The genesis of the Economic Participation Agreements (EPA) can be traced back to the historic economic and trade relation between European countries and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. This relationship has developed over years with the signature of the two Yaounde Conventions in 1963 and 1969, four Lome Conventions and since the year 2000, the Cotonou agreement which will expire in 2020. The Lome and its successor Cotonou provided one-way, non-reciprocal, preferential access to EU markets for most ACP exports as well as aid to finance development projects in ACP countries.
ACP countries benefited from duty-free access on the EU market for most products. Some agricultural products such as sugar, rum and bananas were covered by specific commodity protocols. To comply with international trade rules, the ACP and the EU agreed to conclude WTO compatible trading arrangements, removing progressively barriers to trade and enhancing cooperation in all areas relevant to trade through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs).
The EPA also seeks to promote regional integration, economic cooperation and good economic governance. It encourages an improvement in the supply capacity and competitiveness. It also seeks to strengthen the capacity with regards to trade policy and the rules relating to trade.
For the purpose of EPAs, Africa was divided into five regions; Central Africa, East African Community (EAC), ECOWAS, Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and Southern African Development Community (SADC). Zimbabwe negotiated EPAs under the ESA-EU EPA regional configuration.
Six states in the ESA region (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe) concluded an interim EPA with the EU at the end of 2007. Zambia and Comoros initialed. The agreement was signed by four countries (Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe) in August 2009 in Mauritius. Implementation started in May 2012 after ratification by the respective Parliaments of the four countries. The ESA countries were not able to provide a common regional market access offer and each country presented an individual offer based on its specificities.
Overview on the key experiences in the EPAs Implementation process
It requires strengthening of capacities. The level of preparedness is very low and Zimbabwe is lagging behind. Between 2011-2014 Zimbabwe lost about 4000 companies. From 2007 to 2017 more or high import than exports and Zimbabwe is having a negative balance. If it is duty free, why are our exports not increasing. We are not benefiting from the process if our house is not in order. The major question was therefore on our signature as we are not in the Top 10 imports and Top 10 exporters.
Experiences in the implementation
Lacks diversity in manufactures and exports due to poor competitiveness and high cost of exporting and arising from supply side constraints, the Zimbabwe economy continues to operate under pressure experiencing industrial capacity constraints and de-industrialization, high unemployment and growing informalization. Zimbabwe’s overall trade profile indicates that exports are declining and diversification is not taking place, with trends towards resource-based exports and retreat from technology.
It is critical to have CSOs monitoring the implementation of the EPA and experiences of other regions can also be used to craft robust monitoring mechanisms. At national level, SEATINI, ZIMCODD and NANGO are conduits that can be used to help monitor the EPAs whilst at the regional level the SAPSN, SADC CNGO and SATUCC are existing institutions that can be used. A communication and information dissemination tool should be created to reach out to a wider audience. This can include development and use of smart technology that include but not limited to use of smart phones and online information platforms.
Monitoring the implementation can be done through robust mechanisms that make it easier to follow up.
Indicators for each and every goal should be developed and outcomes are measured against such indicators.
The role of CSOs in the IEPA Implementation Process
Sustainable development and the role of the civil society is an integral component of trade agreements to attain multilateral economic and environmental standards. CSOs have a big role to play in the monitoring and implementation of the EPAs and making sure that the parties to the agreement are held responsible.
Playing a watchdog role and ensuring that there are checks and balance
Monitoring and measuring the results of EPA
Identifying challenges and push for solutions.
Informal economy
It includes about 90% SMEs, but as big as it is, it is sidelined.
Many people are in the informal economy not by choice but due to lack of opportunities in the economy, the bulk of the population is the working poor.
The informal becoming formal, lack of innovativeness in terms of donor dependency syndrome, EU determines what is on the agenda, lack of capacity (institutional) for information dissemination and documentation as the program is meant to benefit all the Zimbabweans. Lack of research and technological capacity are also some of the challenges discussed.
