By the Administration and Human Resources Management ... · a survey, summarized in the following UReport, on behalf of the Group of Child Focused Agencies (African Child Policy Forum,

By the Administration and Human Resources Management Directorate/AUC

Corruption activities account for 5% of the USD 50 billion that Africa wastes on illicit funds flow, according to the Mbeki’s report. Furthermore, 94% of the 34,000 African children interviewed in

2018 admitted that corruption has a negative impact on their lives, as reported by UNICEF. And regrettably, only 5 African countries scored above 50 out of 100 on good governance, according to Transparency International’s annual report.

Though these figures show how corruption has gotten out of hand within the African continent, they do not always accurately reflect the everyday reality of the African citizen in the face of this scourge. Beyond figures, the human aspect of corruption should not be overlooked.

Among the 94% children who complain about corruption, we often forget the one who could not secure a place at school because his/her parents refused to bribe the person in charge, or the one who had to pay the teacher in order to get good grades, etc.

However, the human aspect related to corruption is not always so grim.

There are women and men courageous enough to take a hard stance against this issue. In developing policy, raising awareness, refusing to be corrupt, these women and men strongly believe there is hope to reverse the current trend and lend a hand in dealing with corruption.

This magazine aims to celebrate the commitment of these AU women and men and showcase the progress made through determination and perseverance. By way of example, today 70% of Member States have ratified the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption.

This magazine also endeavours to remind that despite the undeniable progress, much work remains to be done, and we all have our share of responsibility in this struggle.

Enjoy your reading!

Mr. Amine Idriss Adoum Director - Administration and Human Resources Management

Infographic: a glimpse of the extent of corruption in Africa

Theme Champion for 2018

Insight: Hon. Begoto Miarom

AU theme of the year : winning the fight against corruption

Case study: African Children’s perception of corruption

People behind the scene of the AU-ABC - Part 1

How Africa plans to combat the corruption and how the United Nations plan to support Africa?

People behind the scene of the AU-ABC - Part 2

How to become a member of Credit Union and get a loan?

AU Organ presentation: AU-ABC

Interview: Hon. Linda Hlongwa-Madlala

Focus: Efficacy for fighting corruption - evidence from 36 African countries

African Union history

Events & family life

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITORIAL TEAM: Amine Idriss Adoum Patrick Abdoulaye Man’ke Andry Rasoanindrainy Ange Paterne Assoumou

CONTACT: [email protected] (251) 11 551 77 00 Ext :4310

“Bato Malamu Sankofa Wata-wata”, is a combination of three African languages : Lingala (Bato Malamu - Good people), Asante Twi (Sankofa - return to the good history), and Hausa (Wata-wata - monthly).

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Transforming the African Unionto drive the Africa We Want


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H.E. Muhammadu Buhari is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria since 2015. He is a retired Major General in the nigerian army and

previously served as the nation’s Head of State from 1983 to 1985.

In December 2014, he emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the March 2015 general elections. H.E. Muhammadu Buhari won the election, defeating the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. This is an historic event, as for the first time of the history of Nigeria, an incumbent president lost to an opposition candidate in a general election. He was sworn in on 29 May 2015.

The president mounted an offensive against entrenched interests. In 20 months as the Head of State, about 500 politicians, officials and businessmen were jailed for corruption during his stewardship. Detainees were released after releasing sums to the government and agreeing to meet certain conditions.

His administration enacted three decrees to investigate corruption and control foreign exchange. The Banking Decree of 1984, has granted the Federal Military Government the power to freeze bank accounts of persons suspected to have committed fraud. The Recovery of Public Property Decree allowed the government to investigate the assets of public officials involved with corruption and establish a military court for the trial of such persons. The Exchange Control Decree stated penalties for violators of foreign exchange laws.

THEME CHAMPION FOR 2018 H.E. Muhammadu Buhari

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Adapted from the original text/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammadu_Buhari

Photo by Dan Kitwood -WPA Pool/Getty Images



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Corruption is part of the underlying cause that hinders development, raises unemployment rates and increases illicit financial flows in Africa.

In this context, the Member States of the African Union adopted for 2018 the theme entitled “Winning the Fight against Corruption: a Sustainable Path for Africa’s Transformation’’. This fight is in line with the Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063 which endeavors to install a continental culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights and rule of law.

This theme is interrelated with the previous one, which focuses on ‘’Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through the Investment in Youth’’, as youth play an important role in building a transparent and accountable environment for the future.

Furthermore, the fight for corruption is completely consistent with and occurs in parallel with the African Union Reform process championed by H.E. President Paul Kagame. Both aim essentially at building a more efficient organization which addresses proficiently the needs of the continent citizens.

By Ms. Hagar Azzooz

Ms. Hagar Azzooz is a Youth Engagement Analyst with African Governance Architecture (AGA), Department of Political Affairs.

INSIGHT:

HON. BEGOTO MIAROM - AU-ABC CHAIRPERSON

Honourable Begoto Miarom has been appointed Chairman of the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption this year. He has in-depth knowledge of anti-corruption matters with over ten years’ experience in public service, including as Director General for the Promotion of Good Governance and the Prevention of Corruption in Chad, and as Deputy Secretary General of the Court of Auditors, where he is serving until now. Today, he intends to put to work for the continent the vast expertise he acquired while working for a member country of the African Union.

