Democratic Governance, Africa

Women's Access to Justice in Rural Africa

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Director of UNDP Africa at the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, 6th of March 2012.

UN Secretary-General To Make First State Visit To Zambia

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

The United Nations Secretary-General will visit Zambia, where he will meet with His Excellency President Michael Sata and other senior officials.

African forum calls for gender equality

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 GMT

The head of UNDP Africa said the region requires dedicated leadership in order to achieve gender equality as well as political commitment from all stakeholders.

Fighting climate change and inequalities key to progress in Africa

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Steady advances in human development in sub-Saharan Africa could stall and even reverse unless bold steps are taken to reduce environmental risks and inequalities in the region and around the world, says the 2011 Human Development Report, released today by UNDP.

Director of UNDP Africa on gender and elections

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 GMT

There is no denying that elections are the hallmark of democratization throughout the world including in Africa. However, elections face a number of challenges.

Reflections on Independence Day in South Sudan

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:00:00 GMT

It seems a little strange to fall asleep in one country and wake up the next day in a completely new one, all without having moved a single step.

Africa should embrace new economic giants and boost social inclusion

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

African countries should develop closer cross-border ties in dealing with traditional and emerging partners so they can boost sustainable and inclusive growth, according to the African Economic Outlook 2011, launched today.

Experiences of other countries can guide democracy in the Arab region

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 04:00:00 GMT

HE Essam Sharaf, Prime Minister of Egypt and UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark , inaugurated today the "International Forum on Pathways of Democratic Transitions: International Experiences, Lessons Learnt and the Road Ahead."

UN launches global partnership to put indigenous rights into action

Fri, 20 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

Four United Nations agencies today launched the first global initiative to put into action the rights enshrined in an international declaration to protect the more than 370 million indigenous peoples who live in some 90 countries around the world.

UN recommits to aid, favourable market access for LDCs

Fri, 13 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

A ten-year international action plan for 48 economically vulnerable nations was announced today by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu of Turkey on the closing day of a UN conference in Istanbul.

5.2m Zambians gear up to vote

Wed, 04 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

On her first visit to Zambia, UNDP Associate Administrator called on 5.2 million registered voters to ensure they turn out on the day of the country's upcoming general elections.

Election experts gather to help Arab states conduct polls

Mon, 02 May 2011 04:00:00 GMT

More than 50 experts from Arab states and from India, Mexico and South Africa gathered in Cairo to help conduct fair and transparent elections in the North African and Middle Eastern countries currently undergoing historic change.

Liberia: 1.7 million sign up to vote with UNDP support

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP is among national and international agencies that laid the groundwork for the 1.7 million Liberians, almost half of them women, who last month completed registration to vote in upcoming elections.

UNDP Administrator praises Southern Sudan's credible referendum process

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Following today's announcement of the southern Sudan referendum results, UNDP Administrator Helen Clark congratulated the Southern Sudanese people on the peaceful and transparent referendum process.

Southern Sudanese vote for independence

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:00:00 GMT

According to the final results announced today by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission, 98.3 percent of the electorate has chosen independence.

UNDP supports Niger elections

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Niger went to the polls on 31 January to choose a new president and parliament, completing a process of transition from military to civilian rule initiated in February 2010.

Early Sudan returns heavily for secession; government prepares to lead

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Nearly 99 percent of South Sudanese have voted for secession in a closely-watched referendum, according to preliminary returns released Friday, 21 January. The referendum is part of a peace deal signed in 2005 which ended 20 years of civil war.

Education key as voters flood polls in Sudan

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Voters in Southern Sudan flooded polling stations this week to decide whether the south of the country becomes independent from the north. The referendum is part of a peace deal signed in 2005 which ended 20 years of civil war.

Panel arrives to monitor voting in Southern Sudan referendum

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Members of the United Nations Secretary-General's Panel tasked with monitoring the upcoming referenda on self-determination in Sudan have arrived in Khartoum to begin a critical visit on the eve of voting in the referendum on the future of Southern Sudan.

UN delivers ballots for historic Southern Sudan referendum

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Today at the Juba airport, the UN delivered ballots for more than 4 million voters to the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau. The ballots will be used on 9 January 2011, in which Southern citizens will choose whether to remain united with the North or to secede and form their own independent country.

