OSIWA’s geographic landscape encompasses countries with varied forms of governance. Some are in transition to democracy; in others democratic consolidation is fragile and in some there is routine practice of democratic governance. OSIWA will seek to address the diversity of transitions in the choice of its countries of focus. Its primary objective will be to build and strengthen democratic institutions, processes and structures and enhance protection of citizens’ rights, increase citizens’ participation in the decision making process and create avenues for West Africans to participate in governance in the region.

Promoting open society in these environments requires diverse strategies tailored to the nature of transition and the particular conditions on the ground. It includes supporting initiatives to rebuild governance institutions, reestablish the rule of law and properly conduct pluralistic elections. It also entails promoting press and other freedoms and ensuring respect for human rights. And it requires enabling civil society to monitor and influence the proper functioning of normative and institutional frameworks, conducting regional and international advocacy, and working with government including electoral commissions, national human rights institutions, parliaments and local government structures as well as with non-state actors like civil society organizations (CSOs), professional bodies, and religious and traditional authorities.

Enhancing citizens’ participation in governance is at the core of open society ideals. This issue, however, continues to be a challenge in most of the countries in the region. A common manifestation of these trends is the lack of space for participation of citizens in governance processes and the indifference of governments’ across the region to the views of the populace. The tendency towards military coups, takeovers and control of governance in total disregard of constitutional provisions and public views is evidence of the emasculation of the citizens’ voice in governance.

Popular participation is the vanguard of democracy. However, the participation of citizens, especially youth and women, in political governance is very limited. Limited access to public information and media censorship exists creating significant limitation to citizen participation, transparency and accountability. Effective decentralization of government structures and accountability and transparency in government are still elusive. Decentralization efforts across the region have not resulted in better governance nor enhanced management and distribution of national resources. Even though civil society organizations continue to thrive and some are vibrant, serious concerns exist about their ability to consistently engage the government and other stakeholders in a coherent manner to effect change.

OSIWA will seek to build capacity of civil society, support initiatives to encourage women and youth involvement in governance, promote greater access to public information, advocate for the enactment of access to information laws and encourage media freedom.

In Nigeria, where corruption, mismanagement and other democratic deficits perpetuate acute inequities and spark recurring violence, OSIWA will work to foster electoral accountability by facilitating collaboration among the Independent National Electoral Commission, civil society and in-country development partners. In doing so, we aim to strengthen the commission’s capacity to organize credible elections in 2011 — reversing the progressively worse rating of Nigerian elections since 1999, which has diminished public confidence in electoral processes, fueled violence and bred suspicion of government-citizen engagement. It will also seek to build the capacity of CSOs to generate and disseminate information needed to mobilize voter participation; monitor key agencies involved in planning and organizing the elections and hold them accountable; and encourage broad use of information and communication technologies to enhance the electoral process. Through such programs, we hope to roll back Nigeria’s persistent democratic failures and build credible and efficient mechanisms for governance in Africa’s most populous country. In addition, citizens have struggled at the national and sub-national levels for access to the spaces where the key decisions affecting their lives are made, OSIWA will support targeted advocacy and grant making to facilitate learning, knowledge development and activism among civil society, media and professional groups. Specifically, the foundation seeks to build their capacity to monitor and advocate for transparent and accountable electoral processes in 2011.

In Liberia, where the democratic transition is not yet secure, OSIWA will work to strengthen governance and rule of law in the face of widespread lack of institutional capacity. To help consolidate and extend recent gains, OSIWA will support efforts to strengthen the capacity of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to manage the elections slated for October 2011. The foundation will also work with government institutions to improve their service delivery, a critical factor in Liberia’s reconstruction. These activities will build on OSIWA’s past support for initiatives to strengthen democratic institutions, governance structures and systems such as the NEC, Governance Commission and the Ministries of Education and Justice. The foundation will also address key recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report by supporting the development of a National Human Rights Action Plan as well as civil society monitoring of its implementation. It will also support institutionalization of the Palava Hut and Memorialization initiatives, two key elements of transitional justice and the promotion of community peace and reconciliation in Liberia. These efforts build on OSIWA’s prior institutional and technical support to the commission, which aided in the production of a national document that is expected to guide peace and reconciliation. In Liberia, which has not held local elections in three decades due to civil war, a highly centralized governance system and lack of political will within the executive and legislative branches, public participation at the grassroots level has been minimal. OSIWA will thus work to ensure implementation of the national Decentralization Policy and Framework, which was developed through the foundation’s engagement with the Governance Commission and which puts a premium on stakeholders’ ownership and participation in national development. The decentralization process is crucial in fostering peaceful coexistence in Liberia and in following up on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. OSIWA’s support to the Governance Commission for continued engagement with all critical stakeholders on the draft decentralization policy provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders and the general public to help validate the policy and enact it into law. Building on work currently being undertaken by various civil society coalitions, the foundation will also work to strengthen the capacity of CSOs to demand accountability in the implementation of major policies and development initiatives, such as education initiatives and early childhood programs. In particular, OSIWA will support efforts to enhance the capacity of women and youth organizations to engage local government structures to promote effective public participation in decision making.