Mr. Chairperson, 15 years after the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption, where are we today?

Today, about 70% of African Union Member States, i.e. 39 out of 55, have ratified this Convention. Mauritius also recently confirmed their willingness to sanction it while we participated in a regional conference there.

Our goal is that during this year of fighting corruption, all African Union Member Countries ratify the Convention, because by doing so, they express their willingness to implement the

continental commitments deemed necessary to prevent corruption in Africa and address this insidious epidemic.

Speaking of this African year of fight against corruption, do you mind sharing the scheduled activities to celebrate it?

As African citizens, we must all feel involved in fighting corruption. In choosing the activities, we target different types of profiles: the youth who are the future of the continent, our leaders who lead us in this fight, as well as the various

stakeholders who need to harness their forces for better synergy.

Two major events, among others, will take place in July. A continental Youth Congress gathering 55 countries will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, to raise awareness and empower our youth to help eliminate this scourge. In addition, July 11 was declared African Day of Fight Against Corruption.

In November, we plan to bring together the prominent figures of the continent for a high-level dialogue. In the meantime, we are drawing up an assessment of the fight against corruption in Africa through the Annual Dialogue of the Anti-corruption Authorities.

To secure the commitment and engagement of each member of the African Union staff in this fight, do you have a specific message to convey?

In view of the figures relating to corruption in Africa, we understand that it is of outmost importance to act. The choice of the theme of the year, however, reminds us that action is not enough: we must act right away and move forward together. Failing to do so essentially means letting our continent wither away.

AU THEME OF THE YEAR:

WINNING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

In essence, the actions carried out during this anti-corruption year underline how much corruption costs the continent and how it affects its political, economic, and social spheres. Moreover, the stress on corruption comes at a symbolic moment,15 years after the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption (AUCPCC). The purpose of this Convention is to identify the acts and practices classified as corruption. It highlights that fighting against corruption requires a better access to public services, and an improved management of public finance.

To implement the fight against corruption on the field, the African Union is assisted by the Regional Economics Communities at various levels. As regards to orientation and strategies, the organization relies on the Department of Political Affairs, the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC), and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) Platform. Additionally, the African Union promotes the ratification of the AUCPCC at the level of Member States.

The importance of fighting corruption is emphasized by the Mbeki’s report on Illicit Financial Flows, highlighting how corruption and weak transparency mechanisms allow tax avoidance, abusive transfer pricing, and many other ways

used to prevent Africa from reaping its resources dividend. Africa loses around USD 50 billion annually through International Financial Flows (IFFs), which could be used to create jobs for the youth who are now forced into illegal migration seeking for greener pastures.

From left to right: Mr Ibrahim Magu, H.E. Cessouma Minata, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, Hon. Begoto Miarom in group photo after the launch of the theme of the year 2018.

Question 2

In your opinion, how does corruption affect children?

It reduces the quality of education

OtherIt impacts access to healthcare

It stops people who harm children from being brought to justice

www.ureport.in

It reduces our trust in government

Have you or your family been affected by, or witnessed a person in power

displaying corrupt behavior?

What should the AU / African Governments do?

53%

20%

15%

7%5%

Question 3 Question 4

37%NO YES

63%

Increase wages in key sectors such as education and health to avoid corruption.

Increase transparency of budgets and share information about how public money is spent

Establish audit systems for the management of public money

Ensure that all people who are corrupt are held to account and punished

Set up toll-free lines and other anonymous tools for people to report corruption

Invest more in things that are important to children such as education

CASE STUDY: AFRICAN CHILDREN’S PERCEPTION OF CORRUPTION

In the fight against corruption, children voice matters as they are the future of the continent. UNICEF conducted a survey, summarized in the following UReport, on behalf of the Group of Child Focused Agencies (African Child Policy Forum, ChildFund, ICRC, IPPF, Norwegian Refugee Council, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, UNICEF, VSO, and World Vision), which are working closely with the AU. More than 34,000 children participated in the poll.



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Martha Munthali was working for the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development in Malawi when she was selected to be part of her country’s

delegation to attend the African Union Summit in 2008. Since then, she felt the call to be part of the citizens driving the continental agenda.

Martha strongly believes that with determination she can make things happen, so she started applying for jobs within the continental organization. She had to persevere for five years to get the position of Policy Officer in the Office of the African Union Deputy Chairperson. After a second experience within the Learning and Development Unit, she is currently Senior Policy Officer, in charge of Economics and Statistics within the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption. She contributes to the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the impact of anti-corruption programmes from a socio-economic perspective.

It is no accident that Charity Hanene Nchimunya became the Executive Secretary of AU-ABC; she upholds principles of integrity and has a vast experience and knowledge relating

to the fight against this scourge. She believes that though corruption is widespread in the continent, it can be reversed.

