African Union

and Platform
The African Governance
Architecture(AGA)
African Governance Architecture
Department of Political Afairs,
African Union Commission
P.O.Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 7700
www.au.int
and Platform
Framework Document
The African Governance
Architecture(AGA)
Background
Following the transformation of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) into
the African Union, Africas governance landscape has improved signifcantly.
However, despite marked progress on democratic governance, Africa
continues to face serious and dynamic threats to democracy, peace and
security that are predominantly induced by defcits in democratic governance
and human rights protection. At the heart of Africas conficts and political
instability is the inadequacy to address structural root causes.
Acknowledging this challenge, the AU is developing a long term development
strategy dubbed Africa Agenda 2063 which identifes democratic defcit and
weak governance as root causes of confict and impediments to sustainable
development. Central to Agenda 2063 is AUs set of normative and
institutional frameworks which have been elaborated since the establishment
of the OAU in 1963. However, despite these progressive norms and policy
pronouncements, compliance and efective implementation by Member
States endure signifcant challenges. Lack of coherence, coordination, synergy
and consistent follow up among AU organs, Regional Economic Communities
and Member States is identifed as a major constraint.
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Consequently, in order to translate the objectives of the legal and policy
pronouncements of the AU and promote good governance, human rights and
democracy in Africa, the AU established the African Governance Architecture
(AGA) in 2010 as a framework for coordination of implementation of African
Shared Values instruments and dialogue among AU organs, Regional
Economic Communities and relevant stakeholders.
The African Governance Architecture (AGA) is the continental mechanism
aimed at connecting, empowering and building capacities of African peoples
in strengthening governance and consolidating democracy in Africa. It is the
overall political and institutional framework for the promotion, protection
and sustenance of democracy, governance, rule of law, human rights and
humanitarian afairs on the continent. The AGA embodies the aspirations of
African peoples and their determination to improve their lives with dignity by
consolidating democratic values and principles.
The AGA is a dynamic and evolving mechanism drawing lessons from events
and processes within the continent, its own process of interaction, policy
demands and responses of the various organs of the Union and developments
at the national, regional, continental and global levels.
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Mandate
The decision to establish a Pan-African Architecture on Governance since
renamed the African Governance Architecture (AGA) was made by the 16th
Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU (EX.CL/Dec.525(XVI). The
decision was endorsed by the AU Assembly Fourteenth Ordinary Session in
February 2010 dedicating the theme of the January/February 2011 Summit
on Shared Values in Africa (Assembly/AU/Dec.304 (XV)|. In order to translate
the objectives of the legal and policy pronouncements on AU Shared Values,
the African Union Commission incorporated the AGA as the implementing
framework for promoting good governance, human rights democracy and
humanitarian afairs in Africa.
AU Shared Values are built around common principles and values that impose
a sense of collective responsibility by AU Member States. They support a set
of procedures and institutional relationships that commit Member states to
accept the obligation to address governance challenges through the use of
frameworks that are mutually agreed upon at regional and continental levels
and particularly those developed within the orbit of the African Union and
Regional Economic Communities.
The collective approach of the African Shared Values engenders a general
policy orientation that defnes respect for democratic governance and human
rights as shared values. AGA, therefore, encourages various stakeholders,
individually and collectively, to nurture processes that would support
progressive development and implementation of democratic values, norms
and standards. Furthermore, AGA fosters a shared responsibility that takes
into account the diferent capacities of various actors and stakeholders while
recognizing the ability of the AU to serve as a catalyst to coordinate action
and inspire closer cooperation, complementarity and synergy of eforts
Objective
The principal goal of the AGA is to connect, empower and build capacities
of African peoples through relevant continental institutions in enhancing
democratic governance in Africa. The specifc objectives of the AGA are to:
a. Deepen synergy, coordination and cooperation among AU organs,
institutions and RECs on democracy, governance, human rights and
humanitarian assistance.
b. Foster efective implementation of AU organs decisions and norms on
democracy, good governance, human rights and humanitarian assistance.
c. Deepen popular participation and citizen engagement in attainment of
democracy, governance and respect for human and peoples rights.
d. Promote African Shared Values (AU norms and standards on democracy,
governance and human rights).
