A SECAM QUARTERLY SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

December 2013 to March 2014

Introduction

During the first semester of the first year of the project of Good Governance Department (GGD) of SECAM sent out a Quarterly Situational Analysis questionnaire to all regional Justice, Peace and Development Commissions of the Church in Africa. The first quarter was from December 2013 to March 2014. Three Regional Episcopal Conferences i.e. Interregional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) and Association des Conferences Episcopales de l’Afrique Centrale (ACEAC) have responded and the other four are still to respond. The instrument is meant to be used as an early warning system to monitor the issues and problems that local communities are facing throughout Africa. Also it will be used by GGD to come up with planned activities to help in bringing a desired change to a given situation, by using the Change Theory, see Table below:

Situation/Aspect	Continental Analysis
Economic Situation	IMBISA §  The countries face a variety of problems ranging from civil unrest, low productivity, low disposable incomes and bad governance. §  Caused by sanctions, bad governance, low Foreign Direct Investment, Negative built to operate (BOP). §  This has led to about 80% unemployment rate in Zimbabwe. §  This has affected mainly the poor women, men and children. §  There is thus greater need for lobbying and advocacy for Good Governance. §  IMBISA requires resources for carrying out evidence based lobbying and advocacy work, trainings and meetings for key stakeholders to discussions the best ways to solve bad governance problems prevailing in the region. AMECEA §  Discovery of gas and oil in most of the AMECEA countries is likely to boost the economic growth of these countries by to up to 10 percent. Macro- economic stability and micro-economic reforms have created a robust domestic economy. §  Establishment of women and youth trust fund in most of these countries has helped women to implement innovative and high impact programs. §  Inter-regional economic cooperation has seen an improvement in economic growth. §  The region has had some problems due to prolonged dry weather in most parts of the region, terror attacks, political rivalry and power struggles. §  Unpredictable weather conditions threaten food security as most of the AMECEA countries depend largely on agriculture. Most of the countries especially Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have been targets for terror attacks. This has led to many foreign investor keep off the current conflicts in South Sudan has a great negative impact in the economy. §  Most of the people affected by the agricultural gaps would be the people living in rural areas who normally depend on agriculture. §  Everybody in the region is threatened by these terror attacks but most especially those living in areas prone to attacks. §  To mitigate against these problems they are substituting agriculture with other forms of farming which does not depend on rain e.g. bee keeping, fish etc and introducing draught resistance crops to ensure food security. §  Also citizens in the countries faced by terror attack threats are now more vigilant some have even formed vigilant groups and reporting any unusual happening to the authority. ACEAC §  The political situation is negative. Indeed, it is marked by the paradox between the abundance of natural resources, macroeconomic performance which boasts the Government and the economic poverty of the people. The living conditions are deteriorating day after day. §  There is lack of political will for development and job creation. §  There is misuse of public funds, especially from the exploitation of wealth whose abundant and diverse natural resources that abound the country.                               §  The unbearable corruption that causes a loss to the exchequer §  There is a lot of impunity §  Non-compliance with the law which requires in particular that 40% of national revenues are transferred back to the provinces.   §  All segments of the population are affected by this sad situation (old, young, children, men, and women). §  To solve these problems, people have come up with some coping mechanisms. They have demonstrated a rare fit resourcefulness. Both in large cities and the rural areas, many people have embarked on commercial and income-generating activities (IGAs). Among these people many women spend a lot for the survival of their homes. Unfortunately, we notice in Kinshasa for example, the state is discouraging and chasing away all vendors set up along the streets. Food, goods have been confiscated and or destroyed. Large families are thus deprived of the means of survival, especially for reasons related to safety. §   Local authorities say they don’t have the means to meet the needs of local communities. The Government says it provides further efforts to improve the situation through the little increment of the national budget each year. §  The public, private sector and civil society have signed on, the National Anti-Corruption Pact on 09 December 2013 in Kinshasa. CENCO has always denounced this unacceptable situation, through messages. The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace (CEJP) and other various programs have contributed to the improvement of living conditions of the people. There is the joint program to fight corruption by tax compliance, the Participatory Governance program that aims to harmonize between the authorities and local officials and the public. It is for this reason that the CENCO focuses on the process of decentralization as the new management of the country. §  With the support of the European Union and Christian Aid, the CEJP leads a Promotion Project of participatory governance for integrated and sustainable development in the DRC. Given limited financial resources, this project involves initially five of the eleven provinces. This is Kinshasa, Bandundu, Equateur, Kasai Oriental and Kasai Occidental. The project is benefiting both local authorities and the population. §  Regarding the support, CEJP request interaction between local authorities / local councillors and local communities. Local authorities welcome and support in any way whatsoever any initiatives of the Church inorder to address the situation. The Government may also financially support these initiatives. §  The Regional and Continental Secretariats of SECAM can conduct advocacy for funding of these initiatives with the Government and international partners.
