The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is partnering with Commission’s Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and the Government of the Republic of Senegal for a three-day consultation that seeks to explore Africa’s evolving governance and democracy challenges and threats.
Dr Janneh, Executive Director, Liaison with Governments and Institutions in Africa for the Foundation, spoke at the opening plenary session under the theme: Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law before a host of global decision makers. The three-day dialogue will also examine the AU’s capacity to assist member states in consolidating democracy, strengthening the rule of law, constitutionalism and in promoting and protecting human rights and people’s rights. It will focus on the following key issues:
- constitution making and reforms in Africa: Trends, challenges and prospects
- preventing unconstitutional changes in Government and preventive diplomacy
- coup d’état, illegitimate changes in government and failure to hand over power and transitions
- the role of the AU organs, institutions and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in restoration of constitutional order and the rule of law; transitional government and power sharing arrangements
- effects of the North African uprising on the AU doctrine of unconstitutional changes in Government
- role of judiciary and constitutional courts in Africa in upholding constitutionalism and rule of law.
Voice of youth heard at the Governance and Democracy Dialogue
A youth consultation took place from 23-24 November 2013, on the margins of the African Union’s 2nd Annual high-level dialogue on Governance and Democracy in Africa. It explored Africa’s evolving governance and democracy challenges and threats. Young African parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, authors and youths engaged in civil society organisations in Africa met for two days in Dakar to harmonise and channel youth voices and perspectives into discussions on the state of constitutionalism and rule of law in Africa.
The consultation also engaged young people to initiate a process of engaging African young people in the crafting of the Africa 2063 Agenda. The outcome of this consultation is a youth position document which was presented to H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs, African Union Commission.
