EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

Introduction

The Democratic Republic of Congo

became independent in 1960 and, soon Realising effective and after, it declined into chaos with sustainable democratic divisions along ethnic lines. The media governance in Southern Africa was still influenced by the colonial and beyond legacy and became a divisive force separating groups along ethnic and regional lines. When Mobutu took over the government helm, he introduced a The State of the Media in the one party state with both the print and 1 electronic media falling under state Democratic Republic of Congo control. In early 1990, the liberalisation of political activities was followed by an explosion in private media activities, in By both print and audiovisual format. Claude Kabemba Today, the DRC has a free and diverse media- making it one of the most diverse and free on the continent. The quality of information however, and the role of the media in the democratization process leaves much to be desired.

The DRC is going through a political transition after long negotiations known as the Inter-Congolese Dialogue. These

negotiations were concluded in Pretoria

in 2003. The country is expected to hold

its first democratic elections in June 2005 after the 44 years of its independence. In this transition, the ISBN: ISSN: 1811-7449 media is expected to play a critical role as the conduit of communication ISSN: 1811-7449 between the political parties engaged in © EISA, 2005 an effort to access power and on the other side, between the institutions of transition and the citizens. The media is expected to contribute to the maintenance of peace by producing information that builds the nation rather 1 This study was commissioned by the Institute than having the effect of destroying it. of advancement of Journalism (AIJ). This This paper provides an overview of the study was completed in October 2004. The state of the media in the DRC and the author made some amendments to the original role it is playing in the current transition. paper. The information in this paper was It is the result of a week-long field trip collected through interviews with key media stakeholders in the capital , DRC in undertaken in the DRC in October 2004. October 2004 The study was done on half of the - 1 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

Institute of the Advancement of one of the most reputable media Journalism. The information was institutes in the country; the University collected through interviews, discussions of Kinshasa’s Department of with media professionals, the print Communication and the Catholic media, the electronic media and training University of Kinshasa’s Department of institutions in the capital, Kinshasa. Communication..

Media Policy Environment The main five media main umbrella organisations that deal with media issues At the inter-Congolese Dialogue, include: delegates agreed on a free press which will play a role in the transition process. • Union National de la Press du The media in Congo is governed by the Congo (UNPC). While its 1996 Media Law Relative to the function is the promotion of the Freedom of Expression and as such, media, it is not a media guarantees freedom of expression. association as such. Its members However, it is a law promulgated during include organisations that work the one party state period. Although, the with the media - NGOs, media is purportedly free, in reality, it is journalists, labour groups, not. Despite the fact that the freedom of universities and IFASIC. There the press is guaranteed by law, the are media unions that are not application is different. Journalists have part of UNPC but according to been harassed, kidnapped and many, UNPC is the most imprisoned and the law in many recognised media union in the instances does not protect journalists. In country. an effort to see the Congolese media • Observatoire des Media au playing a key role in the transition, the Congo (OMC): This supervises Constitution of transition devotes at least the behaviour of journalists in three Articles to the Press (see Art 27, 28 terms of ethics. It sanctions the and 29). These articles refer to the media houses or journalists who freedom of expression, freedom of the not conform to the deontology of press and access to information. It is also the profession. However, the in the same spirit designed to empower judgement on the sanction is the the media and ensure its independence, responsibility of UNPC. that the Inter-Congolese Dialogue put in • La Haute Autorite Des Media place what is called La Haute Autorité (HAM) supervises media des Media (The High Authority of the adherence to the law and Press). Its role and mission are regulations. It is one of the five entrenched in the constitution but it has section 21 institutions that not been able to function at full strength emanated from the Inter for lack of resource and human capacity. Congolese Dialogue to support the democratic process in the DRC. Media Institutes and Umbrella • The Congolese Communities Organisations Radios Association (ARCCO). Supervises community radios The DRC has also dozens of media institutes and departments of communication at universities The State of the Media responsible for the training of journalists. Kinshasa has three main The state of the media in the Democratic institutes, the Institute Facultaire des Republic of Congo is a reflection of the Sciences de l’ Information (IFASIC) is socio-economic and political