Political Situation	IMBISA §  There is serious political tension in Mozambique. §  Main political parties fighting It is an urgent issue which needs to be addressed, there is false peace in Mozambique. Some parts of the country have social unrest. §  This has mainly affected the poor, men and women as well as children. The innocent citizens are suffering most. §  IMBISA is engaging in peace building interventions in all the affected countries especially Mozambique. AMECEA §  Most of the countries in the AMECEA Region have made a milestone in terms of democracy. These countries have seen smooth power transition and events of post-election violence have reduced as mechanisms have been put in place to look into the claims of election rigging; and mow the claims are handled in a more mature and democratic way e.g. in Kenya when the former Prime Minister was not satisfied with the election results, the matter was settled by the Supreme Court. During this period, more women have assumed political positions and in the last general elections in various AMECEA countries more women have been elected to the parliament. §  The situation is therefore positive. §  There are political problems in almost all countries within the region of AMECEA because there has been a culture of corruption. There is lack of political good will among the political leaders especially where there interests are not assured. §  Despite many women occupying political positions, gender equality and balance is yet to be achieved. §  Some of the political leaders have their interests in heart and not the interest of the country. They want to cling to power at the expenses of the citizens. (Still have power hungry politicians). §  Due to corruption and poor distribution of natural resources, the poverty levels are increasing. §  To solve this problem, people are now more aware of their fundamental and democratic rights and they demand the same from the leaders. They are using this knowledge to demand for better services §  During this period, The Church in AMECEA, in conjunction with the local Commissions of Justice and peace has held capacity building workshops on good governance. ACEAC §  The political situation in the Region is very tense. Last year, National Consultations were held in Democratic Republic of Congo. They reviewed all the ills of the country and made recommendations to change the situation. Congolese expect the Government to take further options for this purpose. There is need to establish a Government of National Unity. §  The political situation is also tense because of the electoral process which has delayed and lack of financial resources. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made proposals for the conduct of provincial and local elections. Some, among others, the Catholic Church, voted against the proposals they accuse of still fragile young democracy. §  Bishops of CENCO recommended for the clearance of arrears as electoral a basic tenet for democracy and strengthening national cohesion. They recommended for provincial elections to be held in the first quarter of 2015 to establish legitimate institutions. Also they recommended that the reliability of the current electoral operations demarcation maps are made transparent and consensual in order to reassure the Congolese people. §  The Bishops also believe that the hypothesis of urban councillors’ elections, mayors, heads of sectors, and provincial members of the challenges to jeopardise the process of consolidation of democracy. Primary sovereignty would be marginalised in the process of appointing its leaders and its right to participate directly in public life would be eroded. §  There is also a greater of manipulation and corruption of votes. §   Thus, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution, in Article 197, the Bishops ask eagerly that elections at the provincial level as well as municipal, urban and local elections are, to promote grassroots democracy by strengthening the popular control of its representatives. §  The Regional and Continental Secretariats of SECAM can further the position of the Church to be heard and conduct advocacy in favour of expectations for national consultations and changes of holding and financing of elections at the Government and international partners.
Social, Religious and Cultural Situation	ACEAC §  It is clear that the economic and political situations have negative consequences on the social situation. It is marked by overall insecurity.
Environmental Situation	IMBISA §  The government and the church and all stakeholders are very concerned about the environment. Current policies are all emphasizing on preservation of our natural resources. AMECEA §  Despite the East Africa region being rich in natural resources that is the extractives, the management of the same is wanting §  This is due to lack of proper policy or outdated policies §  Natural resources are to some extent the reason why there is recurring conflicts between communities that are living in the areas that are rich in these resources. It is the main reason why countries go into war with the neighbour in the region. §  Environmental degradation has led to the prolonged draught which in turn is posing food threat.
The Role of Media	IMBISA §  The media in general is covering all events as they happen informing the public on what is going on. This is true for most of the IMBISA region. The media plays a very critical role. In some instances there is no freedom of expression, but the situation is improving eg Zimbabwe. AMECEA §  The media have played a very vital role in informing people’s opinion. The church media have played a significant role in ensuring that people get the accurate information and on t time. It has been used as an advocacy tool for good governance. §  Despite media being a strong tool of information, it has been accused especially the public and commercial media of inciting violence. In time of conflict journalists have been key in influencing resolution. Through responsibly written editorials and non-bias opinion they have been able to establish communication among disputant communities and have offered emotional outlet especially when tension is building up. ACEAC §  Private and public media are funds resonance positions of their owners.
Recommendations	IMBISA §  The church should be seen active in peace building missions in the region. §  Lobbying and advocacy work should be done. §  Promote dialogues between rivals to avoid war. §  Training and development (capacity building) of the general public on lobbying and advocacy. §  There are 5 IMBISA countries with elections this year 2014. It is important that IMBISA Election Observation Team be supported to be able to participate in Election Monitoring to ensure that elections are free, fair and credible. AMECEA §  A lot of capacity building needs to be done to the leaders and people in general on how to work for the common good of the nations. Church instruments that link the political leaders and the church leaders on the issues of governance e.g. Justice and peace and Catholic Parliamentary Liaison office need to be felt more in all the aspects of governance so that they can be able to identify the advocacy areas and act accordingly. ACEAC §  Promoting of the economies at the service of the people means to come up with solutions to the problem of poverty. §  Promoting governance based on the principles and values ​​that underpin governance and strengthen the fight against illicit enrichment of members of the Government by continuous monitoring of the evolution of their real, financial and material estate.  §  Advocate for the effective conduct of provincial and local elections.
Conclusions	IMBISA §  There is false peace in most of the countries in Southern Africa. Tight monitoring is required especially for those that will hold elections this year.

