Following the Third Summit for Democracy held in South Korea, The Youth Café organized a webinar to create a space for dialogue and analysis on Africa's democratic trends in the context of global developments. Moderated by Elsie Pamba Ojera , The Youth Café and Mary Yvonne Ododah, the discussion featured insights from panelists and included questions and comments from participants, with responses from the panelists.
In opening remarks, Willice Onyango, Executive Director, The Youth Café and also the host for the dialogue, welcomed everyone to the webinar and extended a sincere invitation to all participants, urging them to actively engage, share their insights, and contribute to a collaborative dialogue. Emphasizing the importance of exploring pathways for advancing democracy in Africa and empowering the next generation to foster a more inclusive and equitable society, he concluded by expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone for joining the webinar.
Following the host’s opening remarks, Elsie, the moderator of the first session, assumed control. The dialogue was structured into two distinct sessions: The first session delved into the regional perspective of democracy in Africa, while the second session shifted focus towards strategies for strengthening democratic institutions on the continent. The moderator extended formal invitations to the first session panelists, recognizing their expertise and contributions to the topic at hand. The panelists were briefed on the key discussion points they would address. Following the invitations, the panelists graciously accepted their roles and expressed eagerness to contribute to the dialogue.
Noha El-Maamoun, Vice Chairperson COMESA Youth Advisory Panel, said African nations can collaboratively tackle shared challenges and advance democratic principles, particularly through youth leadership, by implementing various strategies. Firstly, youth exchange programs facilitate interaction and knowledge sharing among young leaders from diverse African countries. Organizing regional youth forums provides platforms for cross-border dialogue and joint initiatives to address common challenges. Addressing the funding obstacle facing youth activities is crucial, emphasizing the need to support youth-led initiatives focused on democratic values, human rights, and good governance.
Digital platforms play a pivotal role in fostering connectivity and collaboration among African youth leaders. Capacity building initiatives are also significant, advocating for comprehensive training in leadership, conflict resolution, and advocacy to equip young leaders with essential skills. Additionally, forging partnerships with civil society organizations focused on youth employment and democracy promotion amplifies youth voices and extends their reach to broader audiences. Advocating for youth representation and participation in government institutions ensures that youth perspectives are duly considered in shaping regional policies and strategies. These concerted efforts can empower young leaders to enact meaningful change within their communities and on a broader regional scale.
Regarding strategies to successfully strengthen democratic institutions in Africa through grassroots initiatives or civil society actors, emphasis was placed on various key measures. Firstly, investing in civic education was highlighted as essential to ensuring that citizens are informed about their rights and responsibilities within a democratic system. In addition, empowering civil society to monitor government activities and advocate for democratic reforms was considered as vital for promoting accountability and transparency. Electoral reforms were also deemed necessary to guarantee transparency, fairness, and inclusion in the electoral process.
The importance of independent media in providing unbiased reporting and holding the government accountable to combat misinformation and promote transparency in governance was emphasized. Furthermore, efforts to strengthen the rule of law and foster a conducive environment for democratic governance and respect for human rights were considered crucial. International cooperation was emphasized as valuable for learning from successful experiences in other countries and fostering best practices in democratic governance.
Youth programs and regional forums provide valuable opportunities for sharing experiences and practices across various institutions. Additionally, observing electoral reforms and election processes in different African countries offers insights into effective democratic practices. By actively engaging in such activities, nations can identify successful approaches and adapt them to their own contexts, fostering continuous improvement in democratic governance. This exchange of knowledge and experiences not only strengthens democratic institutions but also promotes intergenerational dialogue, ensuring that the voices and perspectives of all generations are heard and integrated into governance processes.
Godbless Otubure, Founder, Global President Ready to Lead Africa, responding to the query regarding successful democratic initiatives and challenges faced by countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, and how they can leverage technology to enhance engagement platforms, he initiated by underlining the educative nature of democracy, emphasizing its collective essence in fostering freedom and participation. Opposition plays a significant role in demanding accountability, noting that democracy inherently entails advocacy and accountability. Leveraging technology, countries can address challenges by implementing monitoring tools, citing the example of Nigeria's Citizen’s Delivery Tracker App, as a means to track government promises and progress. Building trust between the government and citizens is paramount, requiring a sustainable and accountable approach. The present generation must approach governance differently, embracing technology and innovative engagement platforms to foster transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation in democratic processes.
Eglina Mpanga, Junior expert in governance, peace and security (COMESA), said that the impact of regional political dynamics in Africa is profound and multifaceted. While a preference for democratic governance is evident through elections in many African countries, the effectiveness of democracy is often hindered by various drivers. Corruption and lack of accountability pose significant challenges to democratic processes, undermining their legitimacy and functionality. Additionally, geopolitics plays a pivotal role in shaping the stability of democracy across the continent. Organizations like COMESA intervene to maintain peace and security between countries, illustrating the regional efforts to uphold democratic governance. Furthermore, climate change exacerbates existing tensions, destabilizing democracy through phenomena like drought-induced migration. For instance, conflicts between Zambia and Malawi underscore how differing migration intentions due to climate pressures can escalate regional tensions, highlighting the intricate relationship between environmental factors, regional politics, and democratic stability in Africa.
