``CSOs should be part of integration process``

  1. Posted on Monday 2 November 2009 - 11:50
    foluoch
    Image of foluoch
    Fred Oluoch, AfricaNews contributor in Nairobi, Kenya Photo: Jan Bierkens
    As the political class in the East African region grapples with how to go about creating regional uniform standards of good governance, the question is whether the civil society in the region has the capacity to keep the member states in check.
    Burundi. At an elementary school. Photo: Jan Bierkens
    Despite the fact that Section 127 of the East African Treaty compels member states to involved civil society organizations in the development agenda of the regional trade block, a conference held in Burundi recently proved that members of the civil society are still not sure whether they will be allowed to play their role of keeping the political class in check.

    Given that the civil society forum was convened by the East African Community (EAC) secretariat in anticipation of the completion of negotiation on the common market protocol to be signed on November 20 by the five EAC member states, there was still doubt among the civil society organizations from the region whether the EAC secretariat should take the lead in creating a civil society forum that will keep it in check. This was proof enough that the hangover that the regional block is still driven by individual leaders is still yet to go away.

    This is despite the usually propagated line that unlike the initial EAC - that was dependent mainly of the good will of the three presidents of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda - the revamped regional block is operating on the basis of a people-centered and business-driven integration. Secondly, Burundi and Rwanda has joined the club and the scope of decision-making has significantly widened the level of consultations and it is no longer a talking of the three founder members.

    Article 127 requires the partner states to promote continuous dialogue with the private sector and civil society at the national level and at that of the community to help create an improved business environment. In part 3 and 4 of the same article, the partner states agree to promote enabling environment for the participation of the civil society in the development activities within the community

    The Bujumbura forum

    As a result, the EAC secretariat has been conducting national sensitization and awareness creation workshops for civil society organizations in all partner states beginning 2009, which culminated into the Bujumbura forum. The meeting was meant to establish networks for that will ensure continuous engagement with the civil society within the institutional framework of EAC.

    But even through the civil society, by nature, is supposed to generate policy options for governments, play a watchdog position, and act as a bridge between communities and state institutions, this role has never been fully exploited at the regional level.

    The rule says that for any non-governmental organization to gain permanent observer status at the EAC, it must be registered in all the five partner states. This gives broader outlook and avoids attracting briefcases NGOs.

    Still, very few NGOs at the moment have the capacity to maintain significant presence in all the five member states. The advice from the EA secretariat was that the civil society sector should rethink their relations with regional bodies, redefine their strategies and see how they can seize every opportunity to become part and parcel of the integration process.

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