The Peoples’ Audit

AU Monitor Invitation for Comments, Discussion and Debate: The AU Monitor is seeking your contributions toward a Peoples’ Audit of the African Union (AU).

At the AU Summit in July, it was argued that while “all member states accept the United States of Africa as a common and a desirable goal”, the Executive Council recommended an audit review of the state of the Union to identify the areas where significant improvement has to be made to accelerate the African integration process. The audit review is being conducted by a panel of ‘eminent persons’ and will be presented as a policy document for discussion and adoption at the next Heads of States Summit in January 2008.

While the panel has not planned to conduct any formal consultations with civil society organizations (CSOs) or the African public, this input is essential to building a people-driven union. The audit process will not only inform the decision on the Union Government, but, if successful, will also set the framework for the next African Union Strategic Plan. It is therefore critical that this debate does not only happen among Ambassadors, Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Heads of States but that civil society and citizen voices also inform the deliberations. As of yesterday, the chairperson of the panel officially invited e-submissions to the panel. The AU Monitor is therefore seeking your contributions, discussions and debates to inform this process. The AU Monitor calls on the input of all CSOs, including and particularly social movements, grassroots organizations, trade unions, women’s rights groups, etc., and African citizens to make your voices heard in this process. We will coordinate, coherently collate and actively distribute your policy recommendations to the AU, so that these recommendations influence and set the policy framework of the audit committee and council of ministers.

African peoples’ must ensure that the review address both institutional reform as well as issues of strategic direction, such as whether the AU is setting the standard for new policy norms for democratic governance, responsive public services, human rights, peace and poverty eradication in Africa, negotiating globally for better trade, aid and debt terms for Africa.

Please provide your comments and suggestions for an effective people-driven African Union. We have provided some questions below to guide your process but we do not want to limit your contribution by these questions. All contributions should be sent directly to with the subject heading “Peoples’ Audit”.

Thank you!

Questions:
1. What has been your experience in working with and participating in the African Union?
2. In your experience, what value have citizen and CSO engagement brought to AU decisions and their implementation?
3. What have been the key achievements of the AU and its organs since 2004?
4. What are the weaknesses of the AU?
5. What opportunities has the AU missed since 2004?
6. What significant strategic changes should the next Commission prioritise?
7. How should public participation and accountability of the AU be strengthened?
8. Which other organisations or movements do you think the AU should be consulting in developing policies?
9. How would union government benefit you? What are your hopes and expectations for the Union Government?
10. What do you foresee as the obstacles and challenges of the Union Government and what can be done to overcome these?
11. What is your vision of an effective people-driven African Union?
12. What steps should be taken to accelerate the Union Government process?

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