Conclusion

These responses will be shared among all the Regional Secretariats of the Church in Africa as part of networking and information sharing. The situational analysis has shown that Africa is a continent of paradoxes. The situational analysis comes at the backdrop of worrying signs of increasing internecine civil strife, political repression, struggling economies, poverty general instability and other forms of social insecurity. Though Africa is making progress on conflict resolution and expanding democracy, through its Peace and Security, Governance Architectures and the African Peer Review Mechanism more still need to be done to redress the situation.

The Church in Africa, particularly SECAM, should encourage the continent’s renewal and renaissance process, aimed at making a break with the present situation which is characterised by political instability, stinking corruption, deadening poverty and unprecedented underdevelopment. The Church should start addressing concerns over repressive, corruption-riddled governance characterised by impunity. Also the Church should recommend the Africa Union to take concrete steps to deal with civil wars, poverty and the threat of terrorist organisations such as Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al-Shabab in Kenya in order to remain relevant to Africans.

Lastly from the above situational analysis, it shows that Africa is beyond just a mere geographic expression of the map called Africa. It is an embodiment and articulation of the great aspirations of all those who live in it. It is an idea of self determination, free politics, culture and happiness. Sadly, the great people of Africa have been unwitting consumers to raw deals on account of betrayal by those in leadership positions entrusted with the authorship of a template of happiness and prosperity for the continent.