This fight she leads began in her country when Charity worked in the Zambia Anti-Corruption Commission from 2002 to 2013. She then wanted to further fight corruption at a continental level, and after years of perseverance, she finally joined the African Union in 2016.

To encourage each and every employee of the organization to lend a hand in tackling corruption, Charity says: “Keep going, work hard and despite the challenges, I believe one day we will win the fight against corruption”. Furthermore, she strives to be a model of probity to help motivate her colleagues in this endeavour.

Nevertheless, fighting corruption is not an end for Charity. Her dream is to make a difference in the lives of the thousands of people living in poverty due to the effect of corruption.

Mrs. Charity Hanene NchimunyaExecutive Secretary

Seleman iKinyunyu’s life principles could be summed up in one sentence: “tenda wema nenda zako” a Swahili proverb which means “do good and keep moving”.

With this in mind, he dreams of contributing meaningfully to the transformation of communities. To bring about such a change, he earned a law degree and chose to focus his efforts in promoting human rights and good governance.

Selemani first joined the African Union in 2014 and started with the African Court before moving to the Advisory Board on Corruption in 2017. He serves currently as a Senior Policy Officer for Political and Legal Affairs and is in charge of advising the Board on legal and policy matters relating to the fight against corruption. This includes reviewing country reports, engaging in high level advocacy missions and preparing knowledge products related to the fight against corruption.

Mr. Selemani Kinyunyu

Senior Policy Officer

Dorica Kgwadi is a warm and convivial person. Relating well with others is extremely important to her, though staying true to herself is first and foremost in her mind.

Dorica had a good position within the European Union before working for the African Union because she desired to exercise her skills and knowledge to benefit her continent.

Dorica believes she contributes to the fight against corruption as a Finance and Administration Officer, by making sure people follow the rules and regulations, as these are areas where corruption is widely prevalent.

Mrs. Dorica Kgwadi

Finance and Administration Officer

PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENE OF THE AFRICAN UNION ADVISORY BOARD ON CORRUPTION (Part 1)

Mrs. Martha MunthaliSenior Policy Officer

(...)



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Africa’s development priorities identified in the African Common Position on the post-2015 development agenda were enshrined during the reporting period

in several continental and global landmark agreements, including the African Union Agenda 2063, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Agenda.

The continent has embarked on the first ten-year implementation plan for the African Union Agenda 2063. The Agenda’s people-centred approach promises to enhance inclusive economic and social progress and its emphasis on agriculture development, infrastructure development and industrialization provides critical drivers for job creation and poverty eradication.

The United Nations (UN) system in supporting the efforts of the African Union, has created a Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa (RCM-Africa) as a platform for the UN system to support the African Union (AU) and its organs in the implementation of appropriate policies to promote Africa’s development in accordance with the purpose and principles of the Constitutive Act of the AU and its NEPAD programme. Furthermore, through the mechanism, the UN supports the AU and its Member States in building the capacity to implement global, and continental development goals.

Under the theme: “United Nations system support for the African Union in winning the fight against corruption: a

sustainable path to Africa’s transformation” the Second Joint Meeting of the RCM for Africa and the Regional United Nations Development Group (side event of the 19th Session of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa), was held between 12 and 13 May 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The meeting which gathered experts from African Union Commission, UN agencies, member states of the African Union, and academia deliberated on many issues of importance to Africa. Below is a summary of them:

• UN System Support of the AU in Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.

The session underscored the importance of the African Union, the United Nations and the Regional Economic Communities working together to weed out corruption at all levels in order to maximize the value of Africa’s resources and to create an enabling sustainable path to the continent’s socioeconomic transformation.

HOW AFRICA PLANS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION and how the United Nations plan to support Africa?

• The Nexus between Corruption and the implementation of Agenda 2063: The Africa we Want and 2030 Agenda.

The Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are Africa’s leading development agendas. With goals and objectives planned and set, the session examined how serious corruption threatens the implementation of the two agendas at a macro and micro levels.

• Curbing Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) for Development.

IFFs are defined as the cross-border transfer and utilization of monies illegitimately earned through the violation of exchange control regulations and tax agreements. If Africa’s sustainable development goals are to be financed primarily by domestic resources, IFFs pose a threat on this determination by eroding a country’s ability to raise the tax revenue required. Improving natural resources governance and aligning revenue to finance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals are some of the policy options aimed at curbing IFFs and improving domestic resources for development. The session highlighted the progress made in curbing IFFs and explored measures to tackle them.

• The threat of Corruption to Political Stability, Peace and Security.

Corruption has been widely recognized as a threat to peace and security in Africa. It acts as a major constraint to peaceful development in countries that are recovering or in the midst of conflict. Structural corruption undermines State institutions. While the poor often suffer the most, corruption leaves ordinary citizens disempowered, unable to seek justice in courts or keep politicians accountable. This leaves citizens in a deeper state of impoverishment and can sow the seeds of conflict by dissolving any ties of loyalty between people and a State seemingly represented by private interest.

• Strengthening the RCM-Africa and the UN Development Group.

