Africa
By Tennyson Sampson
THE West Africa Democracy Solidarity, WADEMOS, Network has said that ECOWAS should reconsider its framework for overseeing countries in transition.
WADEMOS, which is a non-partisan, independent civil society-led transnational democracy solidarity network, resolved after its Conference on ‘Democracy decline and political transition in Francophone West Africa’ in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from August 1-2, 2023, that the approach taken by ECOWAS “has faced criticism for being overly mechanical and uniform”.
“It’s evident that a one-size-fits-all template cannot be effectively applied to all countries. ECOWAS in collaboration with civil society must engage in thoughtful introspection and evaluation of the existing template, in order to ensure that it aligns more appropriately with the unique context and dynamics of each individual country.
“We strongly call for the setup of an Economic, Social and Cultural Council, ECOSOCC, to provide a common platform and an opportunity for West African CSOs to play an active role in contributing to ECOWAS’s values and policies,” the group said in a statement.
It added ECOWAS and the AU should collaboratively define the APRM’s unique role in the transition process of military regimes – as a bridging mechanism, which will aid in the coordination and complementarity between the countries in transition, APRM and the different governance actors/frameworks at the national, regional and continental levels.
According to the group, this will aid in effective and systemic reforms that align with normative frameworks as well as in the cultivation of shared values of democracy by dialogue, through citizenry-driven processes.
It urged ECOWAS to enhance trust and confidence by engaging in systematic dialogues with citizens, leading the regional democratization agenda, and spearheading responsive initiatives, while the bloc must also strengthen the involvement of CSOs in regional mediations.
The resolution also stated that ECOWAS should explore responses to the growing and emerging alliance among coup makers in the region and its impacts on regional integration and the influence of ECOWAS.
“We (CSOs in collaboration with ECOWAS) must investigate the intricate interplay of factors shaping the formation and consolidation of this alliance, their motivations, common objectives, and shared ideologies that are driving these juntas to seek mutual cooperation and its far-reaching implications and disruptions towards a harmonious political and socio-economic regional integration. We must evaluate how these alliances among juntas might challenge or reshape ECOWAS’s effectiveness and credibility in fulfilling its mandate of promoting regional stability and integration,” the group said.
The other resolutions and recommendations include:
“It is important to broaden our attention beyond nations undergoing political transitions, extending our focus to include fragile states. We need to provide support, such as the AU Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transition (AFSIT), to bolster democratic resilience.
“Strengthen inclusion and participation in transitional governance: Military juntas must involve civil society, political parties, youth, women, and minority communities in the transition process. The inclusion of all voices will strengthen the legitimacy of the decisions made and create a sense of shared responsibility for the future of the country.
“To prevent future coups, it is essential to leverage the current transitional phase as a valuable learning experience and a blueprint for implementing lasting reforms. This must integrate sustainable measures such as electoral and institutional reforms and other relevant reforms that can fortify the country’s political landscape. Learnings around the transition process must be documented for future reference.
“Democracy should move beyond elections and political parties to build trust among citizens and prevent disillusionment that could orchestrate support for other alternative anti-democratic governance systems. This can be achieved by promoting inclusive governance, accountable and transparent institutions, and nurturing active civic engagement.
“Promote civil-military relations, especially in countries that have never suffered a coup d’état, to bolster democratic stability, reinforce civilian oversight of the armed forces, and cultivate a culture of respect for constitutional governance. We also call for military reforms targeted at creating a professional, accountable, and apolitical military that is committed to upholding democratic values and rule of law.
“Civil society must be empowered to engage in persistent civic democracy education, especially in the wake of the escalating surge of anti-democracy narratives that are gaining momentum across West Africa. We must mount a strong campaign against ongoing disinformation targeting democracy and countering the new narrative that pits authoritarianism against democracy is a critical endeavor.
“CSOs must not be fixated only on the transition process and timelines. We need to repurpose and broaden our interventions to encompass the entire governance journey.
“This strategic shift is essential for maintaining relevance, particularly in instances where coup makers transition into governance roles.
“CSOs must work to exert pressure on the AU to reduce the inconsistencies (overlaps between the AU and ECOWAS by letting the principle of subsidiary apply in the case of unconstitutional changes. It implies that ECOWAS, as a regional body with a more direct understanding of the context and challenges within West Africa, should be given greater authority and autonomy to address cases of unconstitutional changes of government within its member states.
“CSOs should consider forming a strategic alliance with a well-defined and independent intervention plan that will serve as a comprehensive framework to guide their interventions during transitions.”
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September 8 2023 @ 19:49 GMT|
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