Recommendations  from  panelists and participants of the Seminar on Ethnicity  and Conflict in Eastern Africa held at the Hotel Arthur, HELSINKI on 25 September 2008

While taking into account that ethnicity is one of the identities embodied and expressed by  citizens  in the pursuit of political, economic, social and cultural freedoms

And recognizing that it can be manipulated to acquire or maintain power and is often associated with conflicts in Africa

And considering that human rights are universal and vitally critical for democracy, freedom and social development

Participants at the Seminar on ethnicity and democracy make the following recommendations.

The Proceedings

1. The papers presented raise important issues for serious consideration by policy makers and citizens. In order for the issues to have wider access, it is recommended that they be edited and published. Prof. Kimani Njogu and Dr. Sabelo Ndlovu are mandated to coordinate the editing process with Mr. Peter Kuria.

2. The issues discussed  are topical and urgent for citizens of Eastern Africa and ought to be raised in the region. It is recommended that a follow up Seminar be held in Eastern Africa in 2009 in order to interact with the  political class and civil society actors in the region.

3. Issues of ethnicity, land, human rights and conflict are of interest at the World Social Forum. It is recommended that KIOS and Shalin explore how panelists can participate and present their papers at the WSF to be held in January 2009 in Brazil.

Pan-Africanism

4. Conflicts facing different parts of Africa are closely tied to lack of justice, infringement of citizen’s rights, limited resources, freedom and democracy.  It is recommended that the spirit of an pan-African identity be strengthened through networks and alliances.

5. The African diaspora should uphold the respect of human rights and take an interest  in reducing conflict on the continent. Citizens in the diaspora can be core to the consolidation of a pan-African identity.

Citizenship Rights

6. There are stateless citizens in Africa. It is recommended that  the right to citizenship be taken up as a human rights issue and that the space for social integration be expanded among all citizens.

7. In situations of conflict, the rights of  internally displaced persons are violated. There rights should be protected through international conventions and statutes.

8. In order to address conflict in Africa, it is imperative that their root causes be examined and resolved.  The architecture of governance and Electoral processes that are designed in a Winner-Take-All format limit the participation of citizens in national and local decision making processes. More innovative and inclusive approaches in governance should be explored in order to cater for varied interests.

9. Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commissions are contributing in national healing and the consolidation of democracy. These processes should however not be designed to give blanket amnesty to violators of human rights.  Impunity breeds more conflict.

Transformative Leadership

10. The quality of political leadership in Africa is uninspiring  due to its lack of commitment to genuinely transforming  the lives of ordinary citizens. By developing a new cadre of leaders within and without the political sphere, the continent can realize true change. It is recommended that organizations doing leadership work be provided with resources to undertake the nurturing of an alternative leadership.

Media

11. There is no doubt that media have contributed to the expansion of democratic space in Eastern Africa since the 1990s at the liberalization of the airwaves. Media freedom is imperative and should be protected at all times but freedom must go with responsibility if the sector is to contribute to democratization and the protection of the rights of all citizens. It is recommended that capacity of media be enhanced through professionalism and entrenchment of ethical standards. Training of talk show hosts, interviewers and political reporters and editors ought to be prioritized.

12. Community media is a model for the future in Africa. It is key to the growth of a democratic culture, the strengthening of institutions of governance and the ability of citizens to hold leaders to account. But community media requires strategic and engagement in terms of policy, funding and sustainability. Equally, the growth of independent national broadcasters is key for linking citizens with government. It is recommended that community media and independent national broadcasters be supported.

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