- 2 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005 environment of the country. Just as the challenges that force them to disregard economy and the politics of the country professionalism and quality for monetary need salvation, there is equally a need to return. salvage the media. The media continues to be politicised. The public media, both Most of the papers in Kinshasa have television and radio, are controlled by daily and weekly editions. Kinshasa has the party in power. Journalists of the 8 big daily newspapers—Le Potentiel, Congolese National Radio and Le Phare, LÓbservateur, La Référence Television (RTNC) are subjected to Plus, Le Parmares, Forum des As, La political intervention that makes T mpete des Tropiques et l’ Ávenir. reporting very biased. The DRC media ê landscape is dominated by private media These papers have some sort of company which includes television, radio and structure but have difficulty in surviving newspapers, is also not neutral but business-wise. The content of their papers is politicised and of very poor reflect the political, religious and ethnic 2 inclinations of the owners. professional quality.

The media in the rest of provinces face The media is also a profession that is even greater critical challenges and most divided, and without vision. There is the papers do not appear on a regular total disregard for ethics and basis. professionalism by the media houses and journalists. Journalists are driven more Province Number of by financial return than by the need to Newspapers provide credible and accurate Kinshasa 108 information to the public. This has Katanga 50 contributed to undermine the quality of Kasai Occidental 4 the information. Kasai Oriental 28 Bas Congo 8 Kinshasa has the biggest concentration 5 of the media and, according to the Equateur 4 statistics produced by the Media Union of CONGO (UPC), 80% of Congolese Province Oriental 4 media houses are located there. Nord Kivu 0 Sud Kivu 4 Source: La Haute Autorité des média, Newspapers Kinshasa

There are at least 213 newspapers The province of Katanga has 50 papers, countrywide and Kinshasa, alone has with only 15 in operation; North Kivu 108 newspapers production houses, has 12 newspapers, Kasai Oriental has according to the Ministry of Media and 28; le Bas-Congo 8; Orientale has 4; Le Information, of which only 64 publish Kasai Occidental has 4, Le Sud Kivu has regularly. The public takes newspapers 4, while le Maniema has no papers at articles seriously but it is said that most all. Most the print media face the same of the information published is not challenge of lack of equipment and verified. Many of the articles are bought. market. Congolese who have no Journalists are paid by any one who purchasing power do not buy wants to publish an article. This reveals newspapers but prefer to read the absence of a sense of responsibility newspapers on the floor as they being within the media fraternity. Journalists, sold. because they have been paid, can publish false and unverified information. Most journalists, although passionate about 2 Etat des Lieux, problematique et Enjeux da la their profession are faced with social Press Congolaise, La Haute Authorite Des Media, Kinshasa, 2004 - 3 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

only radio capable of reaching all the Audiovisual provinces.

The DRC has at least 52 private It seems as if the electronic media television stations and 119 radios (These expanded in early 1990 without proper include public, commercial and religious preparation, planning and adequate stations). The allocation of frequencies is resources. The TV depends on publicity made without verification, causing close to survive. Kinshasa has only three saturation of the airwaves. Radio and TV companies - the two big beer companies stations have no real infrastructure to Primus and Skol and a communication even allow them to go on air, indicating company Vodacom - that have money to the casual and mindless approach to spend on publicity. There is fierce media activities in the DRC. competition among the media houses to capture the interest of these three companies.

Community Radios Table: The number of Radio and TV stations per province Radio remains the mode of information the most popular and accessible to most Province Radio Televisions citizens, especially in the provinces Stations Stations where the production of the newspapers Kinshasa 23 25 is very limited. Congo has a vast Katanga 16 5 network of community radios with an Kasai Occidental 16 5 estimated 135 countrywide. These Kasai Oriental 13 5 stations are organised under the umbrella Bas Congo 12 5 of the Congolese Communities Radios Bandundu 5 1 Association or ARCCO. It is important Equateur 4 1 to say that the community radio is quite Province Oriental 6 0 a recent phenomenon in the DRC, only Nord Kivu 16 3 commencing in about 1998. They were Sud Kivu 6 1 created to cover the vacuum created by the failure of the national radio to cover Source: La Haute Autorité des média, specific community issues and the Kinshasa limited coverage of commercial radios.

