If we reimagine what kind of Africa we want and how governance and peacebuilding can contribute to that, what would that look like? That was the topic of a launch event on Reimagining Governance and Peacebuilding in Africa held on 27 May and organized by the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA).

The launch event kicked off a consultative process that aims to develop a framework for UNDP’s governance and peacebuilding work in Africa for the next five years. Using UNDP’s Renewed Strategic Offer for Africa as a departure point, the framework will respond to the visible challenges and emerging changes relating to governance and peacebuilding in Africa.

Roselyn Akombe, Head of Governance and Peacebuilding at the RSCA, introduced the process and explained how the framework will contribute to the development of the new Regional Programme for Africa as well as the new UNDP Strategic Plan 2022-2025. She emphasized that in building the new framework, UNDP intends to listen to stakeholders, in particular the voices of citizens, people living in local communities and in the diaspora, and those whose voices are often excluded. “We want to interact with a variety of people and hear their views to ensure the framework is founded on real challenges and opportunities.”

The keynote speech was delivered by retired Chief Justice of Kenya David Maraga, who underlined the importance of the rule of law, human rights and justice for a people-centred approach to governance and the centrality of rule of law for democracy. He noted that although progress has been made on the democratization front with the growth of representative and inclusive governments, the continent needs fourth-generation governance systems that go beyond elections to build a social contract that outlines the mutual rights and responsibilities of citizens and what to expect from a capable state.

“The rule of law and respect for human rights will not only grant legitimacy to elected governments but is a pre-requisite for establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between the governed and the governing,” Justice Maraga stated.

A panel of four experts moderated by Mr. Eloho Otobo, former deputy head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), engaged participants in a lively discussion on elections, accountability, trust, corruption, inclusivity and the social contract.

The need for transformational leadership was highlighted by panelist Micheline Ravololonarisoa, an independent consultant with over 30 years’ experience in international development and women’s rights. “Transformational leadership is the missing link to resolve the paradox of an Africa that is vast and rich on resources and the poverty and insecurity of the African people,” she noted. Leaders need to understand that dissenting opinions are healthy in a political environment and that electoral systems are the highest expression of trust between those who elect and those who are elected, she further commented.

Tumi Jonas Mpofy, social justice activist and scholar, spoke about youth inclusion and underlined the importance of integrating youth issues in all discussions. On the question on how youth could be more involved in governance, she suggested that a true testament to placing youth at the centre would be to have youth appointed as deputy ministers in government.

Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim commented on the importance of the normative framework of democratic governance, speaking specifically on the issues of tenure elongation and zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes in government.

Dr. Decky Kipuka, fellow and lecturer at The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, spoke about local governance, service delivery and the social contract. He highlighted the role of taxation in strengthening the social contract as well as the need for leaders to feel accountable when using contributions from the people as opposed to when state revenues are only derived from natural resources.

Towards the end of the launch event, participants and speakers focused on the question of what this means for UNDP and its future focus. In the coming months, the Governance and Peacebuilding team will organize several consultations on different topics such as youth as active agents in governance and peacebuilding, conflict prevention, rule of law and human rights, elections, governance in the digital era and economic governance.

The consultative process will offer an opportunity for UNDP to nurture platforms for open and honest discussions about the future of the continent, learning from what has worked and what has not, hearing new ideas and perspectives and exploring innovative solutions for development.