2010 Human Development Report analyses long-term development trends

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Most developing countries made dramatic yet often underestimated progress in health, education and basic living standards in recent decades, reveals a detailed new analysis of long-term Human Development Index trends in the 2010 Human Development Report.

Supporting Tanzania's election process

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP successfully helped to register up to 20 million Tanzanians for the elections, in partnership with the two election managment bodies in Tanzania.

Une vedette du football africain se mobilise pour des élections régulières

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Le grand joueur de football Didier Drogba a lancé aujourd'hui une campagne de sensibilisation destinée à attirer l'attention sur la manière dont des élections démocratiques et transparentes dans le monde aident certains des pays les plus pauvres de la planète à sortir de la pauvreté.

UNDP salutes anti-poverty heroes in annual photo contest

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Nearly 1,400 contestants submitted more than 3,000 photos in both the professional and amateur categories. Three top prizes were awarded in each of MDGs categories and the public voted online for a People's Choice award.

New UN website gives access to real-time financial data

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:00:00 GMT

For the first time in UN history, UNDP provides real-time financial information to the public on donor contributions received, amounts transferred to participating organizations, and certified annual expenditure reports.

Kenyans vote for new constitution with UN support

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Kenyans today had two reasons to celebrate - a peaceful referendum and a new constitution, endorsed by 67 percent of the voters.

Film makers add new dimension on Day of World's Indigenous People

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 04:00:00 GMT

The year after cinema blockbuster Avatar put the clash between minerals exploration and environmentally conscious lifestyle into three dimensions, the work of film makers from indigenous communities around the world will be highlighted on the International Day of the World's Indigenous People.

Guinée: Dernière ligne droite avant les présidentielles

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

L'élection présidentielle guinéenne aura lieu le 27 juin. Cette dernière est censée mettre fin à la période de transition amorcée lors des Accords de Ouagadougou, marquant le retour à l'ordre constitutionnel dans le pays.

Paix et sécurité : des priorités pour les présidentielles togolaises

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Le 4 mars, les Togolais éliront leur nouveau président dans un climat d'attente et d'espoir.

Burundi : soutien au processus électoral

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Après plus d'une décennie de guerre, le Burundi a confié à la Commission électorale indépendante (CENI) la tâche délicate d'organiser les secondes élections générales du pays en période de paix.

Rwanda: Building a bridge to better governance

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Under the Delivering as One agenda, the UN is supporting local leaders to work together to bring sustainable, community-led improvements to their citizens.

Capable states a prerequisite for African development

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Experts at a UNDP conference on democratic governance concurred that Africa needs strong, capable states to reach development goals.

Political leaders, UNDP calling for sound democratic governance

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

A major governance summit opened yesterday in Dakar, Senegal, with high-level political leaders stressing the importance of strong states.

Filling the judicial gap in eastern Chad

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 05:00:00 GMT

UNDP, the UN peacekeeping mission and the legal fraternity in Chad are collaborating to fill the gap in judiciary professionals in the eastern part of the country, by training civil servants to perform the functions of magistrates.

La carte d'identité pour un million de burundais en plus

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

Un million de burundais en âge de voter en mai 2010 recevront une carte nationale d'identité gratuite.

UNDP and Japan to train 2,000 police officers in DRC

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT

UNDP and the Japanese aid agency JICA have signed an agreement to train the national police force in North Kivu and the Oriental Province of DRC as soon as January 2010.

Ghana launches development communication club

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

UNDP in Ghana has set up a "communication club" to engage students and journalists on development issues.

Côte d'Ivoire: UN transports voters lists for upcoming poll

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:00:00 GMT

The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) began transporting provisional voters lists to polling stations across the country in preparation for the upcoming presidential election.

Factsheet: UNDP's support to the Mozambique elections

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The fourth general election in Mozambique will take place on Wednesday, 28 October 2009. For the first time ever, provincial assembly elections will be conducted along with the presidential and legislative polls.

More than 1,700 observers oversee Mozambican elections

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Mozambique is almost ready for the elections. Seven helicopters are making the last material deliveries to the polling posts. The police are stationed to secure peace during the elections. The observer groups too, are geared up for their important role.

