Mutual Accountability and Good Governance in Africa: The Role of Development Partners

By Mr. Bengt Säve-söderbergh, Ambassador (former Secretary-General, International IDEA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden

Dear participants, dear friends

Thanks to ECA and its dynamic Executive Secretary K.Y Amoako

Excited to listen to the open and frank discussion during the last few days. It is exciting to read the report striving, for good governance in Africa published by ECA. This is something new and very promising. Ten years ago discussions with civil society about corruption and other delicate and sensitive issues were banned from forums like this one.

Having been involved with Africans affairs from a Swedish perspective, since 1960s, I have observed the various phases of African liberation and development.

The national liberation struggle against colonization and apartheid. The search for national sovereignty. For all of us wishing to see a free and prosperous Africa, this phase gave room for excitement and solidarity.

Then came a period of search for models of development, the one-party state, fairly closed governments and sometimes, military coups. Failures, famines, disasters and corruption became much of the face of Africa abroad except for a few shining lights. Please excuse me for making broad generalization.

This last decade has, I wish to think, presented the beginning of a new and hopeful era. Societies have started opening up, the understanding of the importance of the policy environment is becoming more evident and so is the understanding of unleashing the energy of the whole society, not just that of the state.

I want to warmly commend and congratulate the new leaders who have shaped the new African Union, NEPAD and ECA.

Coming from a member country of the European Union I am particularly pleased to see that good governance /democracy is now high on the agenda in Africa. The peer review mechanism is an exciting promise. In Europe we are used to peer review mechanisms both through the EU, OECD and other international organizations.

I am sure that when you go from principles and discussions into a steady implementation and adoption of the culture of democracy, development partners will be willing to deepen and broaden partnership including raising the levels of aid. At least Sweden will do it

Promoting democracy / good governance is a long term and complicated process and it is the direction that counts, just as elections are only one important step towards a culture of democracy. It is not easy and there is no quick and simple fix.

In the ECA report three areas for improvement of donors/partners are mentioned and I could not agree more. But I would also like to point out that all donors do not behave in the same way. On aid we are going from 0.8 to 1 percent.

Let me also point to some short comings of us from the north I will mention two. Being on the one hand a proud member of the European union there are pairs of its programme where we are critical of the EU:

• The agricultural policies, particularly their effect on Africa, are a shame and I say a shame. It should be changed to give African farmers the right to export more than is now possible. That would be a crucial contribution to good governance .It is easier to reform with more resources
• Secondly Africa should have more of a voice on the intentional arena. My country wants to see a reform of the Boud of the World Bank and we want to see more of Africa in the Security Council of the UN.
• On this second point I see a link to what you are trying to achieve on gone governance in Africa itself. Ten years ago Nigeria under dictator Abacha demanded a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. I would not have supported that proposal. I don't want to be represented by a thief.

So the representativty of the voice counts. When you now go from principles to action, from security of the state to include security of human beings, then I believe your call for stronger African voice internationally will be heard much more and listened to.

Let me end by saying this. If I ask young people in my country, who is the most important, most respected hero of our time, the answer will not be David Beckham or Britney Spears. It will be Nelson Mandela.

Last week the Noble peace prize was awarded to Wangari Mathai, another prominent and dedicated representative of Africa and also a courageous and fighting woman on this continent.

Africa has presented some very good examples, some important role models.

I hope your programmes for good governance will be another good example and I wish you good luck. We are ready to broaden and deeper our longstanding partnership.

Thank you