DPMF Publications:
DPMF Workshop and Conference Proceedings

Opening Statement 
By H.E. Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim Secretary General of The Organization of The African Unity (OAU)

I wish to thank Dr. Sadig Rasheed and Prof. Abdalla Bujra, Chairman and Director of DPMF respectively for having organized this conference on Democracy, Civil Society and Governance in Africa and For inviting me to address the opening session.  I am, indeed, honored to take part in this conference which brings together concerned Africans - experienced politicians and civil servants in their personal capacities, researchers and leaders of professional associations, non-governmental organizations an civil society groups to reflect on issues of crucial importance to our continent and its peoples related to democracy, civil society and governance in Africa.  You are here to analyze past and present trends in order to have a better understanding as to what modalities of democratic governance are likely to emerge in African countries in the years ahead and thus to help develop policies which could contribute to consolidate and institutionalize democracy and good governance in our continent.  This is a serious and important exercise and I, personally, look forward to the conclusions and recommendations of this forum. 

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of my personal views on this important issue of democracy and good governance and its prospects in Africa. 

I would like first to emphasize that we will be blind to our history if we think that the issue of democracy and good governance is new and that it is a phenomenon which has emerged recently with the demands of donors and as a necessary condition for effective implementation of programmes of economic reforms in African countries.  Indeed, democracy is not a concept which is alien to our societies.  If we look into our history, we realize that the basic principles of democracy are part of the values and beliefs of our peoples. Principles such as tolerance, respect for the sanctity of life, accountability of those who are in a position of authority and the participation of the people in the running of their affairs are part of our religious, political and moral values.  For reasons which still need to be addressed by historians and other researchers, at the center of which are the oppression and colonialism imposed on our people, these values have not been allowed to be nurtured and developed in our societies.  In fact, the anti-colonial struggle of the African peoples for freedom and dignity was basically a struggle for human and peoples’ rights. 

Put differently, colonialism and racial oppression were in theory and practice anti-democratic.  Those who inflicted on our people the misery and agony of subjugation were flouting with impunity every single principle of democracy and good governance.  The struggle for freedom and self-determination was a struggle for democracy and good governance as a prelude to socio-economic development.  When our people fought for their liberation - whether through political struggles or through armed resistance - they were fighting not only to regain their dignity but also to restore their rights on how they should be governed.  What I am saying is that when the African people fought and in some cases paid a heavy sacrifice for freedom, they did not do so merely as an opposition to colonial and racial domination - crucial and legitimate as the opposition was.  Beyond the refusal to be subject people was the determination to be masters of their own destiny.  The logical expectation was that true democracy would return in the aftermath of colonialism. 

Unfortunately, for considerations which are both external and internal to Africa, democracy and good governance were obstructed, muzzled and suppressed during the 1970s and 1980s in many of our societies in this continent.  Against this background, therefore, the African people should be given the credit for bringing back democracy and for committing themselves to the pursuit of the democratization process. 

I also wish to stress that democracy and governance are not static concepts.   They have, over the years, evolved, taking into account the socio-economic and historical conditions of the peoples concerned.  The democratic principles and values at the beginning of the century were different from those prevailing today.  In Europe, for instance, what was seen as the expression of democracy at the beginning of the industrialization era was quite different from what we know today of the practice of democracy in the European countries.  If we take, for example, the role of women in the European countries, we should not forget that they only obtained their political rights not very long ago.  Today, despite the considerable advancement of the cause of women in Europe, their role is not commensurate with the principles proclaimed in the constitutions and their socio-economic conditions are still inferior to that of men. 

One should not therefore be surprised by the status of democracy in our continent.  It is a reflection of the unique historical experience of our peoples and the manifestation of their socio-economic conditions.  The practice of democracy is likely to evolve in our continent and it is the mission and responsibility of forums like this meeting to propose ways and means for a speedy progress in this direction. 

Apart from the evolving nature of the concept of democracy and governance, I wish to underline the fact that democratic experiences are different from one continent to another, from one country to another and from one community to another.  Indeed, it is sometimes argued that democracy is a peculiarly western phenomenon that is not suitable to Africans and that African societies have cultural and social structures which are unfavorable to what is termed Western democracies.  I do not subscribe to this argument.  For to do so is tantamount to accepting the notion that there is European democracy, American democracy, Asian democracy etc.  Quite often, such arguments are given either by those in the developed world who are condescending to Africans or those in Africa who are bent on resisting the process of democratization. 

I personally strongly believe that there are fundamental democratic principles which are universal and therefore applicable to all including African societies.  I am also of the view that the application of these democratic principles, the form of democratic governance and the time it may take for good governance to be consolidated will be moulded by the level of economic development, socio-cultural values and historical experience of each society.  The democratic traditions of a nation are deep-rooted in its history and social experience and are different from those of another nation even if they are close to each other.  We are therefore most likely to have different modalities of democratic governance in different African countries as is the case among the European countries or other countries in the world.  Indeed, if France, Great Britain and the USA who do share common democratic values have different political systems with different democratic traditions and modalities, we should not expect African countries to follow the same democratic arrangements. 

