Africa Leadership Forum

 

JOINTLY WITH THE SECRETARIATS OF:

 

Organisation of African Unity (OAU)

 

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)

 

 

The Kampala Document

 

Towards a Conference on Security

 

Stability, Development and

 

Cooperation in Africa

(CSSDCA)

 

19 - 22 May 1991

Kampala, Uganda

 

 

Postal Address: P.0 Box 2286, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria,, Tel: 234 (0)39 72 25 21, Fax: 234 (0)39 72 25 24

E-mail: alf@alpha.linkserve.com, Website: www.africaleadership.com

 

 

                     

 

For the first time ever, the 1991 OAU Summit of African Heads of State and government acknowledged in its final communique that "there is a link between security, stability, development and cooperation in Africa". Leaders at the OAU Summit recognised that the problems of security and stability in many African countries have impaired their capacity to achieve the necessary level of intra-African and inter-African cooperation so as to attain tile integration of the continent, which is critical to the socioeconomic transformation of African countries. This important reflection in the final communique of African leaders derived from a current initiative for Africa to establish its own "Helsinki" process designed to suit the realities of tile continent and the specific circumstances of African countries.

 

In particular, the discussions and conclusion by African leaders on the whole question of security and stability in Africa was reached against a background of a historic gathering at the Kampala Forum, 19 22 May 199 1, which deliberated oil a proposal to launch a Conference on Peace, Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA). The Kampala Forum was attended by over 500 people including a number of current and former, African Heads of State and adopted the Kampala Document that effectively maps out a framework for governance and development in Africa in the 90s and into the 21st century. The Document simultaneously addresses the problem or security and stability in Africa and set forth the necessary process of democratization as a prerequisite for the peace and tranquillity Africa needs to sustain a sufficient level of cooperation for the integration and development of the African continent.

 

The Kampala Document was discussed both by the OAU Council of Ministers and the OAU Summit in Abuja. The compelling message of the Kampala Document to tile Abuja meetings was that "tile security and stability of each African country was inseparably linked with the security of all African countries" and that "Africa cannot-make any significant progress on any other front without creating collectively a lasting solution to its problems of security and stability".

 

In echoing the Kampala proposals for CSSDCA, President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia who, on behalf of all other African leaders, replied to the opening statement of the newly elected OAU Chairman, President Ibrahim Babangida of Nigeria, compared CSSDCA with the 'Treaty of African Economic Community (that was subsequently to be signed) and concluded that the two initiatives "represented the two sides of same coin". He emphasized, however, that CSSDCA, like the Treaty for the African Economic Community, should be implemented within the OAU framework.

 

A number of leaders, perhaps as a reflection of their own domestic situation - advised on the need for some caution in the implementation of CSSDCA, yet the OAU Council of Ministers and the OAU Summit both recognised the importance and the necessity of CSSDCA.

 

The Kampala Document represented a rare occasion where such i far reaching initiative has emerged, not from within the organs of the OAU or African intergovernmental organisation(s), but rather, in a gathering of many Africans from all walks of life under a non-governmental organisation - the Africa Leadership Forum. Therefore, quite apart from the far reaching fundamental changes called for in [lie Kampala Document with respect to the whole question of governance in Africa, such an important initiative from a gathering under a non-governmental Organisation faced a particularly unique situation because it has not Joachim Chisano of Mozambique to emphases at the Summit while speaking on CSSDCA - that important ideas in history including the "Helsinki" process (for Europe) have always originated from individuals

 

Regarding the implementation of CSSDCA. the OAU Summit decided that the Secretary-General of the OAU should:

 

a.  formally for-ward a copy of the Kampala Document to each OAU member state for any additional input such a member state may have;

 

b.  convene a meeting of a group of experts to reflect on additional suggestions/ proposals from OAU member states prior to the submission of the Document to the OAU Council of Ministers in February 1992 and oil to tile Summit in June 1992.