In Sierra Leone, OSIWA will work with selected democratic institutions — such as the Human Rights Commission and the Law Reform Commission — to strengthen their performance, efficacy and receptiveness to engaging with civil society. The foundation will also support electoral monitoring bodies overseeing the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections and local government elections, with the aim of facilitating civic participation in these processes and holding credible elections. OSIWA will seek to facilitate effective and inclusive grassroots participation of citizens in local governance and decision-making processes. The foundation will also support efforts to establish a neutral platform where state and non-state actors can engage in electoral processes as well as to build the capacity of electoral monitoring boards to perform their role in a fair and transparent manner. OSIWA will also support initiatives to empower CSOs, especially women and youth groups and to promote effective implementation of the so-called Gender Laws, which seek to address inequities women face with regard to domestic violence, inheritance and marriage. This work entails building awareness and understanding of the laws’ contents, monitoring their implementation and assisting bodies and institutions responsible for implementing them.

In Ghana, which won praise for its smooth handling of the 2009 presidential elections and the ensuing transfer of power, OSIWA will work to strengthen local governance — especially through traditional leadership councils, which are recognized by the Constitution and play an important role in rural areas. Engaging traditional leaders is thus critical in opening up decision-making processes that relate to the environment and natural resources as well as in ensuring the effectiveness of policies and development plans that rely on decentralized, local implementation. In selected communities in northern Ghana, OSIWA will also expand its pilot project to promote traditional leadership as a necessary component in advancing democratic governance and empowering local citizens to engage in the formulation of social and economic policies that shape their lives. The foundation will also build on ongoing efforts to promulgate the freedom of information law and strengthen the implementation and enforcement of national anti-corruption initiatives. Finally, it will assist efforts to inform and engage voters, secure transparent electoral processes and create a “clean parliament.” This line of work will include facilitating presidential and vice-presidential debates and fostering civil society engagement with political parties and constitutional bodies Ghana’s widely heralded democracy still lacks meaningful avenues for citizens to participate in debates on critical issues that affect their lives and livelihoods, as a result OSIWA will support efforts to build a social movement capable of engaging in electoral processes and ensuring integrity in politics. At the local level, the foundation will support activities aimed at encouraging and empowering ordinary people to participate in local governance, monitor policy implementation and thereby hold public officials and institutions to account. At the national level, it will work to bring together political parties, constitutional bodies, civil society organizations and religious groups to discuss key issues facing the country, in part by facilitating presidential and vice-presidential debates. OSIWA will also mount an initiative to establish a “clean parliament” — one that is free of corruption, nepotism, organized crime and other illegal activities — by evaluating parliamentary candidates based on agreed criteria.

In Benin, OSIWA will work to strengthen governance institutions and advance policy reforms by building the capacity of the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome through sub regional peer-learning mechanisms; catalyzing a consensual constitutional review process aimed at establishing a permanent independent electoral commission, strengthening judicial independence and repositioning the Constitutional Court; and promoting mechanisms to ensure greater accountability by institutionalizing the relationship between members of parliament and constituents. OSIWA will also support decentralization and local governance reform, emphasizing measures to effectively transfer resources and competences as well as to institutionalize the role of traditional rulers in local governance. The foundation will also work to improve access to justice at the grassroots level by building the capacity of paralegals and promoting alternative disputes resolution mechanisms within the legal system. In Benin, one of the most stable, democratic and progressive countries in West Africa, OSIWA will work to build a vibrant civil society movement and a pluralistic media sector that can engage on substantive issues in political processes. Specifically, the foundation will support advocacy to enable civil society and the media to take part in the constitutional review process by engaging the government and the legislature for their buy-in on proposed amendments to the Constitution. OSIWA also seeks to cultivate citizen demand for accountability in public service delivery by creating a national grassroots movement to hold local government to account in this area.

In Guinea, which stands at a critical turning point following 50 years of authoritarian rule, OSIWA will explore opportunities to build a more robust parliament. Although legislatures play a fundamental role in establishing the rule of law and transparent governance, Guinea’s parliament has long been marginalized. Strengthening its capacity will help create an enabling environment where it can perform its basic functions and fulfill its mandate. It will also involve creating a platform for exchange between the parliament and civil society, in order to promote respect for democratic institutions and processes by the military and cultivate a more harmonious relationship between civilians and the military. OSIWA will also support efforts by human rights CSOs to invoke international and regional human rights laws to demand accountability and to deter future violations. OSIWA will likewise promote the use of transitional justice mechanisms. In Guinea, which lacks a tradition of broad participation in policy making at all levels, OSIWA will support initiatives to strengthen citizen participation and build stakeholders’ capacity to engage in decision-making processes, policy formulation and policy implementation. At the national level, the foundation will work to strengthen civil society organizations’ capacity to engage with the parliament. It will also seek to capitalize on existing legislation aimed at decentralizing governance. This measure presents a significant opening to expand direct citizen participation at the local level, but its language is not specific or clear enough to guarantee practical implementation. OSIWA will therefore focus on creating channels and conditions for citizens to exercise their voices and demand accountability and on improving civil society organizations’ capacity for strategic planning through an integrated and participatory decision-making process. Greater civil society engagement has the potential to improve the transparency and responsiveness of elected officials, ensure better targeting of resources based on the articulated needs and priorities of the population, prompt more efficient use of resources and improve service delivery.