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e. Enhance the capacity of AU organs, institutions and RECs to support
Member States to strengthen governance and consolidate democracy.
f. Coordinate evaluation and reporting on implementation and compliance
with AU norms on governance and democracy as envisaged by article 44,
45 and 49 of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance
(ACDEG).
g. Foster dialogue and share comparable lessons on trends, challenges,
opportunities and prospects for improving governance and democracy
among Member States.
h. Generate, manage and disseminate knowledge on good governance and
democracy in Africa.
i. Facilitate joint engagement in strategic interventions: preventive diplomacy,
confict prevention and post-confict, reconstruction and development in
Africa.
The Structure of the AGA
The AGA structure embraces three interrelated, mutually reinforcing and
dynamic components. The frst component comprises norms and standards
embodied in the African Shared Values (AU norms and standards on
democracy, governance and human rights). The second is an institutional
mechanism which comprises a network of institutions and other stakeholders
woven around a Platform of AU organs and institutions with a formal
mandate on governance, democracy, rule of law, human rights, elections and
humanitarian assistance. The third relates to mechanisms and processes of
interaction that defne and support engagement at the two preceding levels.
TheAGAconstitutes a
set of AU and RE Cs
norms and standards
on democrac y,
governan ceand human
rights inAfrica.
Norms
& Standards
The Structure of the AGA
TheAGAis conceived
as a well-ordered and
neatlyassembled
structure of AU and
RECs organs ,
institutions and
mechanism with a
governan ce, democrac y
and human rights
mandate
Institutional
Mechanism
The institutional
framework of the AGA
revolves around a
Platform of AU and
RECs organs and
institutions with a
formal mandate for the
promotion and
sustenan ceof
democrac y,governan ce
and human rights in
Africa.
Interaction
Mechanism
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Norms and Standards
The AGA constitutes a set of norms and standards on democracy, governance
and human rights in Africa. It is an embodiment of governance standards,
principles and practices at the regional and continental level which Member
States of the AU have collectively and individually committed themselves to.
Institutional Mechanism
The AGA is conceived as a well-ordered and neatly assembled structure
of organs, institutions and mechanism with a governance, democracy and
human rights mandate to give operational expression and meaning to the
African Governance Agenda. These organs are responsible, at the diferent
levels, for the implementation, monitoring and assessment of governance
policies, pronouncements, judgements and decisions on the Continent.
Interaction Mechanism and Processes AGA
Platform
The institutional framework of the AGA revolves around a Platform of AU
organs and institutions with a formal mandate for the promotion and
sustenance of democracy, governance and human rights in Africa. The
Platform serves as the coordinating arm or catalyst for the achievement of
the goals of the African Governance Architecture. In this role, it does not
assume or duplicate the functions established by other policy organs. Instead,
it provides a framework for interaction and active engagement to facilitate
information fows, knowledge exchanges, dialogue, synergies and joint action
between the various African governance actors, and monitor compliance and
implementation.
The platform:
a) Coordinates a systematic exchange of information amongst stakeholders
on democracy, elections, governance, rule of law, human rights and
humanitarian assistance across the continent.
b) Creates a framework for dialogue and cross- fertilization of ideas and
comparable lessons and experiences among the Platform Members.
c) Facilitates and supports the elaboration of African Shared Values
on democracy, elections, governance, rule of law, human rights and
humanitarian assistance across the continent and within the AU system.
d) Strengthens the capacity of the African Union Organs and Institutions to
monitor and assess compliance of AU norms and standards on democracy,
governance, rule of law, human rights and humanitarian assistance and
support the efective implementation of these standards by AU Member
States.
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e) Initiates action and makes recommendations and proposals to policy
organs for the progressive development and refnement of the African
democracy, governance and human rights agenda.
f) Harmonise procedures, benchmarks and tools for review of state reports
envisaged by the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
g) Develop and promote common understanding on African governance
agenda in international fora.
Members of the AGA Platform
The Platform is structured along two concentric circles. The frst circle is
composed of treaty monitoring Organs and Institutions of the African Union
as well as Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It is linked with the second
concentric circle of other continental stakeholders including appropriate
national-level institutions and structures, civil society organisations, media,
private sector and the Diaspora through consultations and regular dialogue.
AGP
PSC
AUCIL
PAP
ACHPR
RECs
ACERWC
ECOSOCC
AUABC
APRM
PRC
AfCHPR
STCs
NEPAD
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AGA Seretariat
The Department of Political Afairs (DPA) of the AU Commission serves as the
coordinating hub for the Secretariat of the Platform. The Secretariat includes
focal persons from each of the Platform members. In that capacity, the
Secretariat is responsible for collating and processing the Platform outcomes
for presentation to, and consideration by AU Policy Organs. Furthermore, the
Platform cultivates a positive working relationship with relevant structures of
Member States of the Union, and the African Peace and Security Architecture.