The diversity in democratic practices does not however contradict the universality of democratic principles.  Despite our differences and our different backgrounds and experiences, we are all living in the same world which is becoming smaller everyday with the advance of science and technology.  We are today living in a world which is referred to as the global village where the problems of each individual are the concern of the whole community. 

Today, the problems facing peoples in various areas such as health, environment and security can no longer be contained withing borders; they are becoming problems of global concern in a world which is increasingly becoming inter-dependent.  In this context, Africa which is part and parcel of this global village must situate itself within the framework of universally accepted practices and norms.  Indeed there are universal principles which should be applied to each and every human being as a citizen of this world.  The life of an African is as precious as the life of a European or a Japanese.  The dignity of an African is as important as the dignity of an Asian or an American.  The basic principles of democracy such as the sanctity of life, freedom of expression and belief are the common heritage of the entire humanity and need to be observed, promoted and respected everywhere on earth.  There is clearly a balance to find between what is specific to each community or nation and what is universal.  This poses the challenge of leadership and governance at national, regional and continental levels which needs to be addressed frankly. 

At the national level, democratic governance is exercised through a complex web of institutions which must be built and strengthened.  Beyond the need for holding free and fair elections as the best way for the people to express their choice and will, there is a more crucial need to build democratic institutions to ensure the sustainability of democracy.  One of the most important of these institutions is a representative parliament responsible for making legislation and for checking on government activities.  Secondly, there must be a strong and independent judiciary capable of ensuring the primacy of the law.  Thirdly, there must be a professional, competent, neutral and nationally committed civil service.  Fourthly, there must be an independent but responsible media whose task is not only to inform as accurately as possible, to serve as a critic to the government, but also to educate the people on their rights. 

These important institutions are essential in ensuring that governments are accountable to the people and their representatives.  They are also important for the implementation of democracy and good governance for guaranteeing the rule of law based on the respect of certain principles such as: 

1.                  full opportunity for popular participation of all adult citizens in free and fair elections as well as in public affairs; 

2.                  regular free and fair elections to be held at both local and national levels; 

3.                  constitutional guarantees to be provided for checks and balances in the governments; 

4.                  effective enforcement of civil liberties and human rights 

5.                  freedom of competition between organized groups 

However, the strength and effectiveness of the democratic institutions will very from one country to another, depending on the strength or weakness of their respective civil society, particularly the organized interest groups.  This is an area where a lot needs to be done.  We, at the OAU, are committed to doing whatever is possible to sensitize our governments on the need to recognize the role of civil society in national endeavors.  We believe it is important to work closely with African NGOs and to support initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of civil society in our continent. 

To further consolidate and institutionalize democracy and good governance, there are other critical and essential components which are needed in a society.  Significant amongst these are the quality of leadership for sound management and a societal consensus over some core values about the society itself - what it is, what is and what is not acceptable to it, and what its vision of the future is. 

It is within the context of this need for shared societal values that I wish to address the problem posed by the ethnic, racial, linguistic and religious diversities of our continent and

their relation with the ongoing democratization process in our countries.  I wish to state here that I am of the considered view that these diversities should be used as a source of strength and not as a factor of division.  There is no doubt in my mind that, in the context of mutual respect and tolerance and within the framework of a political system based on common values and rules, the diversities of our societies will prove to be a powerful factor for progress. 

I am, indeed, conscious of the problems raised by ethnicity in our continent today.  I am however confident that through wise political leadership and the promotion of all-inclusive political systems, this factor of ethnicity could be addressed in the larger interest of peace, cohesion and unity of our societies.  For that, we should inculcate in our peoples a culture of tolerance which is essential to any democratic society.  Tolerance must be instilled in our children through the socialization process in the family and community and through the educational system.  Most importantly, the political systems of our countries must themselves be based on a culture of tolerance through which the different groups comprising our societies could learn to respect and appreciate each other, and agree on shared values and common rules to govern them. 

In this context, it is important that our political parties - those in government as well as those in the opposition - should endeavor to respect the rules of the game.  First and foremost, they must themselves show example by displaying a culture of tolerance.  The unfortunate situation which still prevails in some of our countries where those in government consider and indeed treat those in the opposition as enemies and vice-versa must be ended.  The political class should recognize that the real issue is not patriotism as such but differences of policies and approaches.  Being in government does not confer any additional qualification of patriotism.  Nor can those in the opposition claim to be any more patriotic.  Conditions should be created for our people to choose freely who should govern them and for what period. 

Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

In conclusion, I wish to reiterate my appreciation to the organizers of this conference.  I want to assure them of my support in what I call our collective endeavor to promote democracy and good governance in our continent. 

We should feel proud to be able to make a contribution to this noble objective in the service of our continent.  This important task should and can be promoted by the sons and daughters of Africa taking into account the specific conditions of our continent and having in mind, at the same time, that our peoples have to play their role and take their rightful place in this new and highly competitive world to which they all belong. 


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