This theme should facilitate the analysis of the problems with which African agriculture is confronted in the neo-liberal globalisation system, bring up the land reform issue in several countries (Zimbabwe, South Africa, etc.) as well as the mobilisation of peasant movements and organisations in the Africann and World Social Forums.

2- The reconstruction of the United Labour Front.

The difficulties confronting the African trade unions are essentially due to the effects of the neo-liberal policies instituted over the past several years. They entailed the massive casualisation of workers and the weakening of the union’s struggling capacities, on the one hand, and the near-general “informalisation” of production and labour, on the other.

Integrating the marginalised workers in a united labour front appears to be a condition for social reconstruction and the regeneration of capacities to fight against neo-liberal policies. Sucn an integration may lead to a new political situation and the emergence of political forces legitimised not by donors but by the masses.

3- National Sovereignty and Democracy.

The prevailing ideology denies the sovereignty of the peoples and nations and seems to have been internalised by leaders of many countries of the South.

Participants wondered about the reality of the sovereignty of citizens and peoples in the conduct of their collective lives, the management of their resources and their external relations in a State that is increasingly subjected to international political and economic pressures. Such pressures make it increasingly « useless » to consult the citizen and national institutions in the face of external powers, whether the latter emanate from international institutions, States of the North or from international or national NGOs.

4- Reconstructing the United Front of Peoples of the Third World.

The reconstruction should be essentially based on Afro-Asian solidarity as a condition for the strengthening of African and Asian positions in world decisions.

The African social movement is entrusted with the task of contributing in reconstructing solidarity among the peoples in order to create a power relationship favourable to the organisations and movements opposed to the dominant neo-liberal system.

The discussions highlighted several aspects which need to be considered in the appreciation of the challenges and actions to be carried out, mainly:

- The need to fully integrate the link between internal and external factors, and avoid the tendency to give more importance to external factors to the detriment of internal factors, such as corruption, human rights violation, lack of democracy, in our countries.

- The need to have a critical attitude towards the AU. As conceived, the African Union cannot address the challenges facing the continent. Actually, by trying to copy the European model which is a neo-liberal model, the African Union cannot conceive of a major vision capable of mobilising the African peoples.

- Our strategy should consist in gathering all the forces likely to come together and building alliances aimed at forming a tremendous strike force in our struggle to recover our political and economic sovereignty. From this standpoint, the issue of food sovereignty was considered as an essential element in the peoples’ sovereignty. In this regard, the issue of genetically modified organisms (GMO) as well as the disastrous consequences of the liberalisation policies were underscored as the major obstacles to the achievement of food sovereignty. Alliances between peasants and the urban population, on the one hand, and the change of Africans’ consumption habits, on the other hand, were proposed as elements of the strategy aimed at meeting this goal.

- The need to take into account the essential role of youths in our struggles. To that effect, not only should they be fully and completely integrated in the process of the struggle but their concerns should be taken into account.

- The need to envisage energetic actions in order to project another image of Africa. On the one hand, by organising a tribunal of African women in Lusaka and in Porto Alegre to serve as a space of expression and exchanges on their struggles and alternatives. On the other hand, by implementing a broad targeted media strategy (publication of flame of Africa, using the Web and the radio, ..).

By and large, the discussions laid emphasis on the formulation of alternatives in all fields. The cultural issue was highlighted as a key element in our struggle. The African culture has powerful positive elements which can be used to fend off the harmful and pernicious influence of the neo-liberal system. It can serve as a bullwark against the penetration of alienating cultures which try to control the spirits and hearts of our peoples. But culture can also be a guide in our attempt to build another vision of Africa and the world.

The final programmes of the African Social Forum and the African participation in the World Social Forum should be formulated on the basis of these analyses and priorities defined by common consent.

B- Priority actions and task-sharing in the perspective of the African Social Forum and the World Social Forum of Porto Alegre

The collective priority action sectors on which the collective activities should be hinged during the Lusaka and Port Alegre forums are as follows :

a) The issue of sovereignty and democracy

b) The land issue and peasant farming

c) The reconstruction of the labour front

d) The Pan-Africanism in question

e) The reconstruction of the United Front of Peoples of the South

f) The African Women’s Tribunal

g) Art and Culture

h) Media and communication

f) The alternatives formulated by the African organisations.

Self-organised or autonoous activities : they fall under the responsibility of participating organisations which define their content and organise the discussions thereon. These activities provide the concerned organisations and movements with the possibility to express themselves thoroughly and facilitates a more systematic work on the alternatives. To guarantee mutual enrichment, links should be established between its activities and collective activities. This is the case, for example, of the youth camp which will be organised by the youth groups during the ASF.

The Secretariat should be informed about these self-organised activities not later than 15 October.