 

While no single African country opposed the Kampala Forum proposals at the Abuja meetings, procedural matters were at the heart of the agreement reached on the steps, for the furtherance of the CSSDCA process in Africa. An overwhelming majority of African countries having welcomed this initiative at an OAU. Summit level, and in recognition of an increasingly precarious security, situation and socioeconomic crises in the continental show any signs of wanting to delay the launching of CSSDCA. In consequence, it was recognized as being self-evident that unless (African leaders) collectively tackle the security and stability problems of the continent, Africa will have no chance for socio-economic transformation. Accordingly, Africa is clearly on the move to achieve its own "Helsinki" process within itself and between itself and the outside world that impacts and impinges on it.

 

The successful negotiation at the CSSDCA will open new vistas and establish a new era for Africa which will promote stability, prosperity and the de-marginalisation of Africa.

 

1. PREAMBLE

 

             We, for and on behalf of the people of Africa, the participants at the Kampala Forum on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa having assembled in Kampala, Uganda from the 19th day of May to the 22nd day of May 1991;

            

CONSCIOUS of the political changes which are taking place in Africa and other changes which are taking place elsewhere in the world and their impact on Africa;

 

MINDFUL of the serious multifarious problems which are crippling Africa's economic survival and progress;

 

RECALLING that in July 1990 the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) adopted a Declaration on Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and advised that the fundamental changes taking place in the world should guide Africa's collective thinking about the challenges they face and options available to them;

 

COGNIZANT of the fact that the recent geo-political changes that have also brought about the relaxation of military tensions between the two super powers and their allies have enhanced the trend towards political pluralism which has in turn created an environment conducive to the promotion of intra-and inter-state security and stability in African countries;

 

CONVINCED that the transition to political pluralism in African countries needs to be encouraged, supported and sustained;

 

REALIZING that there is need to transform the African Charter on Human and People's Rights as well as the African Charter for Popular Participation in Development into effective instruments for promotion and protection of human rights as well as for fostering genuine involvement by the people in their governance and management of their national affairs;

 

AWARE of the emergence of regional economic trading blocs in various parts of the world and the rapid advances in science and technology, and alarmed at the observable shift of resources from the Western industrialized nations to Eastern Europe and for the reconstruction of the Gulf States which jeopardizes resource flows to Africa;

 

CONCERNED that Africa cannot achieve economic and social progress at their present levels of external debt burden;

 

CONVINCED that the responsibility for security, stability, development and cooperation on the African continent rests not only with the people of Africa themselves but also on international cooperation, support and participation;

 

EMPHASIZING that it is timely and imperative to launch an effective process among African countries which would create a framework for preventing, containing and eliminating pernicious intra- and inter-African conflicts and serve as an instrument, for the management and resolution of such disputes and conflicts as well as for the sustenance of regional cooperation, integration and development;

 

HEREBY RECOMMEND to the heads of State and Government of African countries to launch a Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA) to lead to the adoption of the following principles, policy measures and a process for its implementation after due negotiations:

 

 

II. PRINCIPLES AND POLICY MEASURES FOR CSSDCA

 

A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 

I.

 

Every African state is sovereign. Every state respects the rights inherent in the territorial integrity and political independence of all other African states.

 

II.

 

The security, stability and development of every African country is inseparably linked with those of other African countries. Consequently, instability in one African country reduces the stability of all other African countries.

 

III.

 

The erosion of security and stability in Africa is one of the major causes of its continuing crises and one of the principal impediments to the creation of a sound economy and effective intra- and inter-African cooperation.

 

IV.

 

The interdependence of African States and the link between their security, stability and development demand a common African agenda based on a unity of purpose and a collective political consensus derived from a firm conviction that Africa cannot make any significant progress on any other front without creating collectively a lasting solution to its problems of security and stability.

 

V.

 

A Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA) should be launched to provide a comprehensive framework for Africa's security and stability and measures for accelerated continental economic

 

integration for socio-economic transformation. CSSDCA shall encompass four major areas henceforth called calabashes: security, stability, development and cooperation.

 

VI.

 

A new order embodied in the framework of CSSDCA must be created in Africa through a declaration of binding principles and a commitment to ideological independence which will guide the conduct of governance in individual African states as well as the imperatives of intra-African and inter-African relations. The implementation of the new order should seek an active partnership and positive involvement of the rest of the World.

