The NEPAD, a "Socially Premature" Project

By Cécelia Locmant

African unions approve the principles underpinning the NEPAD or New Economic Partnership for African Development initiative - preventing conflicts, promoting good governance and working for sustainable development - but they regret the lack of any social dimension in the project.

The President of Senegal, Abdulaye Wade says that the countries are not begging but are proposing a new partnership to find a new way forward and new resources. Civil society representatives, including unions, are less confident and are critical of several aspects of the project.

In a meeting in Maputo on 7th May 2002, trade union leaders from Southern Africa complained of being sidelined by political and business leaders. The NEPAD is seen by many as a plan conceived by elites and technocrats who have a neo-liberal outlook. People in African countries are not consulted and basic social concerns are not taken into account. Unions are calling for development centred on democracy, cancellation of debt, the strengthening of social protection, the promotion of peace and social dialogue.

(Trade Union World; no 7-8, July-August 2002)