Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

Peer learning: successful cooperation in the region

To inspire the search for a common ground between civil society organisations and political parties in Mali, CMDID invited experts from Burkina Faso, Senegal, Benin and Ghana to share their experiences of successful cooperation.

Mr Abdoul Karim Saidou from the Centre pour la Gouvernance Démocratique (CGD) highlighted current developments in Burkina Faso, where civil society organizations and political parties are jointly contesting the revision of article 37 of the constitution, which would allow president Blaise Campaore to renew his mandate with a third term.

All presentations underlined the impact of the legal system on the role of both actors and the specific political and cultural context of the relationship between them.

Political parties and civil society organisations in Mali

At the conference it became clear that it is sometimes difficult to draw the line between political and civil society actors.  In Mali civil society organisations have often played a political role. Historically they were also important actors in the struggle for multiparty democracy, and all major political parties in Mali are rooted in social movements.

In keeping with this tradition, current legislation still allows independent candidates to run for a seat in parliament. Some conference participants argued that these ‘independents’ do, in fact, represent civil society organisations with a political agenda.

Conclusions

It was concluded that strategic cooperation between civil society organisations and political parties is important for the advancement of democracy in Mali.

To confirm their intent to work together participants of the conference issued a protocol for collaboration in the spheres of juridical and legal reform, policy dialogue and civic education.

This protocol was presented to the media, including Mali’s National Broadcasting Company (ORTM), during the closing session of the conference.