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Harmonizing African Traditional Systems of Governance with the Modern State
Addis Ababa, 28 November 2007 (ECA) – Can traditional and “modern” systems of governance co-exist to serve Africa’s citizens? This question is the running thread behind the publication, “Relevance of African Traditional Institutions of Governance,” recently published by the Governance and Public Administration Division (GPAD) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The publication stems from the “Agenda for Action” and the conclusions reached at the African Development Forum (ADF IV) on Governance for a Progressing Africa in October 2004. During this forum, ECA was requested to develop a project to map out traditional systems of governance, including their consensual decision-making models as part of a broader effort to better define and advocate their role in achieving good governance in Africa. Although largely understudied and often misunderstood, existing literature on traditional African institutions has contributed to the growing recognition that capable democratic States must be grounded on indigenous social values and contexts, while adapting to changing realities. Building on other studies that have affirmed the resiliency, legitimacy and relevance of African traditional institutions in the socio-cultural, economic and political lives of Africans, particularly in the rural areas, this publication underscores the need to align and harmonize traditional governance institutions with the modern State. It is set against the backdrop of Africa’s fragmented governance institutions as well as its political economy and posits the notion that the post–colonial State emulates western institutions of governance, which are “often at odds with traditional African cultural values and contemporary socio-economic realities.” It points to the failure of the post-colonial State, evidenced by the prevailing state of poverty on the continent, ethnic and civil conflicts and frequent electoral and post-electoral strife. Against this background, rural populations, often alienated by the State seek a level of legal refuge from traditional institutions. Three key roles that are played by traditional authorities are highlighted. First, they play an advisory role to governments and have a participatory role in the administration of regions and districts; second, their developmental role, complements government’s efforts in mobilizing the population for the implementation of development project, sensitizing them on health issues, such as HIV/AIDS, promoting education, encouraging economic enterprises, inspiring respect for the law and urging participation in the electoral process; third, they have an important role to play in conflict resolution. The publication sets itself apart from existing literature, outlining a theoretical framework for the dynamics that enable traditional governance institutions to play a more “developmentalist” role in modern governance systems in terms of their contributions to Africa’s socio-economic transformation and convergence of African political values with modern democratic governance. It also proposes some areas of potential contribution of traditional institutions, among them, state-building, state reconstruction and accountability of leadership, expansion of public service and management of resource-based conflicts. The issue therefore is not whether the traditional and modern systems of governance are competing against each other, but how to reform and integrate the two parallel systems more effectively in a manner that promotes democratic governance. The outcome of this harmonious relationship would mean better service to citizens in terms of representation and participation, service delivery, social and health standards and access to justice. To deepen further understanding of traditional institutions, the publication proposes a number of areas for future research, which are identified as key gaps in the existing literature. These include, gender relations in traditional institutions, changes in land tenure and traditional institutions, a new typology of traditional institutions and empirical studies on the resilience of traditional institutions. It also notes that more research is needed on how to integrate traditional authorities, customary laws and traditional democratic political values in the modern governance structure in a dynamic manner that “enhances development and promotes democratization”. Contact ecapubs@uneca.org or ecainfo@uneca.org for hardcopies of the publication, or download a copy from http://www.uneca.org/gpad
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