In the framework of the in-depth review of ECOSOCC ordered by the Executive Council of the African Union to make the organ effective and efficient, I have made this presentation to a group of experts to inform the process - Seychelles, 30 October 2017

1. ECOSOCC & Civil Society Participation
in the African Union
Lessons Learnt and Ways Forward
By Desire Assogbavi
30 October 2017

2. Introductory Remarks
 The involvement of a diverse range of actors, including civil society, is essential
for effective action on continental priorities
 By its immersion within the society and its preservation of an identity that is
distinct from States, civil society has vocation to contribute greatly in
development, peace, security, prosperity…
 The constructive engagement of civil society can reinforce intergovernmental
deliberations by informing them, sensitizing them to public opinion and grass-
roots realities, increasing public understanding of their decisions and
enhancing their accountability
 The growing influence of civil society in global and continental policy does not
diminish the relevance of inter-governmental processes — it enhances it. Nor
does it lessen the authority of Governments within them. While civil society can
help to put issues on the continental agenda, only Governments have the
power to decide on them.

3. If properly built & managed…
 ECOSOCC could be an influential forum to inform policies and
practices of the African Union
 ECOSOCC could help concretize the vision of the AU vision to
establish a people-centred continental body… and close the gap
between continental policies and the actual needs of people
 ECOSOCC could be the continental champion and guarantor of
civic space at all level, including national level
 ECOSOCC could empower citizens to claim accoumtability for the
implementation of AU decisions at national level

4. Lessons Learnt – What did not
work for ECOSOCC?
The Nature/Uniqueness: ECOSOCC is an AU Organ,
regulated by the AU but composed of CSOs… Without a
certain independence, it could not genuinely perform…
 Membership criteria have limited the capacity/credibility
of ECOSOCC… the 50% funding criteria for membership,
not observed by the AU itself in terms of funding is purely
irrational.
Beyond Members: There were no or less efforts by
ECOSOCC to tape on resources and kwnoledge from the
wider civil society outside of its framework... A waste!
Space & Mandate: There is lack of clarity of ECOSOCC
space, in the AU policy process.... Interventions are limited
to presenting reports to the Executive Council.

5. Best Practices from other
institutions
ECOSOC (UN)
Economic & Social Committee (EU)
ECOWAS & East African Community

6. ECOSOC (UN)
Thematic based: Economic & Social Development + HR
54 Members, Receive report from many UN Agencies
Members states seat in it, so not a primarily avenue for CSOs but
its Committee on NGOs consults with over 2,000 registered
NGOs: written statements, observer status...
NGOs have used ECOSOC to influence many policies adopted at
the UN
ECOSOC Status allow individual NGOs to be accredited in many
UN organ meetings including at regional and national level
With ECOSOC: UN provide space & NGOs organize themselves

7. Economic & Social Committee (EU)
ESC directly represents the various economic and
social components of organized CSOs… Like a
parliament, ESC is an Assembly of representatives, but
it is a consultative body dominated by business and
labor groups but also has other actors: Women,
environmentalists, NGOs etc.
ESC issues different types of opinions (referral by EU
Commission & own initiative)
ESC Assembly has 222 members proposed by national
Gov & elected by EU Council.

8. CSOs and ECOWAS
 The revised ECOWAS Treaty called for the broad participation of civil society
organizations and all citizens
 Council of Ministers established the Forum of Association Recognized by
ECOWAS (FARE) to coordinate all CSOs’ activities and act as a liaison
between CSOs and ECOWAS Secretariat. FARE is open only to those CSOs
with observer status…membership based but not exclusive but an apex
institution for dialogue with CSOs
 WACSOF was formed with the support of ECOWAS and became a partner
and advisor of ECOWAS on various issues… WANEP on peace building
etc…
 ECOWAS CSOs unit created ... Similar to CIDO to “strengthen the capacity
of CSOs to support policy development and implement ECOWAS programmes
in relation to peace and security concerns”
 At ECOWAS: liberty of engagement…, no ECOSOCC type.

9. 7 Important Considerations in
the reform of ECOSOCC
 Consultation Mechanism of the wider civil society based on capacity… ECOSOCC is
not expected to have all the knowledge... Rather, to find and coordinate knowledge...
This needs a continental thematic database to be maintained. We need a Thematic
Advisory Task Forces of entities not qualified for ECOSOCC membership to be set up
 Membership: It is understood that ECOSOCC is not for INGOs but the 50% budget
criteria for eligibility is exaggerated and should be removed: AU itself still get 72% of its
resources from partners. Other provisions in the ECOSOCC statutes already ensure the
“Africanity” of the body
 ECOSOCC policy/advisory Space needs to be clearly defined and AU organs
sensitized about it. Social, economic and cultural issues should be tabled to ECOSOCC
systematically before decisions are made
 Capacity/Competency should be a strong criteria in choosing cluster leadership
 Need for sign-off process/procedure for public position of ECOSOCC: It’s a matter of
credibility and accountability
 Role of Member states: No influence of member states in the formation of the General
Assembly of ECOSOCC. CSOs should organize themselves.
 Division of Labor and synergy with CIDO...: Both should be mutually reinforcing
organs

10. Thank You !
Contacts
Email: assogbavi@me.com
Twitter: @assodesire
www.assodesire.com