 

The fulfillment in good faith of all the CSSDCA principles must be adhered to by all participating states within the context of any other obligations each participating member may have under international law.

 

B. SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES AND POLICY MEASURES

 

SECURITY CALABASH

 

The concept of security goes beyond military considerations, it embraces all aspects of the society including economic, political and social dimensions of individual, family, community, local and national life. The security of a nation must be construed in terms of the security of the individual citizen to live in peace with access to basic necessities of life while fully participating in the affairs of his/her society in freedom and enjoying all fundamental human rights.

 

Lack of democracy in which people freely participate in government, denial of personal liberties, abuse of religion, precedence given to military expenditure over other sectors of national life and the lack of proper administrative machinery for the control and management of public funds are some of the deep-rooted causes of insecurity.

 

The security calabash on CSSDCA will be anchored on some specific key principles to be adhered to by all participating member states;

 

i)            Conflict Prevention and Containment: Greater attention should be paid to measures to prevent or contain crisis before an eruption into violence confrontation;

 

ii)           Internal and external security for Africa must derive from a framework for common and collective continental security;

 

iii)          African governments must individually and collectively be guided by the principle of good neighbourliness and peaceful resolution of conflicts;

 

iv)          National and continental self-reliance in certain strategic areas covering both military and non-military including popular participation in national defence, is vital for Africa's security.

 

The security of the African people, their land and property and their states as a whole is an absolute necessity for stability, development and cooperation in Africa and must be a sacred and a primary responsibility of all Africans and all African governments individually and collectively, exercised within the basic freedoms and rights of the African people.

 

Security must be the first pillar of the CSSDCA process because of the organic links between the security of all African states as a whole and the security of each of them, arising from their common history, culture, geography and destiny which necessitates collective responsibility and action. In order to achieve local, national and continental security, certain principles involving a wide range of policy measures with focus on conflict prevention, resolution and a management process must be agreed, concluded and implemented under CSSDCA.

 

While giving due recognition to the provisions of the UN and OAU Charters with respect to the principles of good neighbourliness and non interference in the internal affairs of states, growing international concern for humanitarian causes and the experience in Africa of civil strifes and acts of wanton repression, demonstrates an increasing concern over domestic conditions pertaining to threat to personal and collective security and gross violation of basic human rights. The CSSCDA must aim at promoting and strengthening this welcome development to enable African countries to cooperate in ensuring the security of Africans at all levels.

 

Aside from military security, food self-sufficiency for Africa, and affordable resources to achieve self-reliance in energy, is as much a security matter as it is an economic priority. As a matter of regional security and socio-economic necessity, existing regional efforts (in the areas of agriculture and energy research and development) should be pooled under the CSSDCA process into two separate major centers - one to be charged with the responsibility of ushering in a "green revolution" for Africa and the other with the task of achieving a major breakthrough in specific renewable sources of energy especially solar energy.

 

The following policy measures to give effect to the CSSDCA principles on securities are recommended:

 

Mechanisms for Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration

 

There is, indeed, the urgent requirement to prevent conflicts and disputes from escalating into armed hostilities. This calls for the strengthening of conflict resolution mechanisms for negotiation, mediation, conciliation and arbitration at the governmental, political and diplomatic levels, within the framework of intervention. Africa under CSSDCA, should revitalize the operational effectiveness of the OAU Commission on Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration. In conformity with African tradition, the emphasis should be put on timely mediation and reconciliation.

 

Peace-keeping Operations

 

Building on the limited experiences of Africa and cumulative lessons of the United Nations' operations, and taking measures that would avoid the mistakes which have been committed in such instances, Africa under CSSDCA, should institute a continental peace-keeping machinery as an important instrument for the preservation of peace in instances which potentially or actually threaten the security of African state(s) or the continent as a whole. Such arrangements, however, should not preclude United Nations peace-keeping operations where necessary. In particular, the vital issues of:

 

a)        authorizing body for mandating the establishment, extension and termination of peacekeeping operations;

 

b)        command and control structures;

 

c)        administration and logistic support for operations;

 

d)        Funding systems; procedures for acquisition of troops; and

 

e)        modalities for rapid deployment in reaction to situations of aggression against participating member States should be well defined.