No private radio or television has a Television channels focus on protocol, broadcasting capacity beyond the limits the reporting of meetings and of the city or locality where the conferences and they have no well- transmitter is installed. researched documentaries and stories.

There is a total absence of investigative Community radios lack the necessary journalism with both TV and radio resources and expertise. Most of these content failing to capture the reality of function through transmitters created by the society. Instead, they opt for the individuals in the community. There is simple way out, music. Radio and TV great potential for any external focus on what is easy to broadcast – intervention to further activate this entertainment, music and movies but sector of the media. Their impact on the even here, they are not very creative. communities is extensive as they

concentrate on the issue of proximity. However, as mentioned above, there are Contrary to commercial radio stations categories that are distinctive: the which have no educational programmes, community radios and . these stations are known for their Radio Okapi is the MONUC radio, the sensitisation approach in different areas.

- 4 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

The number of TV, radios and contribute to the low circulation: lack of newspapers should not create a wrong trust in the media, lack of a reading impression. The number simply reflects culture, and the citizens’ weak the casual approach to media activities in purchasing power. Among these, the the DRC. This frivolous and first seems to take pre-eminence. There irresponsible attitude can be ascribed to is a constant outcry from the population both the public authorities who issue that the information they receive both licences and the media company owners from the print media and audiovisual, is who enter the market as source of inadequate, irrelevant and manipulated. enrichment. The media in the DRC is Following are some of the factors that facing serious challenges which impact contribute to the poor quality and lack of negatively on their contribution to the professionalism suffered by the transition process. Congolese journalist:

The Quality of Reporting Weak interpretation of society

The quality of reporting is very poor. The information produced by the media The media in the DRC is only interested in general is not appreciated by the in politics which is understandable. The Congolese people. The main cause is the citizens are preoccupied with the absence of qualified journalists. This is resolution of the political impasse more due to the fact that the quality of training than anything else. When one scrutinises has deteriorated alongside the collapse the information, however, there is no of the state. The poor quality is not serious work being done to produce simply a reflection of the lack of relatively accurate, original pieces of knowhow, though this is a major factor. work. Despite the day-to-day hardship, Deleted: - The DRC has, after all, had some of the there is not much reporting on the best journalists in Central Africa coming economy. It is also possible to find from training schools in the country. The reports dealing with diplomacy but after poor quality is also results from the politics, music has the largest coverage. Deleted: P One has to appreciate however, the adoption of negative values by Deleted: the consequence Congolese journalists. There is a total effort made by the Congolese journalists absence of ethics and respect for the considering the conditions under which Deleted: of media deontology by most journalists. they operate. The conditions in the Although media houses exist to monitor country are not conducive to Deleted: there are and supervise the behaviour and conduct professional and effective journalism. of journalists, they are also disorganised Most printing media use old equipment and lack professionalism. left behind by the Belgians.

The nature of reporting it is not up to Inefficient Education and Training standard. There are serious weaknesses, Systems which have caused Congolese citizens to not value the information given to them. Many Congolese journalists are proud of Most people do not buy newspapers. their institutions of higher learning, Although the problem has also to do which they claim are very good. with the economic situation, as we will However, a closer look suggests just the see below, citizens in general, are not opposite. Most institutions concentrate happy with quality of the content. For on theory with no emphasis on practice. example, the biggest paper in the capital The infrastructure of all institutions has Kinshasa produces only 3000 copies a collapsed. Lecturers have no access to day for a population estimated at 8 new materials or books to improve their million and still it is unable to sell all the programmes and their moral is too low copies. There are three factors that - 5 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005 to expect them to give maximum time to The DRC has no independent media. It their teaching programmes. seems the training given has not created a credible media. The quality of It is estimated, according to a study journalism remains weak. There is need conducted by Panos Paris, that there are to promote media houses that are at least 2 800 trained journalists independent. In most cases, reporting is practicing across the country. influenced by the chief manager’s sentiments and the information is Number of journalists by province manipulated according to his/her Deleted: J political or ethnic tendencies There is Provinces Number only one radio station that was Kinshasa 1800 applauded for its professionalism and Katanga 370 that is Radio Okapi. Radio Okapi is the Kasai Occidental 120 MONUC station. Its success is due to the Bas Congo 70 better conditions of service enjoyed by Kasai Oriental 124 its journalists and reporters. Unlike their Bandundu 40 colleague in local media houses, Okapi’s Equateur 40 journalists are relatively well paid and Province Orientale 65 have the necessary professional support Nord Kivu 80 in terms of access to relevant equipment. Maniema 60 It is the only short wave radio in the country. As is the case with most of the Sud Kivu 120 radios and televisions stations, Radio Source: La Haute Autorite Des Media, Okapi broadcasts in five languages— Kinshasa French, , Tshiluba, Swahili and