African participation in the 2005 World Social Forum of Porto Alegre : During the discussions on the issue, emphasis was laid on the need to ensure a sizebale and quality African presence ; give a positive image of Africa and another vision of the world to be shared with the other peoples of the South.

The Secretariat’s Responsibilities :

The Secretariat will not be responsible for organising all the activities. It was proposed and accepted that the Secretariat, supported by members of the Council, shall :

- back-up the collective initiatives on the major themes identified.

- facilitate the organisation of the opening and closing sessions during the African Social Forum. The opening session should serve as an opportunity to project a strong and positive image of Africa. In this regard, it was proposed that top-notch personalities should be invited to address the African delegates.

- ensure a cultural presence of quality from the continent and the Diaspora

- organise, in Porto Alegre, two major seminars on certain major themes. These seminars should, to the extent possible, be organised with other movements of the South, and involve the African Diaspora. The first seminar will focus on an in-depth analysis of the challenges that have been identified while the second will lay emphasis on the alternatives to neo-liberal policies.

It was recalled that as regards the defrayal of participants’ expenses, and in view of the growing interest of African organisations and movements in the ASF and WSF, participants themselves should bear the costs of their participation. The secretariat will play a back-up role particularly for organisations with low financial capacity. It should essentially focus its efforts on :

- acquiring the means required for the translation of documents in the major working languages used on the continent

- organising the work space for collective activities

- stimulating communication and information

THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM IN AFRICA - 2007

Discusisons at the last session focussed on the holding of the next World Social Forum in Africa in 2007.

To that end, participants emphasised that this prospect is a stroke of luck for the continent in several respects. On the one hand, it will provide the opportunity –thanks to the mobilisation of all the democratic social forces -to express the hopes and and propose alternatives and thus play a democratic and positive role. On the other hand, it will facilitate the creation of a popular critical mass which will compell the internal and external political forces to take this expression into account. It will thus greatly influence the future of the continent in terms of a democratic reconstruction and the rehabilitation of citizens.

Finally, it will constitute a high point for building new solidarities among the peoples, in which the continent will be fully present.

A working group was set up (see annex 2) and entrusted with the task of examining the options provided by the organisation of such an event. This group should prepare an initial report for the next Council session which will be held two days before the forthcoming ASF edition.

At the closing session of the Council’s meeting, a Sudanese human rights militant made a presentation on the situation in Darfur, which was followed by a lengthy debate on the possible implication of the African social movement in the resolution of the crisis with a view to avoiding an instrumentalisation of the situation by external forces solely motivated by the predation of the natural resources of this part of the continent.

Finally, a declaration was prepared and submitted to the participants for signing (see annex 3).

After the closing of the Council session, the Egyptian movements organised a study and exchange day focussed on the evolution of trade disputes in Egypt and the prospects of building a common social platform. The day was held in the presence of other African participants and was attended by several organisations of the Egyptian social movement which showed their interest in the African Social Forum dynamics.

The Egytian organisers were bent on holding a cultural event to share some aspects of their culture with the other African participants.

ANNEX I

MISSION AND OPERATION OF THE AFRICAN SOCIAL FORUM COUNCIL

The Council is an open space for reflection, facilitation and convergence between the different components of the African social movement in their struggle against the neo-liberal system and its manifestations. As such, the work of the Council is based on the commitment and voluntary action of each organisation and each of its members.

Mission :

1- On the basis of its analysis of the internal and international developments which affect the African continent, the Council proposes the issues and themes around which the ASF should mobilise during its various editions.

2- It defines the relations between the African Social Forum and the World Social Forum and proposes strategies aimed at mobilising the African social movements within the ASF and ensuring an active participation in the World Social Forum.

However, it is not invested with the power of coordinating the African social movement as a whole.

4- It defines the tasks assigned to the Secretariat and monitors the state of their implementation.

5- It operates in a non-hierarchical, democratic and transparent manner and should reflect all the sensibilities expressed within the ASF. In this regard, the Council should be open to all the representatives of the movements and networks identified in Nairobi as well as to other movements like the Landless, groups fighting against AIDS, organisations of the informal sector, etc.

2- Membership of the Council

A- The Council is an open space. However, for this opening to be compatible with the World Social Forum and African Social Forum Charters, the organisations /networks and movements should :

1) formally adhere to the Charter of WSF and ASF principles

2) be opposed to and fight against the neo-liberal system and hegemonism.

B- Membership does not entail representativeness. Within the framework of the African Social Forum, it is based on the following principles :

Commitment,

Voluntary action,

Responsibility

Solidarity.

C- To promote the opening of the Council and the Forum, the current members will seek to share information with the rest of the social movement and include new organisations/networks/movements in the Social Forum dynamics and the Council.