Presentations were focused on summarizing the Joint United Nations-African Union Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security, the United Nations-African Union Framework for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 and General Assembly resolution 71/254 on the Framework for Renewal United Nations-African Union Partnership on Africa’s Integration and Development Agenda

2017-2027. Discussions were focused on strengthening the Mechanism for the implementation of the frameworks and the achievement of Africa’s transformative agendas.

• Presentations and discussion on the progress of the RCM-Africa and updates on and adoption of the workplan.

The session reported on the achievements of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa and sub-regional coordination mechanisms and on work done to strengthen collaboration in the United Nations system in support of the priorities of the African Union and those outlined in its priority programmes, as well as on the linkages with the United Nations Development Group. This session included the following:

• Progress report of the Mechanism;

• Report on the implementation of the Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda;

• Report on the African Forum on Sustainable Development for follow-up and review of the Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda;

• Implementation of Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda;

• and Adoption of the United Nations-African Union joint programme for 2018-2019.

The importance role of the media as Fourth Estate of the Realm was underscored in all presentations to fight corruption and to support the popularization of Agenda 2063 and 2030 Agenda.

The Secretariat of the Regional Coordination Mechanism for Africa presented the draft outcome document and participants considered and adopted the Report which will be published soon.

In conclusion, we emphasise that effective implementation of these agendas will require coherence and complementarity between global, continental, regional, national and local efforts.

By Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar

Photo by Getty Images

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karras holds a Master of Science in Economics (Automated Management Systems). With eleven years of services within the African Union, he is currently a Communication Officer within the Directorate of Information and Communication.



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Stephane Ndilmbaye is one of those employees who give more than what is asked of them. He was recruited as a Documentalist and Administrative

Assistant at AU-ABC in 2013. He joined the organization with the objective of “contributing to give a more decent life to those who are suffering in Africa”.

This mission inspires Stephane to do more: he had to manage the website for example, and the office stock or sometimes the operations. He performs these tasks without hesitation and with enthusiasm.

Dinka Hussein Ramadhani is a perfect example of those who have a clear idea of where they want to go, and how to seize opportunities. She aspires to give the

less fortunate a reason to hope, dream big and smile again. That is why she pursued her first degree on International relations at the University of Dodoma in Tanzania.

To achieve her altruistic dreams, she set her mind on working within international organizations. Soon after she got her Bachelor’s degree, she started looking for organizations where she could finally put her knowledge to work. During an international gathering, she asked for information on how to apply for jobs within AU. She sent her CV to the AU ABC offices and was given an opportunity to join the organ.

She’s been working for the Economics and Statistics unit as an intern for three months now. She assists in developing country anti-corruption profiles for African Union Member States and collects, analyses and integrates socio-economic data and information to support the development of evidence-based policies in order to promote anti-corruption programmes.

Ms. Dinka Hussein Ramadhani

Intern in the Economics and Statistics Unit

“Change-agent, servant leader, God-fearing” are the first words coming to James Leonard’s mind to describe himself. These traits largely account

for his being selected as a Fellow of the Young African Leadership Initiative - a programme, initiated by former US President Barack Obama, which aims at investing in the next generation of African leaders.

With a fresh degree in the field of Business Administration in Accounting and a wide experience in working toward the development of his country, James Leonard wants to serve at a higher level. With this purpose in mind, he joined the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption three months ago. As an intern in Finance and Administration, he came not only to learn and gain further experience but mostly to serve the continent to the best of his abilities.

Mr. James Leonard

Intern in Finance and Administration Unit

Christopher Katuu always dreamed of being part of an institution that can bring change in Africa, as he believes Africans are well placed to solve the

problems of the continent. He has no doubts that if the organization is well operated as a continental body, “it can place African countries in the Map”.

These beliefs urged this Kenyan citizen to join the African Union in 2011, when he started at the African Union Mission for Somalia (AMISOM) as a database operator based in Nairobi. He is now IT Specialist in the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption, and plays a key role in the organ showcasing the work of AUABC through website and social media updates. His work has also an important impact in the internal work proceedings as he ensures other IT needs are addressed for the ABC team to perform their tasks effectively.

Mr. Christopher Katuu

IT Specialist

PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENE OF THE AFRICAN UNION ADVISORY BOARD ON CORRUPTION (Part 2)

Mr. Stephane Ndilmbaye

Documentalist

FOR REGULAR STAFF1. The ceiling for loans to members with over 3 years of service at the AUC shall be USD 150,000.2. The ceiling for loans to new members on probation shall be USD 20,000. 3. Additional (top-up) loan up to USD 45,000 may be granted to new members who have successfully completed their probation period and the repayment period should not exceed 48 months.4. Additional loans (top-up) may be granted to a member who has reimbursed at least 20% of his/her total loan.

FOR SHORT-TERM STAFF1. The ceiling for loan to a new member who is in his/her �rst year shall be USD 20,000.2. Additional loans (top-up) may be granted to a member who has reimbursed 20% of his/her total loan.

Send a memo to the Chair-man of the Credit Union who will submit your request to the Manage-ment Committee for consideration.

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APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP LOANS

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INTEREST ON LOAN

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REPAYMENT PERIOD FOR LOAN

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HOW TO BE A MEMBER OF CREDIT UNION AND GET A LOAN ?