 

Confidence-Building Measures

 

To restore a lasting state of national and continental security, confidence building measures between African countries are called for under the CSSDCA process to cover inter alia exchange of information on troop locations and movements; joint military training; joint military manoeuvres; joint naval patrols, joint studies and seminars on sub­regional, regional and continental security issues.

 

Non-aggression Pacts

 

A more enhanced policy measure for continental security requires a non-aggression treaty among all African countries under the CSSDCA process, along the model of a similar treaty that already exists between the member states of ECOWAS. The non-aggression treaty among African countries should also incorporate commitment to defend each other in the event of external military aggression.

 

Lowering of Military Expenditures

 

The undertakings involving all the security preventive measures outlined above should appreciably reduce, if not substantially eliminate, inter-African tension and dangers of open military conflicts. Such collective effort must pave the way for a collective process of lowering of military expenditures in Africa under the CSSDCA process. Overall reduction of military expenditures by participating member states should involve actual reductions and ceilings in manpower and reduced expenditures on military hardware. Consideration should also be given to collective understanding of the type of military equipment justifiable for procurement or manufacture by African countries. In order to gradually build up measures of relative selfreliance in the military field as well, collective African effort should be undertaken under CSSDCA for the selective manufacturing of desirable military equipment for Africa's defense. Additionally, member States should undertake to report their arm imports and exports to the OAU Secretariat.

 

As an effective measure for national defence as well as strategy for reduction of military expenditure, national service schemes should be expanded to cover military training as well as encourage popular participation in defence.

 

Africa's Elders Council for Peace

 

To move Africa from the confinement of purely reacting to events, to a capacity of anticipatory and containment measures for its security, an African Peace Council should be formed and charged with the task of ensuring that peace and harmony reigned in the continent and a state of intra-African and inter-African tranquility is created and maintained. The African Peace Council under CSSDCA, should be pre-eminently comprised of the most distinguished personalities and African elder statesmen. The Council must be empowered under the CSSDCA and given discretion to effect a measure of intervention in national security problems of participating member states and determine appropriate actions which may involve reconciliation and mediation or recommendation of deployment of African peace-keeping operations or both. The Council should operate under the OAU framework.

 

STABILITY CALABASH

 

Promoting political and social stability in individual African countries will be a key component in the CSSDCA process. The stability calabash will have to be guided by certain important principles to be adhered to by all member states.

 

i)            Adherence to the Rule of Law: Governments will have to vigorously follow the provisions of laws or codes legislated by an assembly of freely elected representatives. No one can be exempt from accounting for his conduct when a law is breached.

 

ii)           Popular Participation in Governance: Active and genuine participation of the citizens of every country in the governance of public affairs has to be fostered.

 

iii)           Respect for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms: Promoting and protecting the rights and freedoms of the citizens of member states will be deemed vital.

 

iv)           The Establishment of Political Bodies: Political organizations should not be created on religious, ethnic, regional or racial basis and considerations and these should not be exploited by leaders.

 

V)          Transparency in Public Policy Making: Decisions relating to governance of public affairs should be freely discussed and choices assessed so that the public will be mindful of the risks and rewards associated with any action of government.

 

vi)           Religious fundamentalism, no matter from whatever religion, fosters instability. Governments must encourage the principle of separation of State and religion. Religion

must remain a personal affair.

 

To fulfill the CSSDCA principles on stability, African governments will have to initiate, design and implement policy measures, and strengthen institutions which adjudicate disputes, resolve conflicts and attenuate the possibility of violence.

 

There has to be a due recognition of the fact that a fundamental link exists between national security, stability and sustainable development and these conditions can only be brought about by democratic practice and democratic institutions encompassing full respect for human rights, official accountability and popular participation.

 

The following policy measures are recommended for implementation in fostering intra-country stability and cohesion consistent with the proposed principles:

 

Freely Promulgated Constitution with Bill of Rights Provisions

 

Every state should have a constitution that is promulgated after thorough national debate and adopted by an assembly of freely elected representatives of the people. Such a Constitution should contain a Bill of Rights.

