The Data for Governance Alliance (G4DA) held its third convention from August 5-9, 2024, bringing together over 25 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and representatives from the African Union to discuss enhancing human rights in Africa.
The event aimed to strengthen collaboration between African Union bodies and Pan-African CSOs to promote governance, democracy, and human rights across the continent.
Chief Justice emeritus David Maraga emphasized the crucial role of CSOs in raising public awareness and seeking legal interventions to drive change.
He highlighted the importance of data in advocating for human rights, stating that accurate data can strengthen CSO arguments and influence court decisions.
The CJ expressed concern over the lack of political will to implement human rights laws and called on CSOs to persistently challenge non-compliance.
He also emphasized the need to rebuild public trust in the judiciary, as low trust levels in many African countries hinder the effective administration of justice.
“The Afro-barometer data testifies to this, trust in courts in some countries is as low as 28 percent, it is only in Tanzania where about 88 percent of citizens trust courts.” He said noting that this calls for more confidence building so that citizens can turn to courts for justice.
African Union – Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC),William Carew, underscored the importance of education as a fundamental human right and the need for stronger partnerships to improve education systems and access for all.
He emphasized citizen participation in decision-making processes.
On his part, Antony Irungu Houghton, Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director, highlighted Kenya’s strong constitutional framework but criticized the failure to implement public participation and accountability mechanisms. He pointed to growing inequalities and the need for greater accountability, particularly in law enforcement. Addressing the current political situation in Kenya, Houghton called for an end to excessive force, the release of abductees, and justice for victims. He emphasized the importance of restoring constitutional values and studying emerging social movements to prevent further societal damage.
The convention, attended by representatives from eight African countries, focused on human rights, education, climate change, elections, and transitional justice. Expected outcomes for CSOs include enhanced expertise, collaborative advocacy programs, and joint monitoring and evaluation plans.