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The African Union Advisory Board on Corruption is based in Arusha, Tanzania and is an autonomous organ established within the AU, in terms of Article

22 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption.

The Board is the emanation of The Convention and it was created on May 26, 2009. This organ is the unique continental organization mandated by the African Union to deal with corruption and related themes in Africa.

Vision

The AU-ABC’s vision is to be, by 2020, “an efficient organization that provides pertinent support to Member States in the sustainable implementation of the AU Convention and the fight against corruption in Africa”.

Mission

The mission of the AU-ABC is to:

1. Promote and encourage adoption and application of anti-corruption measures on the continent;

2. Collect and document information on the nature and scope of corruption and related offenses in Africa;

3. Develop methodologies for analyzing the nature and extent of corruption in Africa, and disseminate information and sensitize the public on the negative effects of corruption and related offences;

4. Advise governments on how to deal with the scourge of corruption and related offenses in their domestic jurisdictions;

5. Collect information and analyze the conduct and behavior of multi-national corporations operating in Africa and disseminate such information to national authorities;

6. Develop and promote the adoption of harmonized codes of conduct of public officials;

7. Build partnerships with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, African Civil Society, governmental, Intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to facilitate dialogue in the fight against corruption and related offences;

8. Submit a report to Executive Council on a regular basis on the progress made by each State Party in complying with the provisions of this Convention;

9. Perform any other task relating to corruption and related offences that may be assigned to it by the policy organs of the African Union.

Mandate

The mandate of the Board is to promote and encourage the adoption of measures and actions by State Parties to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in Africa as well as to follow-up on the application of those measures and submit a report to the Executive Council on a regular basis on the progress made by each State Party in complying with the provisions of the Convention.

The convention was adopted in Maputo on July 11, 2003 to fight rampant political corruption on the African continent. It represents regional consensus on what African states should do in the areas of prevention, criminalization, international cooperation and asset recovery. The Convention covers a wide range of offences including bribery (domestic or foreign), diversion of property by public officials, trading in influence, illicit enrichment, money laundering and concealment of property and primarily consists of mandatory provisions.

Composition of the Board

The Board is composed of 11 members, each proposed by States Parties and elected by the Executive Council from a list of experts. The Board Members should be of:

• Highest integrity and impartiality,

• Recognized competence in matters relating to preventing and combating corruption and related offences.

For the election of Board Members, the Executive Council shall ensure adequate representation of women, and equitable geographical representation. The members of the Board are independent personalities who serve in their personal capacity. They are appointed for a period of two years, renewable once. The first Board was appointed for the period 2009-2011.

AU ORGAN PRESENTATION:THE AFRICAN UNION ADVISORY BOARD ON CORRUPTION (AU-ABC)

The objectives of the Convention are to:

1. Promote and strengthen the development in Africa by each State Party, of mechanisms required to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in the public and private sectors.

2. Promote, facilitate and regulate cooperation among the State Parties to ensure the effectiveness of measures and actions to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in Africa.

3. Coordinate and harmonize the policies and legislation between State Parties for the purposes of prevention, detection, punishment and eradication of corruption on the continent.





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Honourable Linda Hlongwa-Madlala is a Member of the KZN Legislature deployed by the African National Congress (ANC). She is the Chairperson

of the Education Portfolio Committee, which is mandated to perform oversight on the Education Department. She also serves in both the Health and Human Settlements Portfolio Committees. She has had a privilege of serving in other portfolio committees like Finance, Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Public Works, Quality of Life, Sports and Recreation, and Social Development.

Honourable, as Parliamentarian, could you tell us what your role is in building the Africa We Want?

In Africa and all over the world, Parliaments are charged with an important role of oversight, legislation and public involvement. The role of parliament varies depending on a number of factors, depending of course on the political and electoral systems. Parliaments across the world play a pivotal role in representing the voice of people, guarding their resources with diligence, institutionalizing accountability, good governance and serving people regardless of their status and class. The role of parliamentarians in building an Africa that is envisaged in agenda 2063 and beyond, is dependent on political parties which send members to parliaments, because the landscape has changed over the years.

The democratic nature of parliaments in Africa bestows a new dimension on parliamentarians because they exist and operate in a flat world. Now, the most important thing about Parliaments in Africa, is their understanding of the truth that Africa is becoming younger; Africa’s history is replete with examples of marginalization and exclusion of women in critical areas of life; Africa’s economy is on an upward trajectory; the political landscape is also changing. However the contradictions still remain clear, because of the imbalances of the past. Parliaments therefore have a tough role ahead, to deal with human development fundamentals with more vigour and zeal. They have to enforce and enact laws that encourage transparency, accountability, economic recovery, public participation, culture of social cohesion, social justice, uphold the rule of law and inculcate fiscal discipline. Parliamentary committees have to lead a review and the unpacking of laws prejudicing and hindering the prosperity of the marginalized majority of our continent. Africa is on the verge of making history, and Parliaments are central to that, hence a greater need for them to sharpen their tools of analysis and understand that without equipped, selfless, determined revolutionaries, that history will remain a pipe dream.

