Following David Gakunzi’s proposal of february 99 for a plan for the Alliance in Africa (See Caravan N°3), a meeting of african allies was held at Cape Town (South Africa) from 25-27 june 1999. This meeting had a double objective:

• finding a way forward for the Alliance in Africa by coordinating and synergizing the efforts of african allies;

• elaborating a plan for the 2000-2001 period built up on the possible contribution of african allies to the Earth Charter process.

The choice of the place and the dates of the meeting was not haphazardly. This was justified by the fact that this is a historical date for South Africa: the anniversary of the Freedom Charter adopted by the African National Congress at Kliptown on the 26 june 1955 (see below).

For three days, participants in the meeting discussed and made important decisions which can be summarized in the following five main points:

1) Core values and principles for the African Freedom Charter

What are the values we want to put at the core of the African Charter in relation to: democracy, peace, freedom, citizenship, hope, etc. and what do we mean by these terms? How to operationnalize these values in the african context?

The project of the African Freedom Charter will be an african perspective of the Earth Charter. We propose to follow a participative process for its drafting similar to the one which led to the Freedom Charter of 1955. Writing the charter could be a 2-stage process: first, focus on African concerns –short term issues, close to the people (issues of food, clothing, shelter); secondly, link these to long-term wider global alternative perspectives. The preamble should include history of the continent (slavery, colonisation, independence war, liberation struggles, etc.), assess the current situation (lack of participation, ownership and responsibility, economic dependence, marginalisation of Africa, etc.) and look at perspectives. On this basis, we will define the kind of Africa we want for the future.

2) Structuring and developing a coordination team

David Gakunzi’s proposal of February 1999 remains a good reference and provides the landmarks. There is now a need to constitute a team to facilitate and coordinate the processus, from the national to the regional level, then continental level. It was decided that Clayton Lillienfeldt and David Gakunzi will facilitate the coordination of the Alliance in Africa. It was also proposed to issue an african Alliance newsletter.

3) Tools

Apart from the existing communication tools utilized in the Alliance, there is a need to develop other tools for a greater mobilization of people around the processus (use of TV, video clips, community radios, theatre, music and dance, etc.). We also need to link with sociocultural and educative activities as well as broad popular events to be able to involve people with whom we have not been able to connect so far (youth, illiterates, artists, politicians, etc.).

4) Proposed activities

Each participant proposed a strategy in the context of its country and region, and indicated activities and events, which can help to develop the process of preparation of the African Freedom Charter.

5) Challenges

• To promote participation, solidarity and responsibility from all groups (including children and youth, middle-aged people, elders, women), all sectors, all parts of society beyond social and NGO activists, and mass participation through soccer tournaments, concerts, etc. To find a way to involve societies and organisations in countries where there are conflicts.

• To develop a process wherein the African Charter will not be another document but a lively, innovative, alternative process, endorsed by people. To transcend in the writing of the African Charter the western standards, language and frames of mind?

• To link african perspectives and processes into global ones

• To decide on the deadline for the African Freedom Charter and continental meeting (2000 or 2001);

• To find funds and approach African business persons

It remains that decisions and commitments made at the Cape Town meeting must be kept for the Alliance dynamics in Africa to gain strength and visibility. A follow up meeting should be held early 2000 to assess the progress and push further the process detailed above.

Aurélien C. Atidégla (Benin)

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The Freedom Charter Adopted at the Congress of the People, Kliptown, on 26 June 1955 (extracts) We, the People of South Africa, declare for all our country and the world to know: that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white, and that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of all the people; that our people have been robbed of their birthright to land, liberty and peace by a form of government founded on injustice and inequality; that our country will never be prosperous or free until all our people live in brotherhood, enjoying equal rights and opportunities; that only a democratic state, based on the will of all the people, can secure to all their birthright without distinction of colour, race, sex or belief; And therefore, we, the people of South Africa, black and white together equals, countrymen and brothers adopt this Freedom Charter; And we pledge ourselves to strive together, sparing neither strength nor courage, until the democratic changes here set out have been won. The People Shall Govern! [...] The rights of the people shall be the same, regardless of race, colour or sex; [...] The People Shall Share in the Country's Wealth! The mineral wealth beneath the soil, the Banks and monopoly industry shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole; All other industry and trade shall be controlled to assist the wellbeing of the people; [...] The Land Shall be Shared Among Those Who Work It! [...] The law shall guarantee to all their right to speak, to organise, to meet together, to publish, to preach, to worship and to educate their children; [...] Men and women of all races shall receive equal pay for equal work; There shall be a forty-hour working week, a national minimum wage, paid annual leave, and sick leave for all workers, and maternity leave on full pay for all working mothers; [...] Child labour, compound labour, the tot system and contract labour shall be abolished. The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall be Opened! [...] All the cultural treasures of mankind shall be open to all, by free exchange of books, ideas and contact with other lands; [...] Education shall be free, compulsory, universal and equal for all children; Higher education and technical training shall be opened to all by means of state allowances and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit; [...] All people shall have the right to live where they choose, be decently housed, and to bring up their families in comfort and security; Unused housing space to be made available to the people; Rent and prices shall be lowered, food plentiful and no-one shall go hungry; [...] Free medical care and hospitalisation shall be provided for all, with special care for mothers and young children; The aged, the orphans, the disabled and the sick shall be cared for by the state; Rest, leisure and recreation shall be the right of all: [...] Let all people who love their people and their country now say, as we say here: THESE FREEDOMS WE WILL FIGHT FOR, SIDE BY SIDE, THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES, UNTIL WE HAVE WON OUR LIBERTY

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