African Ruling and Opposition Parties Send Democracy Proposals to Heads of Government
25 February 1997
Representatives from governing and opposition parties in Commonwealth Africa issued proposals on democracy and good governance in Gaborone, Botswana, today ahead of a summit of Commonwealth African leaders, which begins in Kasane, also in Botswana, tomorrow. Their report included proposals covering such areas as constitutional framework and governance structures, a democratic culture, electoral processes, political parties, the media and civil society. It also suggested ways the Commonwealth could lend its support to these processes.
The meeting of 48 representatives of opposition and ruling party politicians was part of a Roundtable on Democracy and Good Governance in Africa involving Heads of Government from 18 Commonwealth countries. Today's proposals are to be presented to the Commonwealth leaders by the Rapporteur of the preparatory meeting, the Hon Dr Frene Ginwala, Speaker of the South African Parliament. The meeting of Heads of Government will end on Thursday (27 February 1997).
The Roundtable is being organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Botswana Government.
A copy of the report by the parties is attached.
Roundtable of Heads of Government of Commonwealth Africa on Democracy and Good Governance in Africa
______________________________________________________
PREPARATORY MEETING GABORONE, BOTSWANA, 23 - 25 FEBRUARY 1997
REPORT TO HEADS OF GOVERNMENT
Preamble
• Representatives of both governing and opposition parties in Commonwealth Africa met in Gaborone, Botswana, on 24 and 25 February 1997 in preparation for a Roundtable of Heads of Government of Commonwealth Africa on Democracy and Good Governance in Africa. They recalled the statement of the fundamental political values of the Commonwealth in the Harare Declaration of 1991, which included the protection and promotion of democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, and the subsequent Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme of 1995.
They recognised that Commonwealth Africa had made significant progress towards democratisation since 1991; however challenges remained. They welcomed the opportunity to propose solutions for the consideration of Heads of Government for the consolidation of democracy and good governance in Commonwealth Africa. They therefore agreed to place before Heads the following proposals, which they believed might have wider application within the association. That:
Constitutional Framework and Governance Structures
• The universally recognised ingredients of democracy, including the right of a people to elect freely the men and women who would govern them; the primacy of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary; the right to freedom of expression and association; and the continuing transparency and accountability of government, should be entrenched in the constitution.
• Effective equality for women, which is fundamental to sustainable democracy and good governance, should be entrenched in the constitution.
• Other agreed democratic values and principles, dictated by each country's history and circumstances, should also be entrenched.
• There should be separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.
• An elected assembly (parliament) should have the resources and capacity to monitor government, exercise financial control, make policy recommendations, as well as to make laws.
• The judiciary should have a special role in interpreting and safeguarding the democratic rights entrenched in the constitution.
• There should be created, after consultations among political parties and other relevant stakeholders, independent institutions for the consolidation of democracy such as:
- an independent electoral commission;
and, reporting to parliament:
- an ombudsman;
- an auditor-general;
- a human rights commission.
• There should be an impartial, apolitical, transparent and accountable public service.
• There should be effective elected local government with devolved powers, as an important foundation for democracy.
Democratic Culture
Democracy and the democratic process must be seen by all - governments, political parties and the citizenry - as much more than periodic elections, and therefore:
• There is a responsibility on government and opposition alike to cultivate a culture of tolerance, mutual respect and co-operation, which should also permeate to the citizenry.
• There should be acceptance of the universal conventions of political competition, including change of leadership through the ballot box.
• Equitable arrangements should be made following the transfer of power, including pensions and appropriate arrangements for leaders who have lost office or retired.
• There should be a responsibility on governments to support civic education, emphasising the rights and obligations of all citizens.
• These rights and obligations include the right of a democratically elected government to govern, but to do so in a manner which contributes to the consolidation of democracy. At the same time, the opposition has the right to be protected and to oppose, but to do so in a manner which upholds the constitution and the democratic order.
• Opposition parties, their leaders and elected representatives, have a right to protection and security.
• There is an equal responsibility on government and opposition parties to promote participatory democracy.
Electoral Processes
• A legal framework should provide for the free expression of the will of the people in choosing their governments, in a free and fair election.
• There should be mechanisms which enhance the validity and the consensual basis of the process - including a verifiable electoral register and transparent procedures for voting and counting.
• The independent electoral commission must be able to determine and implement the agreed procedures and rules of the electoral contest.
Political Parties
With the exception of the representative of the Government of Uganda, who argued that his country's history and circumstances dictated a different approach, all participants agreed as follows, that:
• There is a need for dialogue and discourse between the governing and opposition parties.
• Essential to any successful working of democracy within the state is that political parties should practice internal democracy, including the full participation of women.
• Political parties should receive funding from the state on a basis to be agreed.
• Political parties should see it as their duty to enhance national integration and cohesion and not exploit ethnic, racial, religious or other divisive tendencies.
The Media
• Equitable access for all political groups and shades of opinion to the media is essential for democracy.
Civil Society
• Sustainable democracy requires a viable and economically empowered civil society.
• Governments and political parties should encourage the development of organs of civil society.
The Role of the Commonwealth
• The Commonwealth should continue its work in support of democracy and good governance in all member countries, including through the good offices of the Secretary-General.
• The Commonwealth should explore the possibility of developing a model Code of Conduct for political parties, including in respect of the electoral process.
• The Commonwealth should enhance its support for capacity-building for institutions critical for democratisation in member countries.
• The Commonwealth should explore the possibility of developing the capacity to monitor and observe the implementation of the above measures.
Gaborone, Botswana
25 February 1997
97/07 25 February 1997
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