Civil Society Cluster: AHSI1

 

Involvement of Civil Society

Heads of State have agreed to the establishment of a Pan-African Parliament (PAP) as part of the African Union in order to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent and allow for parliamentarians to vote in their personal and independent capacity.

African Heads of State have agreed to additional measures regarding the participation of the African peoples in the activity of the African Union. The Treaty establishing the African Economic Community of 1991 already provided for relations between the Community and African NGOs, including the establishment of a mechanism for consultation with African NGOs. During the Lusaka Summit meeting in 2001 African Heads of State agreed that this structure, the Economic and Social Council, will be replaced by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) of the African Union—an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of the Member States of the Union. Elsewhere African leaders have agreed on the active and genuine participation of citizens of every country in the decision-making processes and that the conduct of public affairs must be fostered and facilitated. Civil society, Heads of State agree, contributes to democracy and their participation should be encouraged.