28 November 2007
editorial
Civil society movements around the world have a role to play in keeping governments in check at all times.
Over the years in Botswana, NGOs have played an important part in nurturing democracy and in helping Government make informed decisions when drafting policy documents.
Although we appreciate this contribution, we must register our disappointment with the Botswana civil society's failure in the crucial issue of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
The way our civil society, especially trade unions, has behaved in the face of EPAs has been nothing less than dismal. Their lukewarm response came late, and - predictably - had no impact.
The way our NGOs behaved was as though the negotiations between European Union (EU) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) nations had only started in November 2007 when these talks were actually launched as far back as 2004.
It was only in the last rounds of the talks that the unions started picking up the story from newspapers.
In a reaction that has had no consequence to the outcome of the talks, the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) only two weeks ago called its member-unions to a meeting in Palapye to discuss the EPAs.
Only last week, another civil society group held a press conference in Gaborone to air its displeasure at what the EU was proposing.
These meetings and late responses missed a golden opportunity to potentially alter the course by contributing to the debate in time.
As it turns out, the interim agreement Botswana has signed up to is not an ordinary trade agreement; it is a new form of doing business that could disrupt trade within the ACP.
But at least the BFTU has made a commitment to sensitise its constituencies and communities on trade issues and to participate effectively in all consultations and negotiations on trade agreements in future.
Also, we think under the interim agreement that Botswana recently signed, local NGOs would rise to the occasion and have their voice heard.
Other NGOs from across the continent have been raising their voices and even attended the negotiations from the sidelines.
Botswana civil society should use this window and join others in making sure that EPAs would not be detrimental to our countries.
NGOs like Africa Trade Network (ATN) based in Ghana, Project Syndicate and South Centre have had their voices heard on EPAs.
Today's Thought
Let's be proactive, not reactive.
- Jim Morris
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