[AU-Monitor] Peoples' Voices in the Grand Debate

[Hakima Abbas]

Peoples’ Voices in the Grand Debate: CSO and Citizen Interviews on  
the Proposal for a Union Government

Saloman Kebede interviewed several African civil society leaders and  
citizens about the “Grand Debate on the Union Government” to be held  
at the June 2007 summit of the African Union.  These interviews will  
be published by the AU-Monitor over the coming weeks.  Emily Mghanga  
of Oxfam’s Pan Africa Programme edited the interviews of Arnold  
Tsunga, human rights defender from Zimbabwe, and Roselynn Musa,  
women's rights activist based in Kenya, that follow.  These  
interviews are also available at www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor.

Please send comments to aumonitor.editor at gmail.com.


Democratic Political Leadership Is A Pre-Condition For Continental Union
Interview with Arnold Tsunga, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current proposal for  
Continental Government? The recommendations in the Study for  
Continental Government are not currently binding. Our leaders will  
end up doing what favours their governments as opposed to what would  
be of benefit to Africa as a whole. This weakens the proposal. The  
appalling state of leadership is a great misfortune in Africa and has  
victimized citizens through the violation of human rights in  
Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda and elsewhere. The strength of this  
proposal shall lie in its ability to uphold the status of human  
rights in Africa and address situations in particular countries where  
democracy has been abused.

Should it be adopted in Accra in July 2007, what would you like to  
see the African Union Commission achieve within the first phase  
(2007-2009)? Enable Africa to meet the Millennium Development Goals.  
As the African Union is still a growing institution, civil society  
organizations can assist to ensure good political leadership and the  
governance that will guarantee that Africa meets the MDGs.

And why would this form of continental union be important to African  
citizens, particularly the poor and marginalized? It is important for  
Africa to have a unified focus and accountability as a continent.

How could states and non-states ensure that continental union efforts  
are transparent, participatory and driven by an appreciation of  
political and economic rights? The effective involvement of  
grassroots communities is central to its success.  We must consider  
the power of civil society actors, the power of human right defenders  
and the power of political activists on the ground. We must take into  
account what they say and try to implement.

What obstacles must the AU overcome for the continental union to be  
successful? The AU should do away with the culture of a leadership  
uniting against its own people. They, instead, must empower the  
people to facilitate development.

In what policy area, would you like to see greater convergence and  
unity across Africa and why? Economic integration.

The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.  
Arnold Tsunga can be reached at: atsunga at zlhr.org.zw


A Fine Idea, Lets Prioritise Peace, Women’s Rights And Health!
Interview with Roselynn Musa, African Women’s Development and  
Communication Network (FEMNET)

Why is continental integration important to African Citizens? In  
unity lies strength! Continental Union will allow greater  
coordination and mobilization of our resources, which is fundamental  
for growth and development in Africa.  It also gives better  
opportunities for economy of scale.

Should it be adopted in Accra in July 2007, what would you like to  
see the African Union Commission achieve within the first phase  
(2007-2009)? The most pressing needs in Africa are the issues of  
peace and security as well as HIV/AIDS and malaria. Women and  
children are the most affected. It is crucial that they focus on the  
economic empowerment of women as a way of addressing most of our  
societal ills. Let the AU commission set priorities in these areas.

How could states and non-states ensure that continental union efforts  
are transparent, participatory and driven by an appreciation of  
political and economic rights? The AU-NEPAD peer review mechanism is  
an important tool for transparency if implemented as planned. We need  
to put our own house in order so as to be able to hold others  
accountable. We should practice what we preach.

What obstacle must the AU overcome for the continental union to be  
successful? Conflict and human insecurity.  If there is no peace, it  
is difficult to unite either individually or continentally. A  
positive way to start could be to address those issues that have been  
generating conflict in our continent.

In what policy area, would you like to see greater convergence and  
unity across Africa and why? Peace and security, but also health and  
women’s economic empowerment.

The views expressed here are the perspectives of the interviewee.   
Roselynn Musa can be reached at: advocacy at femnet.or.ke or  
musarose_ng at yahoo.com

----------------------------------------------------
Hakima Abbas
Fahamu Networks for Social Change
Policy Analyst/Editor - AU-Monitor

Email: hakima at fahamu.org
www.pambazuka.org/aumonitor
To subscribe/unsubscribe from AU-Monitor visit: http:// 
lists.fahamu.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/au-monitor

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.fahamu.org/pipermail/au-monitor/attachments/20070420/0828c09f/attachment.htm