This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
December 15, 2019, marked a turning point in the discussion around civil society's role in governance and development. A regional meeting in the Horn of Africa sparked heated debate on the definition and relevance of civil society in conflict management.
As a long-time advocate for the importance of civil society, I was taken aback by the intensity of the discussion. It was not just government representatives who questioned civil society's role, but also academics and intellectuals who had previously accepted its relevance.
The debate centered around the notion that civil society's contributions were no longer relevant, and that its members were more focused on politics than on their core mandate. One participant even suggested that civil society's role was to provide humanitarian aid and support health services, but not to engage in conflict management.
However, I believe that civil society's challenges stem from its handling of political questions. When members of civil society take partisan political sides, they move away from their defined role and join active politics. This makes it impossible to judge their work outside of the political lens.
Moreover, the impact of civil society's work should be judged by those they impact. People need to see, feel, and fully appreciate their work. Instead of being on the defensive or dismissive of such sentiments, civil society should provide ground for introspection and readjustment if necessary.
The challenges facing society are complex and cannot be solved by governments alone. This justifies the involvement of non-state actors, including civil society, private sector, faith-based organizations, and trade unions. Improvements are necessary in how they all operate, including civil society.