Journalists commit to fair communication on Mozambique election

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP has helped to organize a series of workshops for journalists around Mozambique as part of the country's ongoing efforts to guarantee free and fair elections on 28 October.

DR Congo: More than a million people register to vote

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:00:00 GMT

More than 1.25 million people have registered to vote in Kinshasa Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the first phase of a countrywide exercise to revise the electoral roll, ahead of local elections scheduled for 2010.

Mozambique prepares for October elections

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP is providing training for election officials and conducting awareness raising activities ahead of the Mozambican elections of October 28.

Mozambique making progress but real challenges lie ahead

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Mozambique has made remarkable progress in the improvement of the lives of its citizens, according to the latest report of the African Peer Review Mechanism.

EC-UNDP-IDEA joint workshop on effective electoral assistance

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The workshop also served as an occasion to launch an e-Learning programme on effective electoral assistance developed by EC, UNDP and IDEA.

31 million voting cards for Congo

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP and the Independent Electoral Commission of Congo (IEC) received the third and final batch of 12,760,000 voting cards at Kinshasa airport.

UNDP Administrator visits the Democratic Republic of Congo

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

During her first trip to Africa as UNDP Administrator, Helen Clark visited a UNDP-supported voter registration center.

New border post key to ending Sierra Leone-Liberia trafficking

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Sierra Leone and Liberia made another break from their charred history of violence and war by establishing a border post at a key crossing for arms trafficking and illegal immigration.

Burkina Faso: Cours d'alphabétisation pour les élus locaux

Fri, 29 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Une trentaine des vélos sont garés devant le mur d'une école rurale à Meguet, 140 kilomètres au nord-est de Ouagadougou.

Voter registration in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Mon, 04 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

With more than 27 million eligible voters in a country that lacks the most basic infrastructure, elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo are no easy task. Therefore, preparations are underway for a large scale voter registration update that begins on June 7.

World Press Freedom Day

Fri, 01 May 2009 04:00:00 GMT

In a significant step towards free media, Sierra Leone is preparing for an independent public-service radio to replace the government-run broadcast service.

Launch of "Getting Ahead: Testimonials of Women in Politics"

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 04:00:00 GMT

The iKNOW Politics film features the stories of prominent women leaders from Burundi, Canada, Ireland, Jordan, Namibia, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, and Uganda.

International Women's Day Special: Faces of strength and courage

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 05:00:00 GMT

March 8 is International Women's Day, an opportunity to remind the world of women's economic, political and social achievements. Find out more about UNDP's work in gender equality and women's empowerment.

Female prison management workers hired in Central African Republic

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Four female prison wardens and 12 female prison guards have been seconded to the Minister of Justice as part of UNDP's Project in Support of Judicial Security.

Somaliland's legal clinic spreads its wings

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A free, Hargeisa-based legal clinic set up by the UNDP four years ago to ensure fair trials sees positive results, and plans to strengthen and expand its efforts.

Grassroots democracy strengthens local government in Puntland

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP continues to help form representative district councils with more women in Puntland, Somalia, in an effort to improve efficiency and responsiveness in local governance.

UNDP to sign US$390 million governance programme with DRC

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo will run though 2012 and aims to support sustainable human development in the country.

Better governance tops Africa's development agenda

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Helping Africa's governments meet the needs of their people is the topic of discussion at a three-day forum which opened here today.

Seventh Africa Governance Forum

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

The Seventh Africa Governance Forum (AGFVII), convened by the Regional Bureau for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will open here on 25 October, bringing together representatives from about 30 African countries to discuss key challenges facing them in capacity development for social, economic and political development.

UN pledges support to Sierra Leone's president-elect

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Southern Sudan's first prison training center now officially open

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

The center will receive up to 1,500 former combatants over the next six months.

UN calls for peaceful Sierra Leone presidential run-off

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

As Sierra Leoneans prepare to elect their president at the run-off polls tomorrow, the United Nations is encouraging all voters to turn out and cast their ballots peacefully.

Youth vote expected to decide Sierra Leone's future

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Ninety-one percent of eligible voters - 56 percent of whom are under the age of 32 - are registered to vote in the first general elections since the departure of UN peacekeepers in 2005.