The second group discussed about the platform or institutional arrangement that is required to ensure high level and effective participation of CSOs in monitoring the EPAs implementation. The strategies they came up with were; awareness as there is a need for a sensitization exercise, capacity building in terms of the media and invest in quality research. There is need for accountability meetings, monitoring with a steering committee, clear stipulation for duties and roles, there is a need for a localized version of MOUs and TORs.
Budget analysis and advocacy are critical tools for ensuring progressive realization of human rights, advocating alternative policy choices and prioritization, and ultimately for strengthening the accountability of duty-bearers in the fulfilment of their obligations. In view of this, parliament, with technical and financial assistance from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and NANGO organised a capacity building workshop for committee secretariat and the Parliament Budget Office (PBO) whose objective is to equip participants with budget analysis and advocacy techniques which they can use to support their respective portfolio and thematic committees. The workshop was held pursuant to output 1.1 on Increased Budget Transparency and Openness for Zimbabwe of the adopted cooperation framework between parliament and UNICEF. The two-day workshop was held on 15 and 16 August 2018 in Kwekwe. 31 participants comprising of 14 committee clerks, five researchers, five PBO staff, two parliament management representatives (assistant clerk and principal director finance), two NANGO representatives, one director from Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and 1 protocol officer attended the workshop.
The primary objective of budget analysis was to ascertain progress, challenges and opportunities for improving the quality and quantity of public spending. It generates the evidence required to engage effectively with policy and budget makers and is also a tool for various advocacy strategies. In view of this, the capacity building workshop on Budget Analysis and Advocacy was convened with the following objectives in mind: to equip participants with skills for budget tracking and analysis; to foster an understanding of the budgeting process in Zimbabwe, main actors and policy making process in relation to the budget; to outline the existing legal/policy framework guiding budget process; to foster understanding of the common approaches in budget tracking and advocacy techniques; and to develop Action Plan on budget tracking and advocacy so as to entrench and sustain accountability work.
Key points
Development Watch Issue: The 2022 Mid-Year Budget Review Statetement
Development Watch Volume 4, Issue 5
Development Watch Volume 4, Issue 4
Women’s organisations have concurred over the need to promote constitutional literacy of women in Zimbabwe, lobby for more seats for women in parliament and in public offices as well as set up gender observatory. The women also highlighted the need for intergenerational continuity in order to strengthen women’s movement.
The above sentiments were shared where women’s rights movement organizations convened to take stock, discuss and share election observation findings in the political, economic, social and environmental context following the 30 July harmonised elections.
At the meeting there was a general consensus that there is still no parity within political parties, society as a whole is still patriarchal and the media is still biased towards men.
Speaking with regards to the political context, it was highlighted that challenges such as polarization and violence against women are some of the drawbacks noted. In the economic context issues such as lack of resources, economic uncertainty and lack of funding were drawbacks to women emancipation. On social context, it was highlighted that women face difficulties in accessing justice and information. The current environment, according to women, is polarized and unpredictable. On the legal context, equality on political representation is still low, the electoral act is silent on political parties and gender parity, Political Parties Finance Act is silent on funding aspiring female candidates, vote buying and intimidation, cyber harassment and constitutional literacy.
The women’s organisations explored co-creating a feminist-driven platform for post-election advocacy agenda to strengthen women’s participation and positioning. The point of departure was a strong independent and autonomous women movement that will maintain women’s voice.
The host, Women’s Coalition had invited Women in Politics Support Unit, Her Zimbabwe, Women’s Action Group, Taga life, National Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (NANGO) and UN Women, to name a few, convened under the theme “The post-2018 Zimbabwe harmonised elections agenda for women rights and gender equality: Stocktaking, opportunities and accountability”.
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) joins the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and workers, the world over, in commemorating the International Workers’ Day! It is worrying that this year Workers’ Day is being commemorated in the midst of a deep socio-economic crisis in Zimbabwe, worsened by neo-liberal policies being implemented under the “Austerity for Prosperity” mantra. This has caused untold suffering to the workers in Zimbabwe due to continually rising cost of living further eroding wages and salaries. Already, first days of implementation of the Austerity for Prosperity has seen massive macroeconomic recession manifesting through many tax heads being introduced targeting the citizens and the worker, skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, macroeconomic distortions and foreign exchange shortages. Historical evidence, locally, regionally and internationally proves that austerity measures are not a solution to the material conditions of the working class instead they entrenches poverty, income and other forms of inequality.