D- On this basis, members of the Council should come from a wide range of organisations and movements :

- social movements

- labour organisations

- peasant organisations

- women’s organisations

- youth organisations

- human rights associations

- research organisations/institutions

- the African Diaspora

- thematic networks (debt ; trade ; culture; conflicts; etc.)

Even though the Council is open, the groups and individuals involved in the national, sub-regional and thematic initiatives relative to the African Social Forum dynamics, as well as the most active African movements in the struggle bringing into play the basic interests of peoples of the continent at continental and international level, should necessarily be a part of it.

Council members will seek to expand the mobilisation of the social movement and take individual and collective initiatives during the African and World Social forums in order to increase the possibilities of expression and discussions on the struggles of the continent.

3- Operation

1- The Council meets at least twice a year. In case of necessity, exceptional meetings could be held.

2- Members pay for their own expenses to participate in the Council’s meetings.

3- The decisions of the Council are taken by consensus.

4- In order to ensure an effective participation in the decisions of the Council and the efficiency of the proceedings, ad-hoc committees are set up:

A- A working group on the Strategy and Programme

B- A working group on Resource Mobilisation

C- A working group on the mobilisation of social movements

D- A working group on the Youth

E- A working group on culture, education, arts and the media.

F- A working group on medias

G- Proposals ahead of the 2007 World Social Forum.

The list is not exhaustive. Any other committee considered necessary could be set up by the Council.

Pursuant to the African Social Forum and World Social Forum Charters, the committees are open to all the members of the council who wish to participate inn them.

The committees are mandated to prepare the best options on the issues in question in order to facilitate the Council’s decisions and consensus. They should be actively involved in the organisation of the African Social Forum and in facilitating the African participation in the World Social Forum.

4- Relations with the secretariat

A- The Secretariat carries out a voluntary work of facilitation. The Secretariat does not, under any circumstance, represent a coordinating body.

B- There should be a regular information flow between the Secretariat and the Council, as well as between members of the Council and the entire social movement. For this reason, the Secretariat should establish the tools required to develop communication at all levels.

C- The Secretariat presents a follow-up report to the Council every four months. These Reports should be considered as indications on the implementation of the tasks assigned to the Secretariat.

D- The Secretariat is in charge of the logistics concerning the meetings of the Council. The programme of each meeting is established after prior consultations between the Secretariat and members of the Council.

E- Finally, the Secretariat is in charge of writing the minutes of each meeting. The report is sent to the other members of the ASF after observations of Council members.

5- Relations with political parties

During the discussions on the Council’s mission, the issue relative to relations with political parties was raised. The consensus reached in this regard was as follows :

1- Political parties can be among the forces of change and share the vision and goals of the Social Movement. They can, in particular, be opposed to the neo-liberal vision and imperialism. In this case, alliances may be possible and even necessary between social movements and political parties.

2) They can participate in the activities of the social movement on the basis of the realities of each country and and each sub-region, but there is no general rule applicable to all countries. The parties cannot however lead the social movement or subject it to their political agendas.

3) Members of political parties may participate in the activities of the Council, in their individual capacity, provided they comply with the Charter of the African and World Social Forum principles.

ANNEX 2 : List of members of working groups set up by the Cairo African Social Forum Council

Program and Methodology

Rabia Abdelkrim
Samir Amin
Amir Salem
Corinne Kumar
Saadi Mohammed Said
Hassan A. Sunmonu
Oduor Ong'wen
Buuba Diop
Godlberg Rindayi
Ouattara Diakalia
Sara Longwe
Fatma Alloo
Bedoui Abdelgelil
Helene Rama Niang
Lassaad Jamoussi
Demba N. Dembele
Taoufik Ben Abdallah

Mobilization

Regis Mtutu
Lebohang Liepollo Pheko
Kiss Brian Abrahams
Mwadhini O. Myanza
Kassahun Belete
Wahu Kaara
Taoufik Ben Abdallah

Youth

Lassaad Jamoussi
Rabia Abdelkrim
Ouattara Diakalia
Buuba Diop
Kassahun Belete
Kiss Brian Abrahams

Resources

Muleya Hachiinda
Hassan A. Sunmonu
Yves Alexandre
Chouala Edward Oyugi
Elizabeth Eilor
Bakary Fofana
Sara Longwe
Taoufik Ben Abdallah

Media

Rabia Abdelkrim
Sengor Diana
Fatma Aloo
Viriato
Kiss Brian Abrahams
Sara Longwe

Culture/ Education/ Art

Lassaad Jamoussi
Fakhry Labib
Buuba Diop
Mwadhini O. Myanza
Hassan Sunmonu
Kiss Brian Abrahams
Kassahun Belete
Helene Niang