Kikongo. French is the official language

and the remaining four are national The DRC has had a very good media languages. It is the only radio that covers education system. Most old journalists political processes in the country with came from sound Congolese schools of some degree of impartiality and it also journalism, which unfortunately have has educational programmes in all of the been affected by the socio-economic languages. situation. The infrastructure has all but disappeared. For example, lecturers do However, bad reporting is not purely not get paid for months on end; there are linked to education or training. While no studios and libraries. New technology training has been lacking, there is no related to journalism in terms of doubt the level of education in high reporting are not part of the Congolese institutions of learning and centres of structure. This includes the lack of training have deteriorated. access to Internet for most journalists.

All these problems are the reflections of the country’s politics and economy. Bad conditions of service for journalists

There are permanent outside organisations in the Congo providing Beside the absence of both high calibre training to journalists. These include personnel and professional values, the international partners such as PANOS, media in the DRC also lacks the Konrad Adenauer, Groupement de necessary infrastructure and resources to recherche and technology and UNESCO. perform or produce quality news and There are also local institutions that programmes. The socio-economic organise training. However, these difficulties in which the country finds interventions have been sporadic, limited itself in has prompted media owners to and lacking in coordination. become more interested in monetary return than in the provision of credible information. The need for credible media - 6 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005 in Congo is so pressing that it requires with the information according to an urgent and well -planned intervention journalistic norms. They debase the truth to enable it to provide a professional and other values of media freedom. service. Subjectivity has replaced objectivity in the way in which journalists treat Most media houses do not have the information. infrastructure and equipment to enable them to be in business. In serious and Certainly, with this approach, reporting organised states, most media houses in has become open to manipulation. In the the DRC would have long been closed. DRC information is not always correct They all lack the necessary equipment as it reflects what the person who pays such studios, cameras and have no the money wants to hear. There is a access to new technology for the deep gap between the training received collection of data. This situation is not and practice. There is no professionalism only specific to the media. It is the and most journalists, reporters and reflection of the impact of economic station managers lack ethics. Those who hardship experienced by the entire sometimes try to instil a level of honesty society. Most printing equipment is that (correct reporting) often find themselves left behind by the Belgians and is unable in serious trouble with political to produce quality work. They are just authorities in the main. The media is also too old to be maintained. Most media seriously influenced to protect groups houses have no access to computers and such as family, ethnic, or cliques with journalists have no telephones. Although financial influence. most of them have cell phones, as they are not paid, they do not use their cell Congolese citizens do not trust phone for work related activities unless journalists. In Congo, as one person put there is some financial return. it, the media is about making money and because of this situation people in Congo The media do not have the necessary do not read newspapers. As mentioned resources to collect information. In most previously, the total print media in cases, they rely on fees paid by the Kinshasa produces only 3000 copies person providing information. The daily for a population of 8 million influence of money has had a very people. With high poverty and negative impact on reporting since the unemployment in the country people do interviewee dictates the terms in this not have the luxury of buying relationship on what should and should newspapers. In many instances, not be published or transmitted. In the newspapers are reproduced by DRC, the interviewee produces the news individuals who sell the copies on the and not the journalist. There exists a street at a reduced price. phenomenon called “le Coupage”. It is simply a financial remuneration given to Most Congolese media houses do not a professional journalist to influence have financial capacity to finance in- him/her to broadcast or publish a depth reporting. Most reporting focuses particular programme or information. It on the day-to-day events, which are is corrupt behaviour whereby a journalist biased and factually incorrect. There is is given money in exchange for no investigative journalism in Congo publishing information. There exists because of lack of resources. serious doubt on the objectivity of the media reports in the DRC. The reality of Economic Hardship and Poverty the media in the DRC points to negative