CSOs Call for Strengthened Social Accountability in SADC Public Resource Management
The dialogue is expected to produce a set of recommendations that will be presented to the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Heads of State and Government.
Harare, Zimbabwe-Civil society organizations (CSOs) from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region are calling for strengthened social accountability in public resource management, writes Winston Mwale.
The call was made by Joy Mabenge from ActionAid Zimbabwe at the opening of the 4th Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-30 in Harare, Zimbabwe, on August 14.
The dialogue, which is being held in a hybrid format, brings together CSOs, government officials, and members of the SADC Parliamentary Forum to discuss the implementation of the RISDP and ways to improve social accountability.
"Social accountability is at the heart of good and effective governance, and the provision of gender-responsive public services at all levels," said Mabenge of ActionAid Zimbabwe, one of the co-conveners of the dialogue.
"Civil society understanding and participation in planning, budgeting, and oversight processes is also critically important at all levels – locally, nationally, and internationally."
The dialogue is taking place on the sidelines of the 44th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, which is focusing on promoting innovation for sustained economic growth and development.
The CSOs are calling for the operationalization of the Regional Development Fund, which is intended to finance the RISDP.
They are also concerned about the impact of climate-related disasters, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine on public finances.
"We applaud the approval of the SADC NSA Engagement Mechanism and look forward to participating in its piloting over the next year," Mabenge said.
"We also celebrate SADC's encouragement of its member states to create and strengthen and ensure the inclusivity of the important SADC National Committees."
The dialogue is expected to produce a set of recommendations that will be presented to the SADC Secretariat and the SADC Heads of State and Government.