The market economy promotes labour market flexibility weakening trade unions along the way, as well as promoting the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few for example it is estimated that in 2018, the richest Zimbabwean’s wealth was worth USD1,4billion1 while the poorest was worth USD2002.
Divine Foundation Trust (DFT) is dismayed at how young girls in Chiredzi and Mwenezi District face financial challenges that result in them not affording basic sanitary towels. This often leaves them with no choice but to use old rags among other unhygienic alternatives.
The Zimbabwean government has signed the Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), a positive step towards making sure the country operates within the dictates of regional instruments. Civil society in Zimbabwe, for the past years has been engaging the government to sign and domesticate several regional and international treaties and conventions, but the move faced vast resistance as it was considered a regime change agenda.
Girl Child Empowerment of Zimbabwe (GCE Zim) works towards giving equal educational opportunities to girls through a campaign titled ‘My pad, my period, my pride’. The campaign is run through National University of Science and Technology and Great Zimbabwe University clubs.
The GCE Zim supports girls by donating stationery and re-usable sanitary pads in marginalised parts of Masvingo and Matabeleland. This assists in guaranteeing that girls do not miss lessons during their menstrual cycles.
The girls that received stationery and sanitary pads said provision of these improves their attendance and chances of excelling academically.
During the campaign at Mzinyathini High School, pupils pointed out that most of their parents are unemployed and cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. They then resort to using old clothes which leave them prone to infections. Some said they miss school for a week every month.
Siphiwe Nkawule, said, “There are schoolmates that struggle to get sanitary towels. It is very embarrassing when one does not have them.”
GCE Zim is ensures that rural commercial farmers, women in mining, marginalised and vulnerable girls and women have access to health care, fundamental human rights, safe and clean water, sanitation, shelter and food.
President Emmerson Mngangagwa has responded to concerns that were raised by over 140 Matabeleland civil society leaders who met him at the Bulawayo State House last month. The meeting engaged the presidency and government on socio-economic and developmental issues pertinent to the Matabeleland region. The civil society delegation that was led by Jennifer Williams the Director of Women of Zimbabwe Arise have received a response in a letter signed by Mrs V Mabiza the secretary for Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Zimbabwe has twin problems which are trade imbalances (trade deficits) and fiscal imbalances (budget deficits). Shortage of FOREX and cash are not the problem but simply symptoms of the underlying and unsustainable deficits and imbalances over decades. The fact that by our own admission we have broken our own laws through borrowing way beyond legally approved limits should be a wakeup call to us as a country in general and specifically to the Monetary and Fiscal Authorities. The insistence on an exchange rate of 1:1 and hence resistance to allow a market determined exchange rate between the RTGS rate and the USD has precipitated an effervescence in the economy which if not attended to will seriously dislocate the pillars on which our economy rests.
Click the link below to read the entire call for action.
CALL FOR ACTION – CEO AFRICA ROUNDTABLE….pdf
NANGO members have agreed on the need to observe elections and monitor the pre and post-election environment. This comes after the realisation that member organisations with diverse interests can find common ground.
24 organisations that attended the membership planning meeting on Wednesday 21 March 2018 concurred that NANGO should be involved in electoral processes that have been initiated by Zimbabwe Election Commission.
There is a need for NANGO to get the true reflection of election readiness from organisations that are already observing the political arena.
The meeting also emphasised that civil society needs play a parliamentary oversight role ensuring that election reforms are discussed taking into consideration the concerns of the electorate.
NANGO director, Leonard Mandishara, said NANGO is aligning itself with key players in order to observe pre and post-elections.
“NANGO is reaching out to key players with regards to elections. This will see to the harmonisation of partners dealing with elections,” he said.
Mandishara added that coordination will make it possible for civil society to come up with a barometer that covers all election related issues including mapping of conflict hot spots especially were election violence is most likely to occur.
NANGO members that were present also agreed on the importance of continuous interaction and rejuvenation of NANGO with a particular focus on the imminent elections.