ECOSOCC: BENIN CIVIL SOCIETY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NEXT ELECTIONS

Cotonou, Benin - August 22, 2014 – After Togo and Senegal, the awareness and motivation campaign of the African civil society on the elections of the 2nd General Assembly of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), initiated by the Directorate of Civil Society and Diaspora Organizations (CIDO) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in keeping with the decision of the Executive Council, got underway on Friday 22 August 2014, in Cotonou, Benin.

Before an audience of representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) gathered in their large numbers in the “Fleuve jaune” conference room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to acquaint themselves with the rules for the nomination of candidatures and make their voices heard and share their experiences as agents of development, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Francophonie and Beninese Abroad, Dr Bako Nassirou-Afari, in his opening speech delivered by the Secretary General of the Ministry, Ambassador Eusebius Agbangla, said that "ECOSOCC was established with the advent of the African Union to build the partnership which should be institutionalized between Governments and all segments of the civil society for the building of the new African Peoples Union."

The Minister added that the AU advisory body is a platform which should enable the African Civil Society to play an active role in planning the continent’s future through its contribution to the definition of the Union’s principles, policies and programs and monitoring their implementation. On behalf of the Government of Benin, he extended his sincere thanks to the AU Mission which, he said, is perfectly in line with the implementation of the Executive Council decision on the organization of a civil society sensitization campaign.

"This awareness is especially intended for you, so that you will be better represented in the ECOSOCC as an AU advisory body whose role is paramount in the attaining of the Union’s objectives,” the Minister emphasized in his message to the representatives of the Benin civil society, adding that the Republic of Benin will be duly and fully represented at the Conference of the 2nd General Assembly of the Pan-African body.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Jalel Chelba, Head of the Civil Society Division and leader of the AU delegation stated that ECOSOCC embodies the principle of democracy at its highest level and is responsible to lead grassroots civil society organizations to the portals of decision-making, and enable them to assume their share of responsibility in the building of the integration project and the sustainable development of the continent.

He underscored the need to mobilize African civil society organizations and encouraged them to participate in large numbers in ECOSOCC elections, adding that the Commission hopes to finalize the election of new members during the last quarter of 2014 and subsequently put the ECOSOCC Assembly in place before the end of the year.

Speaking on behalf of the Benin civil society, Mr. El Hadji Abu Yekini, Secretary General of the Civil Society Board of Administration, Member of the National Bureau, Representative of the President of the National Consultation Framework of CSOs in Benin, highlighted the importance of the event, which he said, is crucial for the adequate preparation of Benin civil society’s participation in ECOSOCC elections. "The Benin civil society is a development player engaged in a daily battle and grappling with huge challenges,” he said.

In the ensuing debate that followed the presentations made during the interactive working session, issues relating among other things to the eligibility requirements deemed “ restrictive” by the small associations, especially those working with rural women, were raised. While welcoming the initiative and expressing their willingness to redouble their efforts to participate in the elections, many of them called for "a possible relaxation of the eligibility criteria," citing more particularly the clause which says that to be eligible for membership, 50% of the basic resources of the civil society in question shall be derived from contributions of the members of the organization, and the prohibitive external audit cost.

Dr. Nassirou Bako-Arifari received the members of the African Union delegation yesterday evening in his office at the Ministry and seized the occasion to give some titbits to the delegation on how to ensure the success of the campaign which he considered essential in preparing the Benin civil society for the ECOSOCC elections.

On the recommendation of the Minister, Mrs. Habiba Mejri Cheikh, Director of Information and Communication of the African Union Commission and member of the delegation appeared on the National Television of Benin (ORTB) as guest of the 20h00 TV news, during which she explained the objectives of the sensitization campaign and enlisted the participation of Benin CSOs in ECOSOCC activities. She also urged them to take the necessary steps to increase their chances in the upcoming elections.

The continental sensitization campaign, initiated in accordance with the Executive Council decision (EX.CL/Dec.849(XXV), adopted at the 23rd Ordinary Session of the AU in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, kicked off on 12 August in Lusaka, Zambia and will continue until September, covering the five regions of Africa.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Jalel Chelba, Division of Civil Society, AUC | Directorate of Citizenship and Diaspora | E-mail: Jalelc@africa-union.org
Habiba Mejri Sheikh | Director of Information and Communication | Directorate of Information and Communication AUC | E-mail: habibaM@africa-union.org

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