Democracy News

African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governments to Go into Force
January 27, 2012
By: Rebecca Aaberg | Printer Friendly

On January 16, Cameroon became the fifteenth country to ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governments (ACDEG), putting the charter into effect on February 15, the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA) reported.  According to AfriMAP, the Charter, which was adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2007, “is considered the most authoritative expression of commitment of the African Union and its Member States.”  The African Union Commission added that it expresses "a set of shared values and aspiration objectives in governance, democracy and elections.” OSISA called the ACDEG “remarkable” and explained that it “reaffirms Africa’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law” through transparency and accountability. 

AfriMAP reported that the five-year ratification process produced some anxieties about the ACDEG by members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).  AfriMAP and other civil society groups worked in conjunction with the PAP to push African states to ratify the Charter.  Setting a goal of 11 ratifications before 2011, PAP consulted with African governments to pressure them to ratify the Charter..  The governments that have ratified the ACDEG have not necessarily demonstrated that the “process of domesticating it at the national level” has been effective so far, according to AfriMAP.  OSISA reported that the Charter “reaffirms the primacy of the rule of law and calls on state parties to initiate appropriate measures, including legislative, executive and administrative actions to bring State Parties' national laws and regulations in conformity with the Charter.”

AfriMAP reported that the ACDEG not only strengthens democracy but also the power of the AU as an international body, empowering the AU to impose sanctions against governments that refuse to relinquish power or that are taken by “putsch or coup d’état.” 

The PAP underscored the need for development in the region as "a founding prerequisite for holding fair and free elections,” AfriMAP reported.  Poverty-reduction measures  are indicated in Article 9 of the Charter, which promotes “sustainable development and human security.” ,  Article 29, which recognizes the importance of the participation of women in development and democracy aims to improve women’s rights in the region.

Although the requisite fifteen members have ratified the Charter, 37 African States have yet to ratify the agreement.  So far, the ACDEG has been ratified by (in order of date of ratification): Mauritania, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Lesotho, Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa, Zambia, Guinea, Chad, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, and Cameroon.  In a press release, the AU urged all other members to ratify the ACDEG as soon as possible.

For the full document, please see:
African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance

Sources:
African Union – Entry Into Force of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance

AfriMAP - PAP underscores its role in the speedy ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance

Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa – New Era for Democracy in Africa