values. Congolese journalists who are The economic hardship has also affected involved in the “coupage” phenomenon the way in which the media operates and have a privileged relationship with the reports in the country. Most journalists source of information rather than dealing in all sectors receive very low salaries - 7 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005 that vary between 15 to 200 US dollars volunteers and are not remunerated and depending on the various categories. as such, they are in a position of Salaries are not paid regularly. This weakness. With no remuneration most forces journalists to indulge in improper journalists go around searching, not for behaviour which affects the quality of news, but for people who can pay them information. to publish their stories. The consequence is the lack seriousness and objectivity evident in most publications Political Manipulation and information. Journalists are being paid by the providers of information who Many of the private media houses then, quite logically influence the belong to politicians. There are also content of the reports. those, although do not belong to a particular politician, have a political There are no collective conventions and inclination towards one political party or contracts of service. Due to an ignorance figure. In addition, the public media of the laws that regulate the media, works as part of the government service. journalists are most of the time, misused It answers to the Minister and thus and have problems in organising and cannot take the initiative and fighting for their rights. In fact, in most professional risk necessary to improve media houses do not have human on the quality of information. Since the resource departments. The private media DRC has been divided in the different functions without a collective administrations, those armed groups who convention which makes a human control the different territories also resource department unnecessary. control the flow of information. This is why even the Radio Okapi which comprises nine stations: Kinshasa, Way Forward for the Media in , , , , the DRC Kalemi, , and sometimes has difficulty in operating What has emanated from this study is freely in all these areas. that the media in the DRC is faced with serious challenges. Its contribution to the transition process seems very limited, if Difficulty in Accessing the Correct not non existent. The general Information observation is one of lack of both professionalism and a sense of This has to do with lack of skill or responsibility. There is an urgent need proper training. In the DRC, there is no to train journalists in all areas of the capacity to undertake investigative profession. An attempt follows to journalism. For example, journalists propose areas that require urgent have difficulties in accessing attention and what certain South African information from the public sector. They institutions, such as EISA and the IAJ also do not have the necessary resources could do to contribute to the to go out and seek information. empowerment of the media in the DRC and thus enable them to contribute to the democratisation process currently Lack of Protection for Journalists underway.

Journalists are not protected by the law There is an urgent need to assist in the and by the media houses. It seems that development of a suitable media law and there is no guidance to support young the establishment of an Independent journalists who enter the profession. Broadcasting Authority. The legal Most journalists, at least 80%, work as framework would need to have the confidence of all stakeholders. The - 8 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

‘lessons learned’ from transitional states The media also needs to be supported in in the region will greatly inform the terms of infrastructure and technology. decisions to be made and applied in the There are journalists in this modern age DRC. It is crucial that journalists and who have not used a computer and who media houses know and understand the cannot surf the Internet. There is also legal environment within which they are need for management skills. Most people operating. There is a serious concern who own media houses in the DRC about the media law. External came into the profession by accident. organisations should consider supplying They have no idea as how to manage a the expertise needed to harmonise the media company: on occasion they are media legal framework. The elaboration simultaneously both the director and of these instruments would go a long accountant. They operate on a day-to- way to protect journalists against day basis with no planning at all. The political actors and station managers, training here should focus both on editors or producers manipulations. As broader issues of management and on soon as the legislation has been adopted, specificities related to the media it must be popularised countrywide. industry. There is need to train Congolese media outlets in advocacy and lobbying. There As for the transition, there is need to are already organisations in the DRC build media capacity for meaningful performing outstanding contributions to participation in the electoral process. A this area but more work is needed. massive Elections Training Project is needed for journalists on the reporting

