Kunanayagam Ramanie of the World Bank’s Inspection Panel, an independent accountability mechanism, has stated that intimidation and reprisals are among the major challenges facing Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

“Among the challenges faced by CSOs and project-affected people are intimidation and reprisals”.

She revealed this at an African Development Bank (AfDB) webinar on accountability and good governance in projects funded by multilateral development banks. Overall, CSOs from eight Southern African countries participated in the webinar.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Moungar, Director of the Bank’s Gender, Women and Civil Society highlighted the role of CSOs in her opening remarks. She pointed out that CSOs play a crucial role in promoting principles of transparency and accountability. Also, she pointed out that CSOs play a key role in “amplifying citizens’ voice and participation”. All these roles, according to her, “are key ingredients in achieving inclusive and sustainable development”.

The webinar aims to sensitize the groups about the role and importance of independent accountability mechanisms. It also aims at enlightening CSOs on the significance of greater transparency and accountability in development bank-funded projects. According to the AfDB, greater transparency and accountability “enhances social and environmental impacts for beneficiaries”.

Importance of accountability

Also, David Simpson, Director of the Bank’s Independent Review Mechanism, underscored the importance of accountability. According to him, “it is a critical element of addressing poverty, governance, and environmental insecurity”.

“Accountability is about holding people and institutions to account for their impacts on the lives of people, and the planet. Those impacted have a right to be heard and listened to”.
David Simpson

Meanwhile, Dr. Shungu Gwarinda, Acting CEO of the Graça Machel Trust echoed the remarks of Mr. Simpson. He described African CSOs as “watchdogs and influencers for inclusive development”. As such, he concluded that CSOs are “key actors in promoting accountability”.

The webinar was composed of two sessions. The Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs) conducted the first session. This focused on the issues of accountability, the role of IAMs and CSOs in the process. It also touched on how to identify African Development Bank and the World Bank-funded projects.

Also, the second session was in the form of brainstorming around the safety of CSOs in raising their voices. It also covered possible collaboration/partnerships between IAMs and CSOs in the field of accountability. Furthermore, it touched on how IAMs respond to the issue of intimidation and reprisals against CSOs and Project Affected People (PAPs).

CSOs as key development partners

Furthermore, the Webinar participants also learned about the experiences of two NGOs, Accountability Counsel, and Bank Information Center. They were educated on the strategies they had used to successfully support communities adversely affected using an MDB-funded project.

The Bank’s Independent Review Mechanism hosted the virtual seminar in partnership with the Graça Machel Trust and AfDB’s Civil Society and Community Engagement Division. Moreover, the World Bank’s Inspection Panel and Bank Information Center, and Accountability Counsel also participated.

Moreover, in her closing remarks, Leila Mokadem, Regional Director of the AfDB’s Southern Africa Regional Office, reiterated the role of CSOs. She pointed out that CSOs are key development partners in the transformation of their country’s social and economic situation. She encouraged participants to continue to work together for the inclusive and sustainable development of the continent.

Meanwhile, CSOs from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe participated in the webinar. These are Anglophone countries where the African Development Bank currently has operations. Kunanayagam Kunanayagam Kunanayagam