The Platform also cooperates with and draws appropriate inputs from other
relevant actors and stakeholders in the wider African society within the
framework of the concentric circle approach.
Relationship with Member States
AU Member States are the foundation of the AGA. They have the primary
responsibility of building and consolidating democracy and governance. A
strong and efective AGA requires solid, functioning and accountable national
structures. The AGA aims to complement and add value to the primary
responsibility of States democratic institutions as the basis for enhancing
regional and continental integration.
Relationship with the African Peace and Security
Architecture
Democratic defcit and poor governance are often cited as central causal
factors that lead to insecurity, confict and underdevelopment of the continent.
In light of the interdependence between the felds of governance, peace and
security, forging synergies among the AGA and APSA is crucial for addressing
African conficts in a holistic manner.
The AGA complements positively the African Peace and Security Architecture
(APSA), which addresses the AUs peace and security agenda. The AGA and APSA
recognize that democratic governance, peace and security are interrelated
and mutually reinforcing imperatives. The AGA Platform provides a bridge for
coordination, joint programming and interventions by the two architectures
in situations that require a consolidated response from the AU and RECs.
Relationship with other institutions and Stake-
holders
In ensuring the efective participation of the African citizens in their own
development processes and the quest of the African Union to transform into a
Union of African peoples, the AGA shall adopt a multi-dimensional and multi-
actor participation on its Platform. This shall involve relevant stakeholders
such as civil society organizations, private enterprises, think thanks, as well
as youth and gender organizations (i.e. second circle of involvement) in the
various programmes and activities of the AGA. Such participation shall take
advantage of existing structures such as ECOSOCC as well as provide other
avenues where necessary to guarantee a deliberate, structured and efective
interface between the AGA Platform and the African citizens on on democracy,
good governance, human rights and humanitarian assistance.
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The AGA Clusters
The AGA Platform is organized along fve clusters representing the thematic
focus of the Architecture. The clusters shall provide the implementation
mechanism for the delivery of the AGA objectives through programmatic
interventions on strengthening democracy and good governance; ensure the
protection and guarantee of human rights and provision of humanitarian
assistance where necessary. The fve clusters are:
1. Democracy (Elections, Parliament, Political Parties and Democracy
Assessments): The Cluster monitors the implementation of democratic
electoral processes and standards in Member States as well as monitor,
review and assess the state of democracy in Africa. Electoral Processes;
and Democracy Assessments are its two sub clusters.
2. Human Rights and Transitional Justice: The Cluster seeks to ensure
efective promotion and protection of human and peoples rights on the
continent as well as coordinate eforts to develop the Transitional Justice
Policy Framework for Africa.
3. Governance (Public service and administration, Local governance,
decentralisation and urban development Anti-corruption and
accountability and natural resource governance): The cluster seeks to
promote the strengthening of institutions of public service delivery including
decentralisation and accountability. Its four sub clusters include: public
service and administration reforms; local governance, decentralisation
and urban development; anti-corruption and accountability; and natural
resource management
Democracy
(Elections and Democracy Assessments):
Human Rights &
Transitional Justice
Constitutionalism
and Rule of Law
Humanitarian
Affairs
The AGA Clusters
Governance
(Public service and administration; Local governance
decentralisation and urban development;
Anti-corruption and accountability; and natural resource
governance
4. Constitutionalism and Rule of Law: The cluster seeks to promote
and enhance adherence to the principle of the rule of law and enhance
constitutional order in Africa, including addressing unconstitutional
changes in government. The cluster also seeks to support AU Member
States constitutional and institutional reforms and rebuilding especially
those emerging from confict,
5. Humanitarian Afairs Cluster: The Cluster seeks to ensure that the root
causes of forced displacement are addressed and develop an appropriate
continental guideline to facilitate interregional movement of persons. It
also aims to fnd durable solutions to the challenges relating to refugees,
returnees and internally displaced persons (IPDs) in Africa. The cluster
engages with relevant actors to develop coordinated and appropriate
preparedness and responses to disasters and humanitarian crisis on the
continent.