Musicians sing out for violence free elections in Sierra Leone

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP-supported Artists for Peace' take their peace train to the provinces ahead of August 11 elections.

UNDP Associate Administrator visits Democratic Republic of Congo

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Ad Melkert, UNDP Under-Secretary-General and Associate Administrator, concluded a three-day official visit to Kinshasa and Goma this week, witnessing local responses to the challenge of building democracy in a post-crisis country.

A race to confront the world water crisis: Running the Sahara'

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 05:00:00 GMT

To raise awareness of the burgeoning global water crisis and the broader challenges of the developing world, Charlie Engle of the U.S., Canadian Ray Zahab and Taiwan's Kevin Lin are going for a run--across the Sahara Desert.

Congolese voters turn out for presidential run-off

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 05:00:00 GMT

The Democratic Republic of Congo stepped into the global spotlight again on 29 October when voters headed to the polls for a runoff presidential contest.

Japan grants aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Japan has been supporting Africa's efforts for peace and stability, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the important target countries for such assistance.

UNDP links up American journalists with African press

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP has been encouraging the US-based National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) to share its expertise with Africa, particularly by pursuing creative ways of training African journalists both in the region and through exchanges which would bring them to the US.

Landmark voter turnout in Congo elections

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Eighty percent of the Democratic Republic of Congo's newly registered 25.7 million voters turned out Sunday for the country's first democratic elections in over 40 years.

Behind the scenes of the DR Congo elections

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

It is a good day to work for the United Nations Development Programme. Good, because it is not everyday that you can see the results of your work.

UN Volunteers ready for DR Congo's historic elections

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

About 220 UN Volunteers are assisting with the final preparations in the elections.

Ballots reach polling stations across Democratic Republic of Congo

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP is helping the Congolese to distribute ballots and essential equipment to around 50,000 polling stations.

UN helps Democratic Republic of Congo with elections

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Preparations for the historic 30 July vote for a president and parliament constitute the largest and most complex UN electoral-assistance mission ever undertaken.

Réinsérer les groupes défavorisés au Congo

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Le PNUD et la Banque africaine de développement (BAD) viennent d'entamer un projet d'appui à la réinsertion socio-économique des groupes défavorisés dont bénéficieront 50 000 Congolais au cours des années a venir.

Enhanced public service delivery in Southern Africa

Fri, 07 Jul 2006 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP's South Africa Capacity Initiative (SACI) is helping the sub-region to provide fast and efficient public services.

CNN's Femi Oke returns to Liberia inspired by UNDP's work

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Liberian journalists need a new attitude toward their practice, one which highlights development issues and helps to undergird the peace process. This was the challenge put forth by CNN Inside Africa host Femi Oke and CNN producer Bill Burke at a media forum arranged by UNDP Liberia.

Peer Review gains steam at Africa Governance Forum

Thu, 11 May 2006 04:00:00 GMT

The Sixth Africa Governance Forum ended here today with a dialogue between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso and delegates, who reaffirmed African ownership, management and leadership of the African Peer Review Mechanism while recommending key improvements.

Newly Elected Parliaments in Post-Conflict Countries Need More Support

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 04:00:00 GMT

More than 100 donors and parliamentarians announced their support for new UNDP guidelines designed to boost the vital role of parliamentarians in building peace and preventing crises around the world.

Burundi: Moving Beyond Transitional Government

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 04:00:00 GMT

Global Experience In Supporting Governments (2004-05)

New Police Academy Opens in Somalia

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 05:00:00 GMT

The first police academy to be built in Somalia in several years officially opened in the northeast region.

Dervis Praises Nigeria's Role as Regional Leader, Promises Support for Reform Efforts

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 04:00:00 GMT

UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviş met with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo here today to voice support for the Nigerian government's internal reform efforts and its growing regional leadership role, including its critical contribution to today's successful elections in Liberia and its participation in UN peacekeeping missions elsewhere in Africa.

Rwanda's Parliament Now Leads World in Gender Parity

Wed, 01 Dec 2004 05:00:00 GMT

Rwanda, the tiny tea and coffee-producing country in Central Africa, known to most of the outside world as the place where one million people lost their lives in a genocide in 1994, has now surpassed Sweden as the country with the highest proportion of women legislators.