Parliaments must be committed to good governance, accountability, quality and credible leadership, fighting fraud

INTERVIEW: Bringing the African citizens’ voice Hon. Linda Hlongwa-Madlala

and corruption, and improving quality of life. There is no doubt in my mind that we can achieve the Africa we desire and it has to start with Members, who are deployed to different Parliaments. There is a growing need to deal and address imbalances of the past, and it is Parliaments, that have the power to review laws, and direct governments to appropriate more resources for the betterment of our people.

Parliamentarians must realise that, their existence is not about wealth creation, but it is for creating a conducive environment for our people to thrive and be sustained, and when this is done, the Parliamentarian’s role will be achieved. African parliament must command the trajectory we are to take now, especially with the rise of China’s economy. This current epoch has bestowed a new role on the oversight body, which is Parliament to help identify problems and policy challenges that require attention and assist in overcoming bureaucratic inertia. The greatest icon of our struggle, Nelson Mandela, once said: “The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”. As long as Africans concur with these words of the great Mandela, Africa will be better, and be a great place to be. Africa has potential to be a great economy, and we have seen Africa falling, but the time for Africa to rise, is now.

Thomas Sankara, once said: “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness”. African Parliaments must get mad, and bring about change, before it is too late.

You came from South Africa to visit Ethiopia and the African Union Commission. What is the purpose of your mission?

Our visit to Ethiopia was twofold; to learn from the Ethiopians, and also input in their work, so as to improve the health care systems of both countries. We were so privileged to meet people of all kinds, from different classes and it really helped us understand the complexities underlying the healthcare system in Ethiopia, as compared to ours. We were particularly impressed to hear that Ethiopia, just like South Africa, is entering a phase of National Health System, in our

case the National Health Insurance, and the great deal of our discussions was spent on exchanging ideas and views on how best these countries can learn from each other and also support the endeavours of trading in medicine instead of trading with the West and other developed countries. We had special time in public health institutions, private health institutions, NGO’s, and ambulance services. Our visit to Ethiopia was further enhanced by tour to the AU, where we particularly met people who works in the AU Commission social affairs. Here we discussed mainly about health challenges in the continent, the responses of the continent to such challenges, and particularly the excitement was in hearing about the efforts to deal with population growth, communicable disease control and prevention, malnutrition, child and maternal mortality as well as the promotion of reproductive health and rights.

The African Union’s theme for the year focuses on fighting against corruption. As Parliamentarian, what is your contribution?

As indicated earlier, Parliaments are charged with a duty to be a voice of the people, and in fulfilling their mandates they have to be strict on corruption. Africa, according to the Africa Governance Report 6, as published by UNECA, states that; “Corruption is indeed one of the major impediments to structural transformation in Africa”. Parliamentarians, should on a daily basis ask difficult questions, work towards cleansing the systems of government. They can also administer justice for the oppressed, author laws and regulations that will discourage corruption and collusion, and restore people’s dignity. Parliamentarians in Africa, can no longer be complacent, they must guard against all forms of corruption, and where punitive action needs to be taken, Parliamentarians should take the lead.

To conclude, do you have a message for the African Union staff?

My message to the AU staff is brief: “The forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart”.

Courtesy visit of the South African parliamentarians delegation to the AHRM Director



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FOCUS: Efficacy for fighting corruption: evidence from 36 African countries

Afrobarometer policy paper 41

Corruption is a major obstacle to economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction (Mauro, 1995, 2004; Asiedu, 2006). The practice

of demanding or expecting monetary or other benefits in exchange for preferential treatment has plagued the global South, and high-profile revelations of corruption in politics and business have shed light on the magnitude of the problem (Baker, 2016; McCool, 2015). The poor are most vulnerable to both the immediate effects of having to pay bribes or do favours and the longer-term impacts of hampered growth and weakened investment power (Hosken, 2017; Baker, 2016). Recent research by Peiffer and Rose (2014) and Justesen and Bjørnskov (2014) notes that poor citizens faced with official corruption have fewer means to seek out services from alternative providers and are thus forced to “play the game.”

In recent years, headlines have pointed toward a stronger stance against corruption in Africa. In South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and other countries, scandals and government responses have placed corruption at center stage. In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari’s winning ticket in 2015

included zero tolerance for corruption, and he has taken several steps to try to fight what he calls the “hydra-headed monster” (Maclean, 2016; Gaffey, 2016). In Tanzania, President John Magafuli won the 2015 election after a campaign denouncing corruption and misconduct among civil servants (Muvunyi, 2016).

No doubt strong and committed leadership is necessary if meaningful progress is to be made in fighting corruption. But as with any attempt to change the status quo, it is equally important that the policy be accepted, “lived,” and enforced by ordinary citizens.

To what extent do ordinary Africans feel they can combat corruption? What informs whether citizens believe they can play a role? Findings from Afrobarometer Round 6 (2014/2015) surveys suggest that education and material security contribute to building efficacy among ordinary citizens for the fight against corruption. But leadership also matters: Perceptions that elected leaders or officials are corrupt make citizens less likely to think they can make a difference.

