International Symposium on Endogenous Governance Systems in Africa
11-12 May 2022
Co-Convened by Afrospectives and Global Humanity for Peace Institute
Session 1: Showcasing Endogenous Systems of Governance in Africa
Panellists’ presentations addressed some of the following questions:
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What are the metaphysical, spiritual and philosophical foundations of the studied system of governance?
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How is power organised, shared, delegated, and expressed within the system of governance? What roles do the stakeholders play (elders, youth, women, spiritual leaders, healers and other entities)?
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How does the governance system facilitate consensus-building on major issues of concerned communities?
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What are the approaches and processes involved in dealing with unexpected situations, such as contestation, divergence, disagreement, and so forth?
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How does the community monitor and evaluate the working of the system and the roles of the decision-makers and leaders?
Session One’s discussions sought to identify core values, processes, approaches and practices that are common to African systems of governance, on which an African political philosophy might be built.
These discussions were skilfully and excellently facilitated by Mshaï Mwangola, an oraturist and performance scholar who uses the lens of culture in her work as an artist, academic and activist.
Welcome and Introduction by Dr Ali MOUSSA IYE, Co-Founder of Afrospective
Philosophy and Cosmogony of Ancient Egypt by Dr Yoporeka Somet
Xeer Issa: A pastoral democracy by Dr Ali MOUSSA IYE
Welcome from Prof. Scherto Gill, Director of the GHfP Institute
The Oromo Gada System by Prof. Zelalem Tesfaye Sirna
Awale: Dialogue and consensus building through a Game by Ze Belinga
First Human social organisations and Governance in Africa by Prof Augustin Holl
The Kurukan Fuga Charter of Mali Empire by Dr. Ibrahim Iba N’Diaye
Discussions
Videos:
Session 2: Experiences of Revalorising Endogenous Systems of Governance
Experiences of Revalorising Endogenous Systems of Governance
Panellists’ presentations addressed some of the following questions:
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In what specific contexts and at what levels are these traditional African systems of governance applied?
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What are the various limitations and the challenges met in these experiences?
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What are the main results and lessons to be learnt from these experiences?
Session Two’s discussions aimed to highlight the main principles, values, and paradigms of African endogenous systems of governance. It explored how these might contribute to the current debate and understanding on governance and collective well-being.
The recommendations are especially concerned with how these shared insights might be applied in the following situations:
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mechanisms and processes of consensus building,
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mode(s) of representation, including the protection of minority groups’ representation,
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approaches to and practices of decision-making,
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processes to select leaders and establish leadership, e.g. symbolic representation of authority and unity
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systems of civic education
Session Two may also define key guidelines for African countries who are interested and willing to explore and revitalise traditional or indigenous African systems of governance.
Discussions were skilfully and excellently facilitated by Professor Augustin Holl.