 

Existence of Plural Political Structures

 

Every country would ensure that there is no hindrance to alternative ideas, institutions and leaders competing for public support. In this case of multiparty pluralism, this principle requires that every participating member should ensure the separation of party from the state.

 

Limitation to the Tenures of Elected Political Leaders

 

There should be periodic renewal of the mandate of political leaders. At the same time, the tenure of elected leaders in various branches of government should be constitutionally limited to a given number of years.

 

Security of Tenure for Officers in the Judiciary

 

Not only should the actions of the officers of the bench be unfettered by the legislative and executive branches of government, but their tenure should be guaranteed and provided for in the national constitutions. Decisions relating to the removal of officers from the bench should be exercised by a Judicial Commission. Independence of the judiciary must be effected through an inviolate tenure of offices, and through stable emoluments guaranteed by an act of parliament.

 

Annual Publication of Records of Compliance with Human

Rights Instruments

 

To promote vigorous observance by African Governments of the various international legal instruments to which they would subscribe or have subscribed, it would be essential that the performance of governments be monitored. In addition to whatever organs, individual governments may establish for this purpose, the charter and mandate of The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR) should be expanded for ACHPR to undertake an annual assessment of human rights record of each African country and publish its findings. The monitoring role prescribed for the ACHPR is not intended to be exercised only in situations of human rights violations but as an annual routine and applied to all African signatory states of the CSSDCA process. The establishment of African court of justice on Human Rights within the framework of ACHPR is recommended. The court will adjudicate between governments and people's rights. ACHPR should be funded separately drawing upon the funds of international organizations and other independent sources.

 

Signing, Ratification and Implementation of Legal Instruments for Protection and Promotion of Human Rights

 

An important element in fostering stability is to protect and promote human rights of individual citizens. This not only assures the individual of his rights and dignity but also enables him to actualize his full potential which itself is necessary for socio-economic development. Therefore, every participating state would be required to sign, ratify and implement African and other relevant international legal instruments in the field of human rights.

 

Establishment and Protection of Organs for Monitoring Accountability

 

Institutions that promote accountability in public service should be established. These include board of audits for public expenditure, code of conduct bureau for public officials and ombudsman. Once established, these institutions should be given adequate protection through measures that enable independent financing and guarantee tenures for the officers of the institutions.

 

Independence of Financing for National Institutions of Adjudication and Accountability

 

The financing of organs of adjudication and accountability (courts, audit board, code of conduct bureaus or ombudsman) should be paid from consolidated revenue funds not subject to arbitrary interference by executive fiat.

 

Independence of the Civil Service

 

An independent civil service having a guaranteed security of tenure, salary and pension with members nominated on professional grounds by an independent Civil Service Commission. Removal of a Civil Servant must be exercised solely by an independent Civil Service Commission.

 

Right to Own Property

 

A constitution approved by a freely elected legislature must guarantee the individual right to own property and the right to enjoy societies' socio-economic and cultural benefits.

 

Free and Fair Elections

 

The national constitution should stipulate inter alia that the citizens of participating members have the right to participate in free and fair elections in their countries through an election based on a secret ballot and universal adult suffrage. By the same token, every citizen of a participating member state has the right to stand for election of public office and participate in the affairs of the state. The presence of international observers in national elections is desirable as it will enhance the credibility of election process and results.

 

Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Detention

 

No citizen should be subject to arbitrary arrest or detention without trial or subject to trial and other forms of human or cruel treatment. Provisions for habeas mandamus and habeas corpus should be made in national codes or laws. Legal aid services for those who cannot provide legal services for themselves should be funded from public revenue. All participating African countries should remove from their statue books all laws authorizing detention without trial.

 

The Status of Women

 

All the existing laws that discriminate against women should be abrogated and juridical instruments and mechanisms that will guarantee and preserve the rights of women should be adopted. The United Nations Convention on the elimination of discrimination against women should be ratified by and applied in all African countries.

 

Youth and Education

 

The future of Africa will be in the hands of the youth of today. Educational systems should incorporate in their curricula teaching in African values, cultures, history, philosophy, etc. Research in African humanities should be given no less attention than the pursuit of science and technology. In the face of escalating education costs, strategies should be devised to ensure the acquisition of basic education by all youth. Education is a prerequisite to the full and effective participation of people in the democratic process and all efforts should be made to eliminate illiteracy.