and monitoring of the entire electoral It will also be critical to focus on process in the DRC. This is likely to be strengthening journalistic skills and to one of, if not the largest mobilisation of improve on the capacity of the media journalists in the DRC. houses. The need to educate journalists on the ethics and deontology of Election focussed training seems to be journalism is an area of great an immediate need in the light of the importance. As has emerged throughout planned election. Journalist must be this study, the Congolese journalist, at given the necessary skill on how to least on the surface or through a clinical report elections in a country emerging observation of output and behaviour, from civil war. There is need to train lacks the necessary skill to adequately trainers in election reporting. A training perform the job. There is a great need for module for the entire country needs the training of journalists in the DRC but elaboration - on how to collect, analyse this does not mean there is no training information and on the observation of going on in the DRC. The basic terms of elections. As has been demonstrated, training are being covered but they seem there is a critical need for training in the to be of very poor quality. The question DRC that needs to be asked is whether the training received so far corresponds to A suggestion of a long term project in the needs on the ground? There are this effort to contribute the areas that urgently need training. These democratisation process could be the include collection of data, analysis of creation of a Journalist Training Centre information and writing and reporting for Democracy. Different techniques. Journalists also seldom meet categories/sectors of journalists – print to discuss their common problems in an media, audiovisual, Community radios - open and transparent manner. There is a would be trained, each in their own need to encourage the level of exchange sphere, on the nature of democracy and among journalists. This could be done the demands that democracy place on through conferences, workshops and day-to-day activities. This project would radio and TV debates. be an opportunity to explore the

- 9 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005 concepts of democracy and citizenship The DRC is the principal reservoir of and the impact of the media in the world strategic materials which are the democratisation process. Courses could envy of both regional and international be designed to empower journalists to powers. The DRC needs to be protected understand and report efficiently in a by a truly democratic state, enabling it to manner that unifies the country. Based make a contribution to the development on this orientation towards democratic of the continent as a whole. The media prerogatives, a network of journalists holds the crucial key in promoting the working on elections and democracy culture of democracy and good could then be created. It is here that governance but it needs the necessary external actors could intervene by support to play its role efficiently and advising on he structure as well as correctly. Training in various spheres is providing guidance on monitoring and vital and covers the collection of data, reporting on each phase of the electoral analysis, packaging, production, writing process. A training-of-trainers skills, introduction of journalists to new methodology would be developed with technology and exchange of experiences. materials and handbook to support the In the short term, training could focus on exercise. Technical assistance would be election reporting in preparation of the provided on writing a strategic plan general democratic elections planned for aimed at a comprehensive coverage on 2006. The people of the Congo need to election-day. be equipped to make informed decisions or choices in determining their future Conclusion and the media can play a seminal role in Formatted: Font: 14 pt, Complex Script Font: 14 pt this process.

References

Jerome Ngongo Tauny; Public Information and the Media: radio Okapi’s Contribution to the Peace Process in the DRC. Mark Malan and Joao Gomes Porto (eds) Challenges of Peace Implementation: the UN Mission in the DRC, 2004.

Jean-Louis Roy; Les Entraves a L’exercice de la liberté de la Presse en République démocratique du Congo, African Media Institute, Kinshasa, RDC, 2004

Constitution of Transition, 2003

Rapport Annuel sur l Etat de l’Exercise de la Liberte de la Presse en Republique Democratique du Congo, African Media Institute, 2003

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claude Kabemba is a Programme Manager in the EISA Research Department Email: [email protected]

- 10 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

THE EISA MISSION STATEMENT

To strengthen electoral processes, democratic governance, human rights and democratic values through research, capacity building, advocacy and other strategically targeted interventions.

