congratulate Sall on his victory.

Many had feared that Wade, whose popularity has suffered since he took office in 2000 due to rising levels of unemployment, the soaring cost of living and increasingly visible corruption, would remain in office regardless of the election results.

Link to story »

Jonglei Citizens Critical of Lack of Basic Services | March 26, 2012

fgalleto — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:21:35 +0000

Sudan Tribune | Link to story »

Bor residents complaining that basic services are not available to them have called for the intervention of their members of parliament.

Youths, women, chiefs and elders from the Gok South constituency converged in Bor to meet Philip Thon Nyok, who represents them in Jonglei legislative assembly and Jun Malat from the South Sudan Legislative Assembly, on 24 March. The constitutional dialogue is was organised by the Sudan Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE), the largest non-partisan democratic motoring organisation operating in South Sudan with funding from National Democratic Institute (NDI).

Link to story »

Domestic Election Observation in Ghana: The Story of CODEO | March 21, 2012

fgalleto — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:22:19 +0000

The Daily Guide Ghana | Link to story »

Ghana is touted as the beacon of democracy in a region plagued with political instability, conflict and divisions. But as the December 2012 elections approach, the question on the lips of many political watchers, and indeed many Ghanaians is whether Ghana will be sixth times lucky in avoiding the chaos that has come to characterize elections in Africa.

Will Ghana continue to be a shining example of fair, transparent and credible multi-party elections, and an oasis of peace in a troubled sub-region or slide into anarchy and political retrogression?

Link to story »

Congolese Want Leaders to “Reach Out To Us,” Opinion Research Finds

fgalleto — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:53:30 +0000

New focus group research from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) finds an overwhelming majority of participants believe the country can become a full-fledged democracy, provided it has better leadership and unity among the people. Those surveyed were also especially concerned with the corrosive power of corruption in the country, and they want political parties and elected leaders to be more responsive to citizens.

Survey participants said elected leaders and political parties have failed when it comes to listening to their constituents and advocating for their needs. These leaders are perceived to follow a pattern: get elected and then hide from your constituents. “I would tell these politicians to leave their air-conditioned offices because it’s difficult to know or to be familiar with issues that the people face when you stay in an office,” said one participant from Kinshasa. This sentiment came up repeatedly as participants said their leaders do not have the interests of the people at heart and lack the political will to help the DRC improve.

The series of 12 focus groups, conducted in October by NDI, examined perceptions of the DRC’s most pressing economic, social and political issues; expectations of political parties and elected leaders; attitudes toward democracy; and expectations about the future of the country. Focus group participants had at least a high school education and included men and women 25-35 years old. This participant profile gives insight into the views of Congolese who, as adults, experienced the country’s first democratic elections in 2006 but whose overall quality of life depends on the country’s future development.

According to the April 26 report, Reach Out To Us: Findings from Focus Groups with Young Men and Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than half the participants listed unemployment or security as their primary concern. They believe that many of the social ills that Congolese face are a result of poverty caused by unemployment. “Employment is the foundation of everything; if someone works, he earns a salary to provide for his family and can even afford to have an education,” said one participant from Kinshasa. Congolese would like to see their government take steps to curb unemployment and insecurity in the country.

The findings are being shared with Congolese political parties and elected leaders and can serve as a starting point for political party leaders to identify and build consensus on steps needed to tackle the country’s most pressing issues. The emphasis on responsive leadership may prompt some elected leaders and political parties to increase outreach and communication with the constituents they represent.

Read more:

Published April 26, 2012

Reach Out To Us: Findings from Focus Groups with Young Men and Women in the Democratic Republic of Congo

fgalleto — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:47:12 +0000

Author:

Rebecca Feeley, Driss Choukri

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

04/26/2012

Resource Type:

Focus Group Report

Language:

English, French

English

French

Attachment	Size
Read the report (English)	1.13 MB
Read the report (francais)	1.2 MB

Fomunyoh Testifies to Senate on Entrenched African Leadership

fgalleto — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:25:47 +0000

Read his full statement»

Related:

Published April 20, 2012