• Across 36 surveyed countries, a majority (55%) of Africans say corruption increased “somewhat” or “a lot” over the previous year. This is the majority view in 23 of 36 surveyed countries.

• Among respondents who say they paid bribes during the previous year, most (85%) did not report the incident to the authorities. The most commonly cited reasons for why people do not report corruption incidents

are fear of the consequences (34%) and the expectation that nothing would be done (14%).

• Nonetheless, a majority (54%) of Africans believe that ordinary people can fight corruption, while

about one in three (36%) say there’s nothing they can do.

• Efficacy for fighting corruption (defined as the belief that ordinary people can make a difference) is correlated with higher levels of education and of material security.

• Africans most commonly see reporting corruption to authorities and refusing to pay bribes as the most effective ways that ordinary citizens can combat corruption.

• Perceptions that public officials are corrupt is associated with less confidence that ordinary people can fight corruption, especially among respondents with postsecondary education.

• Inaction by authorities in response to reported bribery incidents does not appear to reduce overall efficacy but is associated with a lower perception of reporting corruption as an effective way to join the fight.

Why people

do not report

corruption?36 countries

2014/2015

FINDINGS

Source http://afrobarometer.org/sites/default/files/publications/Policy%20papers/ab_r6_policypaperno41_efficacy_for_fighting_corruption.pdf



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AFRICAN UNION HISTORY The Emergence of a Pan-African Rhetoric

The Organisation of African Unity (OAU), established on 25 May 1963, was the culmination of a number of diverse and far-reaching historical currents and political trends both on the African continent and abroad. Of particular import to the ideological formation of the OAU was the late 19th century Pan-Africanist movement which emerged in the United States of America (USA) among Black American intellectuals such as Martin Delany and Alexander Crummel, who drew similarities between Africans and Black Americans. The sentiment among these intellectuals centred on the belief that in order for black civilization to prosper, it was necessary to establish their own nation free from the USA where they would be able to pursue self-determination with dignity. Largely influenced by their own religious - mainly Christian - beliefs, early Pan-Africanists sought to advance the spirit of Pan-Africanism through missionary work on the African continent.

The ad hoc and wavering Pan-Africanist train of thought began to consolidate itself through the scholarship of W.E.B. Du Bois, a staunch advocate of African culture and history, who propounded the idea that colonialism lay at the heart of Africa’s economic, political and social problems. Building on this, Marcus Garvey, a Black nationalist, further urged the return of Africans to the continent, which he attempted to facilitate through the establishment of a shipping company, the Black Star Line, aimed at transporting Black Africans back to Africa. This venture was unsuccessful due to obstruction by both the US and British authorities concerned with the future of their colonies.

On the continent itself, a number of prominent intellectuals and heads of state such as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere of Kenya, Sékou Touré of Guinea and Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia took up the cause of advancing the Pan-African ideal. A series of Pan-African Congresses were convened to further the interests of African peoples and discuss methods to achieve unification, and at the fifth Congress held in Manchester, England and attended by Nkrumah, among others, a number of significant aspirations and concerns were voiced. The Congress advocated for the “complete independence of the African continent and total rejection of colonialism and exploitation in all its forms,” and called for the unification of Africa through regional blocs and the adoption of democracy. The Congress also voiced the importance of economic regeneration to replace colonial economies geared towards primary resource extraction and exploitation resulting in a phenomenon that would later be termed ‘Dutch disease’. Of security matters, the Congress preferred to assume a stance of “positive neutrality” or non-interference, for which the OAU would later come under scrutiny.

It was these concerns that had formed the basis of Ghana’s post-independence foreign policy, and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana’s post-independence leader) categorically linked Ghana’s independence to the continent’s own, recognising that “the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the continent.” Nkrumah therefore established a series of conferences hosted in Accra between 1958 and 1960 with the aims of assisting countries

still under colonial rule, fostering cultural and economic ties between countries and considering the issue of world peace. Nkrumah also hosted the All African People’s Conference which convened liberation groups and African nationalist organisations, attended by the African National Congress (ANC).

The vision of a United States of Africa was, per contra, not supported by all, and not as radically as Nkrumah, Sékou Touré of Guinea and Modibo Keita of Mali would have preferred it. Despite a common vision, differing ideological commitments and diverging opinions regarding strategy and structuring of a continental organisation soon divided and obstructed the pursuit of unity. The division led to the emergence of three ideological blocs on the African continent,

split between the Casablanca Group (consisting of Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Libya, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria) which advocated for radical and full continental integration, the Monrovia Group (consisting of Nigeria, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Liberia, Sudan, Togo, and Somalia) which proposed a moderate approach to unification to be undertaken in incremental steps, and the Brazzaville Group (consisting of Francophone countries and led by Senegal and the Ivory Coast) which remained tied to

the interests of France. A number of African leaders, including Kenya’s Julius Nyerere and Nigeria’s Abubakar Tafa Balewa, were supportive of the ideal of African unity, but many felt that Nkrumah’s grand vision for a United States of Africa was overreaching and ran the risk of dissolving sovereignty and territorial integrity – a point of particular contention among countries who had recently gained independence and hard-fought-for sovereignty. Perhaps Nkrumah naively pursued a single-minded Pan-African ambition with the assumption that other leaders would be of a like-minded predisposition. Nkrumah nevertheless underestimated the support for a continental union which would require the surrendering of sovereignty to gain a common monetary, foreign and defence policy, and by the time the OAU was established it presented itself as a diluted version of its former envisioned grandeur. The turbulence of the early 1960s pressed the notion of African countries presenting a united front in the hopes of being taken seriously on the world stage, although the newfound OAU disappointed many of its founding members. Article from http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/organisation-african-unity-oau

OUR LEADERS ONCE SAID...

