The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance was adopted by the African Union in January 2007. Since then, 27 Member States have signed the document, but only two have ratified it. Idasa is working with the African Development Forum to promote the Charter which encourages sustainable democracies in Africa.

Between 1990 and 2000, African states saw a rapid increase in democratic practices, with many countries opening up to multi-party parliaments, and other political and economic reforms. Idasa has recently launched a project to build constituencies of support for the Charter in ten different African countries, namely: Cape Verde, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Africa.

 

Mapping exercises are being conducted in the 10 countries named above to get a sense of political dynamics in each country, and understand what shapes and influences political arenas. Legal processes for ratifying the Charter in each country will also be investigated.

 

The project aims to create national movements as well as international solidarity that can influence governments to ratify the campaign.