 

Proportional Representation

 

With respect to electoral mechanism that promotes maximum participation of all groups in their Government, the principle of proportional representation should be adopted, taken into consideration the peculiar situation of each country. The principle of proportional representation should be applied for legislative elections. To foster stability in governance of national affairs, governments should ensure that in making appointments, due regard is given to equitable representation at the central, regional and local levels.

 

National Borders

 

To restore and maintain stability along national borders, bilateral treaties on non-aggression should be concluded and ratified by each African nation separately with each of its border neighbors.

 

Trade Union Rights

 

In order to ensure industrial peace and harmony which is a prerequisite for economic growth and development all governments should respect trade union rights in accordance with ILO conventions and recommendations.

 

DEVELOPMENT CALABASH

 

Africa must subscribe to some basic fundamental principles to fashion a common direction of development under the CSSDCA process.

 

i)           Development based on self-reliance is the only viable basis - in Africa's circumstances -for the internalization of a self-sustaining economic growth on the continent.

 

ii)           Rapid physical and economic integration of the African continent is a sine qua non to Africa's economic survival in the 21st century and prospects for socio-economic

transformation and competitiveness with the rest of the world.

 

iii)          Reliance on commodity production solely for export has been one of the major causes of Africa's economic crisis. Effective diversification both horizontal in terms of broadening the production base and vertically with respect to processing and marketing is

imperative for the socio-economic: transformation of the African economies.

 

iv)          Popular participation and equal opportunity and access must be promoted and sustained as a crucial basis for the realization of Africa's development objectives and strategies.

 

V)          In order to foster effective domestic partnership in development, leaders and the governed should have recognizable responsibility for various aspects of development. The Leaders should provide the vision that should guide development.

 

The development "calabash" is the raison d'etre for the CSSDCA process. Collective continental policy measures must aim at a development process that epitomizes the African person. A maximum harnessing of the energies and initiatives of people by unlocking and developing their capacity for imagination and developing their ability to participate in the definition and implementation of development goals; CSSDCA should create a truly people-centered development.

 

Africa's development policy measures must be based in the short-term on Africa's immediate struggle for survival in order to address the more excruciating long-term imperatives of socio-economic transformation. Out of pragmatic necessity, the CSSDCA process should only address limited but key development issues to ensure a realistic chance of success.

 

The following measures are recommended to give effect to the CSSDCA principles, under the Development calabash.

 

Human Resources Development

 

People are both the means and the desired end of the benefits of development. Africa's development is principally hampered by inadequate human capabilities. Priority measures by Africa under CSSDCA should highlight the relevant elements of the Khartoum Declaration on Human Centered Development and the Mauritius Declaration on education. The CSSDCA process should, in addition, embody the following major priorities on a collective continental basis in the field of human resources development:

 

1.        The adoption of programmes aimed at eliminating illiteracy across the continent by the year 2000.

 

2.         Increase in the allocation of financial resources to education and training by diverting a significant proportion of such resources now devoted to military expenditures to education.

 

3.        Adoption of national systems of meritocracy. In addition, appropriate levels of incentive and compensation for professionals and African civil servants must be introduced, to assist in curbing the brain-drain from Africa.

 

4.         Introduction of science and technology at the early years of education should be encouraged.

 

5.         Measures to achieve an overall improvement in the quality of education should be implemented and monitoring systems to ensure continuity in the enhanced quality of education must be developed.

 

6.         The adoption of clear policies of preference for using African talent thereby promoting the development of a critical mass of professionals to replace the expatriate technical skills that currently cost Africa in excess of $4 billion annually.

 

7.         Promotion of vocational and business training and management skills.

 

8.         Promoting the use of and support for existing and new regional and sub-regional institutions that serve as centres of excellence.

 

9.         Establishment of Human Resources skills bank for Africa for use in facilitating resource sharing.

 

10.      Implementation of the Mauritius Declaration on education.

 

11.    Harmonization of the continent's educational policies to improve the quality and

             relevance of education at all levels.