ABOUT EISA

EISA is a not-for-profit and non-partisan non-governmental organisation which was established in 1996. Its core business is to provide technical assistance for capacity building of relevant government departments, electoral management bodies, political parties and civil society organisations operating in the democracy and governance field throughout the SADC region and beyond. Inspired by the various positive developments towards democratic governance in Africa as a whole and the SADC region in particular since the early 1990s, EISA aims to advance democratic values, practices and enhance the credibility of electoral processes. The ultimate goal is to assist countries in Africa and the SADC region to nurture and consolidate democratic governance. SADC countries have received enormous technical assistance and advice from EISA in building solid institutional foundations for democracy. This includes electoral system reforms; election monitoring and observation; constructive conflict management; strengthening of parliament and other democratic institutions; strengthening of political parties; capacity building for civil society organisations; deepening democratic local governance; and enhancing the institutional capacity of the election management bodies. EISA is currently the secretariat of the Electoral Commissions Forum (ECF) composed of electoral commissions in the SADC region and established in 1998. EISA is also the secretariat of the SADC Election Support Network (ESN) comprising election- related civil society organisations established in 1997.

- 11 - EISA OCCASIONAL PAPER NUMBER 30, March 2005

EISA OCCASIONAL PAPERS CODE TITLE OP 1 Municipal Elections in 1999, P. Roome, 1999 OP 2 An Overview of Local Government: Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998, R. Cameron, 1999 OP 3 An Analysis of the Legal Framework for Elections, Lisa Thornton, 1998 OP 4 Voter Registration & Demarcation in Local Government, B. Gerber , 1998 OP 5 South African Electoral Commission: The Old and the New, Glenda Fick, 1998 OP 6 An Analysis of the Constitutional and Legal Framework For Elections in the Local Government Sphere, D. Craythorne OP 7 Developmental Local Government and Local Economic Development, F. Khan, 1998 OP 8 Techniques of Public Participation in Local Government, Doreen Atkinson, 1997 OP 9 Issues of Representation in Local Government, Doreen Atkinson, 1997 OP 10 Local Government: A Review of Selected Legislation, Glenda Fick, 2001 OP 11 Conflict Management Programme Report: South Africa Local Government Election, August- December 2000, EISA AND IEC OP 12 Survey of Electoral Systems and Reform Imperatives in the SADC Region, Khabele Matlosa, 2003 OP 13 Impact of Democracy on Public Participation in the SADC Region, Claude Kabemba, 2003 The OAU, NEPAD and the Promotion of Good Governance in Africa, OP 14 John Akokpari, 2003 OP 15 Democratic Consolidation and Political Parties in Lesotho, Wole Olaleye , 2003 Party Systems in the SADC Region: In Defence of the Dominant Party System, Shumbana Karume, OP 16 2004 OP 17 Interrogating Challenges for Intra-Party Democracy in Southern Africa, Khabele Matlosa, 2004 OP 18 Political Parties and Governance in Zimbabwe, Wole Olaleye, 2004 OP 19 Ethnic Conflict in the Horn of Africa, Victor Shale, 2004 OP 20 Impact of HIV/AIDS on Electoral Processes in Southern Africa, Kondwani Chirambo, 2004 Decentralisation, Development and Conflict: Challenges Awaiting Local Authorities in Lesotho, OP 21 Victor Reatile Shale, 2004 Democratisation, Dominant Parties, and Weak Opposition: The Southern African Project, Chris OP 22 Landsberg, 2004 Election Monitoring and Observation in Nigeria and South Africa: A Decade Review, Adewale OP 23 Banjo, 2004 OP 24 Mauritius Electoral Reform Process, L. Amédée Darga, 2004 The Dominant Party System: Challenges for South Africa’s Second Decade of Democracy, Heidi OP 25 Brooks, 2004 Perspectives on the Role of Key Stakeholders in the DRC’s Political Transition, OP 26 Claude Kabemba, 2004 OP 27 Towards an Understanding of Contemporary Conflict in Zanzibar, Shumbana Karume, 2004 Demarcating local authorities’ boundaries for good governance versus the people -to- people OP 28 relations: the case study of Lesotho, Victor Reatile Shale, 2005 An Analysis of the Implementation of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Ghana, Kenya and OP 29 Mauritius, Grant Masterson, 2005 To order or for a full list of list publications contact [email protected]

EISA 2nd Floor, The Atrium 41 Stanley Avenue, Auckland Park 2092, South Africa

P.O. Box 740, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa Tel 27-11-4825495 Fax 27-11-4826163 http://www.eisa.org.za/EISA/publications/publications.htm

- 12 -