Seminar: Pandemic of repression in Africa: Challenges for civil society (online)

During the past decade, authoritarian political tendencies have grown considerably stronger in Sub-Saharan Africa. Existing authoritarian regimes have become more repressive and other countries are showing signs of increasingly moving in that direction. While general elections tend to be celebrated in most countries, it is more often than not the incumbent president who is re-elected.

Rarely is there a change in leadership, normally a sign of a healthy democracy. A few countries such as Ghana and Botswana continue to follow democratic norms and in a few countries, the democratic change has taken place – for example: Burkina Faso, Gambia and Sudan. Here strong social and political movements have played an important role.

The tendency towards more repressive regimes in Africa has limited the civic space and the possibilities for civil society organizations to participate as important actor at the political level on issues like human rights, press freedom and in general governance. The civil society organizations are often reduced to their role as responsible for implementing projects, in particular in the field of humanitarian assistance.

During the webinar Nic Cheeseman will present the main dimensions of the political repressive development in Africa which will be commented by Neil Webster. On this background the characteristics of the shrinking civic space in many African countries will be discussed and a representative of Globalt Fokus (association of Danish NGOs) will present the response/reaction of the civil society organizations.   

Speakers

• Nic Cheeseman, Professor, University of Birmingham
• Lars Engberg-Pedersen, Senior Researcher, DIIS
• Neil Webster, Senior Researcher, DIIS
• Mogens Pedersen, Senior Analyst, DIIS
• Sara Brandt, Globalt Fokus

Programme
15.00-15.05: Welcome, Lars Engberg-Pedersen
15.05-15.25: Pandemic of Repression in Africa, Nic Cheeseman
15.25-15.35: Comments, Neil Webster
15.35-15.45: Shrinking civic space in Africa, Mogens Pedersen
15.45-15.55: Response from civil society, Sara Brandt
15.55-16.30: Q&A

Practical information
The seminar will be held in English. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.

Register here