Working Committee on WSF 2007

Abdeljelil Bedoui
Elizabeth Eilor
Fatma Alloo
Rabia Abelkrim
Viriato
Muleya Hachiinda
Taoufik Ben Abdallah
Oduor Ongwen
Edward Oyugi
Ouattara Diakalia
Bakary Fofana
Rama Niang
Saadi Mohammed Said
Sara Longwe
Yves Alexandre Chouala
Hassan Sunmonu
Lebohang Liepollo Pheko
Regis Mtutu
Amir Salem
Kassahun Belete

ANNEX 3: Declaration by Participants at the Regional Council for the African Social Forum

African resistance and African alternatives in the face of brutal globalization *

The Regional Council for the African Social Forum met in its first session from 27-30 July, 2004 in Cairo (Egypt) *

The meeting’s purpose was twofold: to prepare for the upcoming third African Social Forum which is to be held in Lusaka in Zambia from the 10th to 14th December, 2004, having already completed the editions in Bamako (2001) and in Addis Ababa (2002), and secondly to prepare the African contributions to the fifth World Social Forum (edition 2005, Porto Alegre, Brazil).

The Regional Council finds that the deteriorating international situation, characterized by the widening of the gap between the rich and the poor, greater concentration of the world’s wealth in the hands of a few multinationals, the use of military force to create * areas of tension and the planning and conducting of wars for the control of natural resources and strategic locations. This is particularly critical in terms of neo-liberalism’s * and the daily * imposed on the Iraqi and Palestinian people and It launched an appeal to the United Nations to cease its policy of * and of complicity * in Rwanda, Kosovo, and now in the Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to put itself resolutely in a real dynamic to This international context makes economic exploitation and political domination, the hegemony of dominant cultural models, * in addition to national, social, cultural and economic resistance struggles issues central to the World Social Forum.

The Council draws attention to the implications of the New American Century and of the EU/ACP agreements and invites African people to mobilize against neo-liberalism and the militarization illustrated by NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), ACRI (African Crises Initiatives Responses), the initiatives of the European leadership and American military (US-EUCOM), the ACSS (African Center for Strategic Studies), ACOTA (African Contingency Operations Training Assistance), IMET *, JCET (Joint Combined Exchange Training) and the Initiative Pan Sahel (military assistance program), which not only work towards securing American access to primary resources in various African sub-regions, but also permit them to pass through the continent by way of maritime and/or air *.

The Council has paid particular attention to expressions of African people’s needs, especially those articulated by workers’ social movements *, youth searching for employment and being used as *, and marginalized and impoverished women. The needs and priorities these movements identify as pertinent are agricultural issues, * self-sufficiency, just and equitable commerce, and access to basic social services (water, electricity, education, health, housing). In brief, they demand social and democratic progress and the promotion and defense of human rights and human dignity.

The Council launches the following appeal:

- To African civil society to reinforce its solidarity, capacity*.

- To youth movements that must be among the movers of the African awakening.

- To women’s movements that have the ability to open the door

of new African initiatives.

- To workers in cities and villages in order to form the locus

of the liberating social front.

- To intellectuals to wholly integrate themselves in emancipatory social movements.

- To members of the African Social Movement in the Ivory Coast and in the Democratic Republic of Congo to intensify dialogue with * to influence the peace processes in their respective countries.

- To the Sudanese social movement to mobilize to peacefully regulate the political, social, cultural, ethnic and economic conflict in Darfur, and the establishment of a democratic state capable of reconciling and federating Sudan’s populations.

- The African Social Movement cannot be an accomplice of silence, of ethnicism or racism, of genocide. It cannot turn a blind eye on humanitarian crises, and must denounce nay political, economic, cultural or symbolic form of violence against any part of the African population, and against humanity.

- It has its support in its struggle by the African press for the freedom of information and the liberty of conscience.

- It has launched an appeal to all African democrats to strengthen the culture of democracy and republic values, and to counteract any repressive tendencies, as manifested for example in the form of autocrats’ unlimited powers.

We await that the African Union takes African civil society’s points of view into consideration and to promote an actual African citizenship and solidarity. The Council invites the African Union to seize the opportunity of the upcoming international economic and information technology summits to defend African people’s causes. The Council realizes that a true African renaissance must serve the interests of the African masses and not those of international capitalists and their African accomplices. Our struggle takes on African cultural heritage.

The Council launches an appeal to African social movements both within the continent and in the diaspora to make the upcoming African Social Forum at Lusaka in December 2004 a vibrant one that reflects the African resistance against and alternatives to liberal globalization.

Cairo, 28th July, 2004

SUMMARY OF PROCEEDINGS AND DECISIONS OF THE MEETING OF THE AFRICAN SOCIAL FORUM COUNCIL