By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
A high-level group of experts met in Windhoek last weekend to develop strategies that could facilitate the rapid ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
Organised by the Office of the Prime Minister, the workshop comes after African Heads of States early this year adopted the Charter at the 8th Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa.
The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Nangula Mbako, is an ideal tool to ensure that Africa is aptly placed and equipped to meet challenges during the process of economic reforms and recovery and consolidation of democracy.
Once the Charter enters into force, Mbako says, it will complement existing instruments to contribute much more effectively to the consolidation and promotion of democracy, the electoral processes and good governance.
Namibia signed the Charter in January 2007.
In an interview with New Era, the African Union Commission representative from the Political Affairs Department in Ethiopia, Dr Dia Mamadou, said 10 countries have since January 2007 signed the Charter but there is need for an additional five signatories for the Charter to be in force.
He added that the drafting of the Charter already took too long given the sensitivity attached to matters of democracy.
Mamadou attributed the delay in the ratification of the Charter to lack of peace in some countries and situations where elections are considered unfair, among others.
The Charter, he said, was adopted following concerns over unconstitutional changes of government resulting in insecurity, instability and violent conflict, which has characterised the African continent.
“The workshop is therefore crucial and it is a step in the right direction to facilitate the ratification and popularize it among various stakeholders to ensure its subsequent implementation,” Mbako said.
Despite that, Mamadou acknowledged the progress and efforts made by some countries in pushing for the speedy ratification of the Charter.
He added that since its adoption, the Charter has received substantive focus and enthusiasm across the continent.
“We hope that by June 2008 the Charter will be in force,” he said.
Mamadou said regional workshops will be conducted throughout the continent starting early next month to sensitize African states of the importance of the Charter.