Civil Society in Angola The CEIC-CMI Angola Seminar

Civil Society in Angola The CEIC-CMI Angola Seminar 2008 5 June Inge Amundsen, CMI

Civil society in Angoola • • Historical development – Pre and post 1992 developments Recent developments – Coordination and cooperation – Emerging political and economic issues The uneasy NGO – government relationship – The urge for control – The revised Law on the Associations – The revised Law on the Media Inroads, space and external support – Local government and service delivery – Bilateral donors, international organisations, international businesses

The historical ups and downs • • • Pre 1991: low – Government approved and supportive – UN and emergencies 1991 -92: up – Development of independent (and radical) organisations 1992 -94: down – Resurgence of civil war, repression 1994 -98: up – Lusaka peace process 1998 -02: down – Resurgence of civil war, repression 2002 ->: up

Recent developments • Umbrellas, platforms, “redes” and NGO cooperation • Rede Terra • Rede Eleitoral • FONGA • • Rede Muher • Parceiras de Angola • Civil Society Conference nov 07 Emerging political and economic issues – Human Rights • Mãos Livres, AJPD, SOS Habitat – Transparency and democracy • Bishops’ Conference of Angola and São Tomé – Budget and public finance • Associação Fiscal, Jubileu 2000 – Elections and participation • Rede Eleitoral

Inroads, space, and international support • Inroads and space – Local and regional level • Province authorities – Service provision level • Ministry of Health, Education • International support – Bilateral donors • EU, bilaterals, WB (FAS) – International organisations • NDI, FES, PWYP/EITI, UNDP – International businesses • Some oil companies’ CSR (Chevron)

The uneasy NGO – government relationship • The urge for control – Pressure, intimidation, infiltration, co-option • • • Example: the closing of the OHCHR in Angola Lack of consultation, ignoring consultations FESA and Lwini Government mistrustful view of “civil society” Government counterweight CSOs – The revised Law on the Associations • Discipline NGOs (registration, reporting, “abstain from political and partisan actions”, government guardianship) – The revised Law on the Media • Government control of national broadcasting • Regulations of private media • Criminal responsibility of journalists and editors (defamation)