Challenges & Perspectives on Democracy and Human Rights in Africa Ryan McCannell ~ Democracy & Governance Specialist ~ USAID Bureau for Africa March 28, 2008

2 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?

3 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

4 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.

5 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 Economic Growth - 5% Malaria 9% Family Planning 6% HIV/AIDS 49% Other Health 6%

6 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

7 What problems are we trying to solve? Challenges & Weaknesses Common to Many African Countries Culture of ImpunityWeak governance institutions Incomplete or Unenforced Legal CodesIneffective checks and balances Weak justice sector institutionsLack of transparency in government Human rights violationsRampant corruption Political violence and vengeanceGovernments unresponsive to citizens' needs Lack of consensus about rules of the political process Exclusion of disadvantaged groups One-party or dominant-party stateLimited or no citizen participation Uneven political playing fieldRestrictions 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

8 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 Unions Media

9 What are some recent accomplishments in 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 Sudan Helped Mali create 703 local government areas, and trained mayors, councilors, and citizens on how to identify, approve and fund local priorities Assisted 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 Africa Mobilized Guinea's civil society community to unite behind and push for a reformist prime minister, ending that country's recent slide into anarchy Funded community radio stations in northern Mali and Niger to improve the free flow of information

10 Democratization Trends in Africa From : 12 countries rated "Less Free" 14 countries experienced no change 20 countries rated "More Free"

11 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

12 Ryan McCannell, Democracy Advisor USAID Bureau for Africa / Thanks.