AGA Knowledge Generation & Dialogues
The AGA, using its publications and dialogue initiatives, shall contribute to
the knowledge pool on democratic governance on the Continent through its
State of Governance and Democracy in Africa Report, the African Governance
Newsletter, Quarterly Seminar Series and the Annual High-Level Dialogue on
Governance and Democracy in Africa.
a) State of Governance and Democracy in Africa Report
The Annual State of Governance and Democracy in Africa Report is the
fagship knowledge and data generation product outcome of the African
Governance Architecture. The report critically analyses the trends, challenges
and prospects of improving governance and democracy on the continent
and makes appropriate policy oriented suggestions and recommendations
to improve democratic governance. The analysis emerging from the report
informs the envisaged regular briefngs to the AU Peace and Security Council
on the state of democratic governance in Africa.
b) African Governance Newsletter
The newsletter is a periodic repository of events and activities in the areas
of good governance, democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law, elections,
humanitarian afairs and other associated governance issues in Africa. Through
the provision of a forum for African experts, think tanks and individuals to share
their views on topical Africa governance topics, the newsletter documents
experts perspectives and ideas on governance trends in Africa.
Essentially the newsletter contributes greatly to the existing information
and knowledge gap that currently exists on the eforts and activities being
undertaken to improve governance and to institutionalize democratic norms
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and practices in Africa.
The newsletter provides feedback opportunity and infuse inputs from the
African citizens and stakeholders on their perspectives and insights on
each edition. This feedback is in the form of articles, right of reply letters or
rejoinders to articles published.
c) Quarterly Seminar Series
The AGA Seminar Series aims to provide space for the interrogation of current
and evolving governance related issues across the Continent. This provides
AGA Platform Members, AU Staf, civil society and other stakeholders including
the private sector and other development actors an opportunity to engage
refect and share comparable experiences and lessons on the promotion and
strengthening of governance, democracy and human and peoples rights
on the continent.
d) High Level Dialogues (DG Trends)
The Annual High Level Dialogue provides a platform for a frank, open and
inclusive conversation on democratic governance. It involves Member States,
AU organs and institutions, Regional Economic Communities, African citizens,
think tanks, civil society, media, womens organisations, youth movements,
private sector, philanthropists, faith-based organisations, and other relevant
stakeholders in a platform for lessons-learning and experience sharing. It
also seeks to explore and tease out comparable lessons and practices for
improving governance, consolidating constitutional democracy and fostering
efective realization of human and peoples rights on the continent and in the
process avoiding humanitarian crises.
Getting Involved
AGA provides a unique opportunity for African peoples and institutions to
interact engage and participate efectively in the development agenda of the
Continent. The AGA Platform welcomes inputs, ideas and perspectives of the
broad spectrum of African citizens through its traditional and new media
platforms including:
Twitter: @AUC_DPA
Facebook: www.facebook/DGtrends
Hashtag: #DGTrends
Websites: www.agaplatform.org / www.DGTrends.org
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +251 11 518 2625
AGA Secretariat, Department of Political Afairs,
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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AFRICAN GOVERNANCE ARCHITECTURE
Africa Governance Architecture is an institutional framework aimed at
connecting, empowering and building capacities of African peoples in
strengthening governance and consolidating democracy in Africa.
The AGA constitutes a
set of AU and RECs
norms and standards
on democracy,
governance and human
rights in Africa.
Norms
& Standards
The Structure of the AGA
Democracy
(Elections and Democracy Assessments):
Human Rights &
Transitional Justice
Constitutionalism
and Rule of Law
Humanitarian
Affairs
The AGA Clusters
Governance
(Public service and administration; Local governance
decentralisation and urban development;
Anti-corruption and accountability; and natural resource
governance
Promote implementation
of AU shared values on
democratic governance
Enhance coordination
& cooperation among
AU &RECs organs on
democratic governance
Generate and disseminate
knowledge and data on
democratic governance
AGP
PSC
AUCIL
PAP
ACHPR
RECs
ACERWC
ECOSOCC
AUABC
APRM
PRC
AfCHPR
AGA Initiatives
Members of the AGA Platform
STCs
NEPAD
The AGA is conceived
as a well-ordered and
neatly assembled
structure of AU and
RECs organs,
institutions and
mechanism with a
governance, democracy
and human rights
mandate
Institutional
Mechanism
The institutional
framework of the AGA
revolves around a
Platform of AU and
RECs organs and
institutions with a
formal mandate for the
promotion and
sustenance of
democracy, governance
and human rights in
Africa.
Interaction
Mechanism
Enhance coordinated engagement
on conict prevention &
post conict reconstruction &
development Deepen popular
participation and
citizen engagement
African Governance Architecture and Platform Secretariat
Department of Political Afairs,
African Union Commission
P.O.Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 7700
www.au.int