“We must unite now or perish… We must recognise that our economic independence resides in our African union and requires the same concentration upon the political achievement.”

First President and Prime Minister of Ghana, H.E. Kwame Nkrumah in his address at the founding of the OAU, Addis Ababa, 1963.


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EVENTS & FAMILY LIFE

THE FAMILY OF THE AFRICAN UNION IS GROWINGWelcome to 36 new staff members:

Mr. Sheku Tejan Sesay - Military plans and operations Officer - PSD

Ms. Ayda Tegenu - Onboarding/Offboarding specialist - AHRMD

Mr. Alexis Defuro - Policy Officer - BCP/ISC

Mr. Selidji Gbaguidi - Head of Peace Funds - PSD

Mr. Ernest Dolo - Regional Desk Officer - PSD

Mrs. Prisca Anguezomo Mba - Secretary - PBFA

Mr. Moses Bayingana - Senior Policy Officer for ICT - IED

Ms. Aminta Ly Ep Diop - Administrative Assistant -DCP

Mr. Kevin Irandgaiye - Administrative Assistant - AHRMD

Ms. Koumba Leslya Melinda - Administrative Assistant - AHRMD

Ms. Amedee Rosemonde A.A. Adjagboni - Finance Officer - PBFA

Mr. Mouldi Ayari - Junior political officer - PAD

Ms. Yemisrach Abebaw - Laboratory Technician - MSD

Mr. Dennis Moracha Kengere - Finance Officer - PBFA

Mr. Sylvain Degolmal Ngaryo - Prinicipal Energy Expert-Geothermal - IED

Ms. Trinite Toumalengar Mbaidene - Youth Volunteer - Junior Political Officer - HRST

Ms. Donia Elhassan Hanafy Hamouda- Youth volunteer-Statiscian- EAD

Mr. Jeffrey Murumbutsa Shihembetsa- Youth Volunteer-Communication Officer -HRST

Mr. Doaa Osman Sayed Osman- Youth Volunteer- Building management assistant - AHRMD

Mr. Lamou Martin Kolie- Youth volunteer - Quality control assistant - AHRMD

Ms. Tawakalt Kikelomo Sanusi- Youth volunteer- Accountant assistant - PBFA

Mr. Oumy Kalsoum Bah-Youth volunteer-Accountant Assistant - PBFA

Mr. Dickson Owago Owako- Youth Volunteer- Accountant Assistant - PBFA

Mr. Adam Mucyaba- Youth volunteer - Quality control assistant - AHRMD

Ms. Ganiyat Olasumbo Tajudeen- Youth Volunteer –Human resource Assistant - AHRMD

Ms. Oriane Geraldine Houetchenou Zohou - Youth volunteer - Accountant assistant - PBFA

Ms. Farha Hussein Elduma Abdalla- Youth volunteer –Health officer - CDC AFRICA

Mr. Zakaria Moustapha- Youth volunteer - Administrative and technical assistant - SAD

Mr. Oluwaseyi Damilola Ikubaje- Youth volunteer - Accountant assistant - PBFA

Ms. Rumbidzai Treddah Manhando- Youth volunteer –Economist - EAD

Mr. Este Kkoffi Sewonou- Youth volunteer – Field officer HRST

Ms. Christa Adaria Joyce Johnson-Youth volunteer-Development training and communication coordinator- HRST

Ms. Haoua Moussa Dan Malam- Youth volunteer –Health and nutrition officer- SAD

Ms. Lamina Vatosoa Ratovonasy- Youth volunteer –Envrionmental officer- AU SAFGRAD

Mr. Mohamed Sallieu Barrie- Youth voluntter-Technical expert ending child marriage- SAD

Mr. Jeremie Mulinzi Karege- Youth Volunteer-Technical assistant - PCMD

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 4th meeting of the Ministerial Working Group

on SAATM

Venue: Lome, Togo

Date: May 25, 2018 to May 28, 2018

African Union Summit

Venue: Nouakchott, Mauritania

Date: June 25 to July 2, 2018

IN MEMORIAM Amb. Jean-Baptiste Namata

Former Chief of Staffwithin the

Bureau of the Chairperson

30 August 1964 - 18 March 2018

www.au.int

African Union Headquarters P.O. Box 3243

Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) W21K19

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 Fax:(251) 11 551 78 44

[email protected]

Documents

By the Administration and Human Resources Management ... · a survey, summarized in the following UReport, on behalf of the Group of Child Focused Agencies (African Child Policy Forum,