In Senegal, where the upcoming 2012 elections are seen as an opportunity for the country to reestablish its leadership in democratic practices, OSIWA will work to strengthen public institutions charged with enforcing the provisions for electoral accountability set by the African Union and ECOWAS. The foundation will also seek to foster dialogue on electoral reforms, drawing on the findings of the recent AfriMAP–CODESRIA study on electoral monitoring bodies. To strengthen Senegal’s judicial system, OSIWA will support advocacy for the adoption and implementation of progressive laws. In Senegal, where the space for citizen participation in governance has been shrinking, OSIWA will work with civil society and the media to build a social movement demanding electoral accountability and ensuring the probity and integrity of candidates in the 2012 elections. OSIWA will subsequently support civil society monitoring of how well elected officials follow through on their campaign promises. Through these programs, the foundation seeks to improve a democratic system that discourages conventional forms of participation, such as public hearings and memoranda from stakeholders. It will also look for opportunities to counteract the absence of a progressive media law, to strengthen the skills of media practitioners, and build civil society organizations’ capacity for consistent and coherent engagement with government officials, public institutions and other stakeholders.

In Niger, whose weakened parliament played a role in allowing President Tandja to defy the constitution and extend his term of office, leading to the subsequent military takeover, OSIWA will provide support to develop the new parliament’s capacity to perform its role effectively. Strengthening the skills and understanding of individual members and the institution as a whole is critical in ensuring that the legislature can function effectively and play its assigned role in a constitutional democracy. The foundation’s work will emphasize the traditional parliamentary roles of representation, lawmaking, oversight and budgeting as well as the need for accountability to constituents. These programs will also urge lawmakers to enact policies and reforms that allow citizens to be involved in the governance of natural resources and the equitable distribution of their dividends — measures that in turn will contribute to social harmony, human security and sustainable development. In Niger, which is struggling to reestablish constitutional rule after slipping back into military rule, OSIWA will initially limit itself to helping existing civil society coalitions to engage effectively in the electoral process — in part by pressing parliamentary candidates to clarify their positions on specific socio-economic challenges. The foundation will then work to develop the capacity of civil society organizations to systematically monitor the new legislature, document its work and engage with its members. These programs build on OSIWA’s earlier support for those who, like the United Front for the Protection of Democracy (FUSAD), opposed a new constitution extending the president's term. They also build on the foundation’s role in shaping regional and international responses by ECOWAS, the United Nations and the OSI Africa Advocacy Group. The leading role that OSIWA’s civil society partners are playing in the transition process has created a reliable framework for it to consolidate the influence of civil society in the upcoming elections as well as in the governance structures and processes they give rise to. Over the next two years, OSIWA will also support human rights groups and civil society organizations in their efforts to ensure that all available national, regional and international mechanisms are used to hold Tandja and his colleagues accountable for the crimes they committed while in office — including human rights abuses, large-scale corruption and pillaging of the nation’s resources.

In Cote d’Ivoire, where the transition to democratic governance has suffered several setbacks leading to the current post-election stalemate and conflict, OSIWA is well-positioned to support concerted efforts by civil society organizations across the country to help bridge the North-South divide, advance citizenship rights for all, and ultimately help strengthen governmental accountability and transparency (including systems for electoral integrity). To complement this, OSIWA will support region-wide civil society coalition and advocacy efforts aimed at leveraging the ECOWAS mechanisms for peace-building human rights protection and democratic governance in Cote d’Ivoire.

At the regional level, given the critical importance of free, fair and peaceful elections, OSIWA will support efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Electoral Assistance Unit, a department housed within the Commission of Political Affairs, Peace and Security and established through the Framework of the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. OSIWA will seek to enable the unit to deliver on its mandate to improve the electoral environment, bring about adherence to electoral standards and norms, and democratize the institutions and processes for conducting elections. OSIWA will likewise support advocacy and engagement aimed at encouraging West African states to adopt and implement the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance (of the African Union) as well as the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (a supplement to the Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security). These programs will encompass advocacy, awareness and mobilization (building on the research conducted in 2010 and early 2011 through the ongoing Governance Monitoring Project) as well as targeted grant making.

OSIWA will work to strengthen the Mano River Union, which has experienced over a decade of devastating conflicts, by supporting the proactive enforcement and maintenance of law and order and strict observance of transparency and accountability in governance. OSIWA seeks to enhance specific structures of the Mano River Union, including the civil society wings, to enforce mechanisms, regulations and processes that prevent the breakdown of peace and security — with an emphasis on inclusive, transparent and accountable governance of resources