USAID/OTI Angola Program Description
FY 2003 Budget - $3,500,000
Background
The situation in Angola changed dramatically during 2002, with UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi's unexpected death quickly followed by a cease-fire, a renewed commitment to the peace process, and the rapid demobilization of UNITA forces. After some 40 years of war, these developments present a unique opportunity to invigorate Angola's stalled democratic transition. For the first time in the history of Angolan independence, the government no longer has a wartime or national security justification for its poor governance performance. In addition, a nascent political transformation now appears to be underway, with elections widely anticipated for 2004 or 2005. However, indigenous pro-democracy forces are currently weak and scattered. A fast, flexible small-grants program targeting civil society, media and legislative strengthening over the next 24 months could help ensure that the elections are as meaningful as possible, which in turn could help make the difference between a more equitable and democratic peace or continued single-party dominance and poor governance.
Program Goals and Objectives
USAID/OTI's goal in Angola is to help establish the foundation for a more democratic, more transparent, and ultimately more peaceful Angola. USAID/OTI will work under and enhance USAID/Angola's existing Democracy and Governance (DG) programs in Angola with a new flexible and rapid-disbursing small-grants program, forming one coordinated and targeted transition assistance program. This program will support activities that spread and strengthen participatory democratic practices and promote greater political competition, accountability, and transparency. USAID/OTI's initial objectives are to:
- Promote civil society advocacy on key transition issues;
- Strengthen independent media;
- Promote broad participatory democratic processes;
- Strengthen deliberative processes within the national assembly.
Illustrative Activities
- Sponsor programming/articles in independent media dealing with key transition issues, including status of reintegration, land tenure, and civil registration;
- Organize workshops, discussion groups and information campaigns to promote national dialogue on critical issues;
- Initiate a program of civic education, including rights and responsibilities of citizenship, constitutional reform, and framework for elections, as appropriate;
- Support civil society organizations to strengthen analytical and advocacy capacity;
- Promote organizational and communication linkages between Luanda and rest of country.
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