 

12.    Pool of resources for specialized training and expand student exchange    programmes especially for language training; countries with under-utilized universities should offer opportunities to others at a nominal cost.

 

Capacity Building and Development

 

Collective and coordinated continental policy measures in capacity building must first target development of capabilities in the area of governance; the nurturing and development of those with leadership potential; measures to reverse the decline and enhance the efficiency of government administration in Africa which must remain the hub for originating policies and strategies on both the process of governance and the direction of economic development Special policy measures under CSSDCA must be targeted towards a comprehensive development of African entrepreneurial capabilities. The strategy on entrepreneurial development should be buttressed by active government encouragement and support covering extensive exchange of visits by entrepreneurs and some form of technical cooperation among African countries.

 

Focus on entrepreneurial development must go hand in hand with deliberate policy measures for the development of endogenous institutional capabilities especially technical and other forms of private consultancies. Relevant continental professional associations must be strengthened. In this regard, considerations must also be directed to policy restrictions at three levels in the use of certain consultancies and in the award of related contracts: national consultants; continental consultants; and, others. National consultants will be included in any assignment involving the last two categories.

 

Major changes must be instituted to ensure accountability and the pursuit of modem systems of management. Among other measures to be instituted should include a system of orienting leaders at ministerial and senior levels and adoption of the African Charter for Popular Participation in Development.

 

Economic Transformation of Africa

 

There is need for complete restructuring of African economies to ensure in the long run a judicious combination of diversified agriculture together with industrialization as basis for sound African development.

 

Viable development in the long run must depend increasingly on the application of science and technology. Schools and institutions of learning should be made to place more emphasis on science -oriented subjects. Moreover, since technology is, in the main, within the prerogative of transnational corporations which appear to hoard it, African countries should initiate programmes and policies for the development of indigenous technology. This calls for huge investments of resources in Research and Development (R & D).

 

African countries should adopt liberal economic policies that will attract capital, a factor of production in which African States are enormously deficient. While encouraging privatization and divesting government of equity in public enterprises, the first option must be given to indigenous African entrepreneurs. If necessary they should be offered assistance in the take over of enterprises privatized. Part of this whole process is to ensure Africa's resource mobilization without which Africa's survival and development cannot be met.

 

If Africa is to achieve a rate of growth that fosters economic transformation, it will be necessary to adopt those policies and measures that firstly harness the continent's own resources, and secondly, provide incentive to attract investment both local and external. Specific policies such as an International Reporting System on capital flight aimed at the repatriation back to Africa of the continent's human and financial resources must be put in place.

 

This transformation measures to curb unemployment should be developed through such means as massive infusion of resources into the private and informal sector.

 

Finance Resource Mobilization

 

The CSSDCA process must, as a top priority, seek to mobilize financial resources for Africa's socio-economic development and cooperation through, inter alia, advancing a collective continental position on Africa's crippling external debt.

 

Changing circumstances reflected in favourable debt policy shifts by major creditors towards some debtor countries provide a realistic basis for implementing better strategies within the objectives of Africa's Common Position on the External Debt reached by the Special OAU Summit in 1987.

 

Increased efforts at mobilization of domestic resources should involve control of excessive consumption and adoption of measures to promote domestic savings.

 

Africa's financial mobilization process should also aim at the collective measures toward an operational common ground between IMF/IBRD supported SAPs in Africa and AAF-SAP as adopted by African leaders. These policy measures must seek changes in IMF's lending conditionalities (to Africa) that must both achieve large net balance of payments support and a measure of greater independent policy by African governments Appropriate strategies must be adopted for collective comprehensive policy measures to reverse the net outflow of financial resources from Africa based on a moratorium that must be secured on the external debt and improved arrangements with multinational lending agencies. Promotion of joint projects by two participating members or more for funding from external/ internal sources is a more practical measure in resource mobilization. The lending policies of the African Development Bank for joint projects by different sovereign states should be reviewed to devise a mechanism for substantial lending to such projects.

 

The combined effect of the various policy measures on financial mobilization should be geared to the restoration of Africa's import capacity for the necessary short-term recovery and development of domestic factor input for long-term socio-economic transformation.