Challenges & Perspectives on Democracy and Human Rights in Africa

Ryan McCannell ~ Democracy & Governance Specialist ~ USAID Bureau for Africa

March 28, 2008

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• USAID is an independent U.S. Government Agency providing foreign assistance to over 100 countries

• USAID works closely with Department of State on strategic and program planning

• USAID works worldwide on agriculture, democracy and governance, economic growth and trade, environment, education and training, health, global partnerships, and humanitarian assistance.

First things first... what is USAID?

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Where we work

USAID's presence in Sub-Saharan Africa:

• 26 bilateral programs: Angola, Benin, Burundi*, Djibouti*, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone**, Somalia*, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

• 3 subregional offices:

Accra: West Africa

Nairobi: East Africa

Pretoria: Southern Africa

* managed from Nairobi

** managed from Conakry, Guinea

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Why does the U.S. promote democracy?

• First, as a matter of principle – our political system and national identity are built on the belief that all people share fundamental rights.

• Second, democracy promotion is central to our national security.

• Third, poor governance is often a root cause of conflict.

• Finally, U.S. support for democracy and better governance is an integral part of our broader development agenda.

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Estimated FY 2007 budget by Sector: $3.35 billion total*

* Includes USAID-managed funds of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).In addition, the U.S. provided $1.2 billion in emergency food aid and humanitarian assistance to Africa in FY 07.

Democracy, Human Rights and Conflict Mitigation - 9%

Education - 7%

Agriculture/Environment - 9%

Other EconomicGrowth - 5%

Malaria9%

Family Planning

6%

HIV/AIDS49%

Other Health6%

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How do we define our work in democracy promotion?

The Four Democracy and Governance ("DG") Program Areas

RULE OF LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS

GOOD GOVERNANCE

POLITICAL COMPETITION & CONSENSUS BUILDING

CIVIL SOCIETY

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What problems are we trying to solve?

Challenges & Weaknesses Common to Many African Countries

Culture of Impunity Weak governance institutions

Incomplete or Unenforced Legal Codes Ineffective checks and balances

Weak justice sector institutions Lack of transparency in government

Human rights violations Rampant corruption

Political violence and vengeance Governments unresponsive to citizens' needs

Lack of consensus about rules of the political process

Exclusion of disadvantaged groups

One-party or dominant-party state Limited or no citizen participation

Uneven political playing field Restrictions on basic freedoms (media, assembly, political association, etc.)

Zero-sum politics / "winner take all" mentality

Elites have "captured" the political system

Military plays a role in politics (direct or indirect)

Obstacles to the free flow of information

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With whom do we work?

Host-Country Partners & "Clients"

RULE OF LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS: Constitution / Legal Drafters Judges, Lawyers, Legal Professionals Justice Sector Institutions (courts, prosecutors, police*) Traditional Justice Providers Human Rights Advocates & Protectors

GOOD GOVERNANCE: Legislatures Central Government Ministries - except

Ministries of Defense Local Government Officials Traditional Leaders Anti-Corruption Agencies

POLITICAL COMPETITION & CONSENSUS BUILDING: Election Authorities Political Parties Domestic Election Monitors Special Transitional Authorities

CIVIL SOCIETY:Advocacy Groups (women, youth, minorities, PTAs, growers' associations) Good governance "watchdogs"Labor UnionsMedia

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What are some recent accomplishmentsin democracy and governance?

Examples of our work:

RULE OF LAW & HUMAN RIGHTS: Provided Rwanda's Ministry of Justice with case tracking software and training to manage verdicts from the post-genocide Gacaca (traditional justice) process Helped South Africa revamp its post-apartheid criminal justice system Reassembled Liberia's disparate laws into a complete legal code

GOOD GOVERNANCE:Following Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement, reinstituted regional government institutions and basic services to southern SudanHelped Mali create 703 local government areas, and trained mayors, councilors, and citizens on how to identify, approve and fund local prioritiesAssisted Benin's supreme audit institutions in uncovering and punishing corrupt officials at the national port

POLITICAL COMPETITION & CONSENSUS BUILDING: Helped Kenya's opposition parties form a coalition that took power after Daniel arap Moi stepped down Supported D.R. Congo's lengthy transition process from open warfare to free and fair elections Ensured that IDPs in Northern Uganda had the right and ability to vote in 2006 elections

CIVIL SOCIETY: Supported successful civic advocacy to include disabled rights in the new D.R. Congo constitution, outlaw gender-based violence in Benin, and protect child witnesses in South AfricaMobilized Guinea's civil society community to unite behind and push for a reformist prime minister, ending that country's recent slide into anarchyFunded community radio stations in northern Mali and Niger to improve the free flow of information

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Democratization Trends in Africa

From 2001-2006:

• 12 countries rated "Less Free"

• 14 countries experienced no change

• 20 countries rated "More Free"

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• Intransigent leaders (Zimbabwe, Sudan)• Linking "modern" and "traditional" ideas of power sharing,

consensus, and conflict resolution• Strengthening institutional checks and balances• Increasing respect for rule of law and human rights• Improving service delivery: the "democracy dividend"• Fighting corruption• Challenging African democracies to exert leadership• Geopolitics: extractive industries and the rise of China

Remaining challenges

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Ryan McCannell, Democracy Advisor USAID Bureau for Africa202-712-1192 / rmccannell@usaid.gov

Thanks.