International partnerships and multilateral organizations play a crucial role in supporting African countries' efforts to strengthen democratic institutions. One such organization, COMESA, has implemented various initiatives to promote peace and democracy across the continent. This includes the establishment of a Committee of Elders tasked with providing mediation and preventive diplomacy during elections, facilitating dialogue between opposition and ruling parties to ensure post-election peace. COMESA conducts observer missions to uphold the integrity of elections, ensuring they are democratically conducted. Recognizing the pivotal role of youth in elections, COMESA emphasizes their potential as agents of peace and democracy, engaging them in intergenerational dialogues to share experiences and perspectives. Through these efforts, COMESA contributes significantly to fostering democratic governance and stability in Africa.
Mary Yvonne Ododah, the moderator of the second session extended formal invitations to the panelists, acknowledging their expertise and contributions to the topic at hand. The panelists were also briefed on the key discussion points they would address during the session.
Femi Omere stated that the role of external actors in shaping democracy in Africa involves empowering local communities to take ownership of their democratic processes. It is emphasized that much of what is needed is already within reach, and there is a call for increased confidence in asserting African narratives in democracy. Communities possess individuals with the ability to contribute significantly, and efforts should be made to empower them and integrate them into central roles in governance.
Artificial intelligence is highlighted as a contemporary tool that can be leveraged to advance democratic processes. In addition, there is a call to systematically build democratic foundations by understanding historical contexts and intentionally piecing them together bit by bit. The focus is on creating systems that hold leaders accountable and ensure their commitment to serving the needs and aspirations of the people. Ultimately, the emphasis is on fostering local agency and autonomy in shaping democratic governance in Africa.
Dr Jessica Kabwila, Director for the Malawi School of Governance, said that the current state of democracy in Africa reflects a landscape heavily shaped by Western religions and cultures, leading to political challenges akin to those observed in the West. Despite this, there is commendable resilience demonstrated by both youth and women in navigating these obstacles. However, patriarchal politics remain deeply entrenched in African governance, perpetuating inequalities and hindering progress. Moreover, there is a notable deficiency in civic education across the continent, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address this gap. Affirmative action is urgently required to provide youth with greater political space and empower women through initiatives such as scaling up literacy programs and financing their participation in politics.
To address these issues, there is a call to focus on building a collaborative movement between youth and women, recognizing their potential to affect meaningful change. This entails confronting heteronomic politics that prioritize institutional interests over individual welfare. Budget allocations must be restructured to prioritize initiatives that empower youth, combat corruption, and promote gender inclusivity in politics. Dr. Kabwila emphasized the importance of breaking through existing barriers, urging community organizations to adopt innovative approaches to foster effective transformation and drive democratic progress in Africa.
Omondi Okwany said that to address challenges such as corruption, political polarization, and electoral integrity and enhance democratic governance, it is essential to recognize the complexities involved. Democracy is often perceived as costly because it requires the implementation of majority rule and the maintenance of various systems and processes. One of the significant challenges facing African nations is the legacy of colonialism, which has left behind systems that can foster elitism and corruption.
To combat these issues, it is crucial to integrate traditional systems into the democratization process, thereby creating governance structures that resonate more closely with African cultural and social contexts. Also, fostering political stability across African countries should be a priority, as stability is a cornerstone for any effective democratic governance. This involves not only ensuring fair and transparent elections but also creating inclusive political environments where diverse voices can be heard and corruption can be systematically addressed. By focusing on these areas, African nations can work towards a more stable and democratic future.
Benard Odu raised a concern that there is a need to implement term and age limit policies to promote political renewal and accountability. Again, creating more room for youth representation in political processes is crucial. For example, in Uganda, there is currently only one youth representative in government, which leaves youth-related issues and bills underrepresented. Increasing youth participation can ensure that the perspectives and needs of younger generations are adequately addressed in governance.
Godbless concluded by saying that the solution to Africa's problems lies in providing quality and effective education. Education should empower individuals to build what they consume, create what they use, and design their own technology. Without such education, Africa will remain perpetually dependent on those who have historically led, thereby hindering true independence and progress.
Dr. Kabwila suggested adopting a case study approach from this webinar to move beyond the notion of Africa as a monolithic continent with 54 countries. Instead, participants were encouraged to focus on specific issues and regroup accordingly, allowing for more targeted and effective decision-making. This approach emphasizes using existing resources and putting theories into practice. She thanked the participants for their active engagement and contributions, highlighting the value of their ideas and insights.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Ododah thanked the organizers, particularly The Youth Café. Urged them to take concrete steps to create and share platforms where young people can engage, share experiences, and continue to contribute to building democracy.