In a landmark address delivered at the Accra Declaration on Regulating Financing of Politics in Africa, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former UN Regional Representative for West Africa and current African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, has issued a stark warning to African leaders: political finance reform must be prioritised to dismantle the corrupting influence of money in governance. Speaking at the High-Level Convening hosted in Ghana, Dr. Chambas underscored that the Accra Declaration, while a significant step forward, will only be meaningful if it translates into binding legal frameworks that curb the tyranny of money in elections and political campaigns.
A Declaration Without Enforcement Is Meaningless
The Accra Declaration, adopted by delegates from across the continent, represents a historic commitment to enhancing democratic integrity in Africa. However, Dr. Chambas stressed that adopting declarations is not enough—what matters is implementation.
“The adoption of the Accra Declaration will be meaningless unless it is linked to the liberation of African politics from the tyranny of money,” he declared. His remarks echoed a long-standing challenge: Africa remains the region with the lowest proportion of countries with strong political finance regulations, according to global transparency indices.
The Declaration seeks to improve transparency, accountability, and integrity in political financing—a critical but often neglected aspect of democratic governance. Without strict regulations, campaign funding remains opaque, leaving room for corruption, undue influence, and electoral manipulation.
The Urgent Need for Transparent Political Finance
Dr. Chambas, drawing from decades of experience in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, warned that weak political governance fuels instability. Many African nations struggle with post-election violence, electoral fraud, and elite capture of state resources, all of which can be traced back to unregulated campaign financing.
“Nothing tests statesmanship more severely than legislating transparency into the very system that brought you to power,” he remarked. His words carry weight, given his role in mediating conflicts across the continent, including in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and the Central African Republic.
Yet, despite the Dakar Roundtable and UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Resolution 11/7, which have previously called for political finance reforms, progress has been slow. The Accra Declaration now provides a new framework—but its success hinges on enforcement.
A Call for Accountability: What Will Distinguish Accra?
Dr. Chambas’ address was not just a celebration of the Declaration but a cautionary note on its potential failure. He reminded delegates that Africa’s history is littered with unfulfilled commitments.
“On our continent, adopting declarations is the easy part. Africa’s archives are heavy with eloquent commitments,” he said. “What will distinguish Accra is not what we proclaimed at midday on the sixteenth of July, but what we can prove by the eleventh of July next year, when the first continental scorecard falls due.”
This 12-month deadline is a bold challenge—one that requires coordinated action from African institutions, civil society, and development partners. The Declaration calls for:
– Stronger legal frameworks to regulate campaign financing.
– Independent oversight bodies to monitor compliance.
– Public disclosure of political donations to prevent secrecy.
– Civic education to empower voters on financial transparency.
A Multistakeholder Effort: Who Is Driving Change?
The High-Level Convening was a collaborative effort involving researchers, electoral bodies, Members of Parliament (MPs), government officials, and civil society organisations. Key partners included:
– African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC)
– Community of Practice on Political Finance in Africa
– CDD-Ghana (Centre for Democratic Development)
– Open Society Foundations
– Transparency International
Over three days of intensive dialogue, delegates shared evidence-based insights, discussed best practices, and committed to collective action. The outcome was not just a declaration but a roadmap for political finance reform.
Strengthening the Community of Practice: A Continental Platform for Change
To ensure long-term sustainability, delegates agreed to strengthen the Community of Practice on Political Finance in Africa. This platform will serve as:
– A dialogue space for African nations to exchange experiences.
– A peer-learning mechanism to share successful reforms.
– A civic education hub to raise public awareness.
– An advocacy network to push for policy changes.
“The success of the Accra Declaration will depend on our ability to turn commitments into action,” Dr. Chambas concluded. His words underscore a critical truth: Without enforcement, even the most well-intentioned declarations risk becoming mere symbols.
The Path Forward: Can Africa Break Free from the Money Trap?
The Accra Declaration is a bold step, but its real test will be in implementation. If African leaders fail to legislate transparency, enforce accountability, and empower citizens, the tyranny of money will continue to distort elections, erode trust, and deepen instability.
Dr. Chambas’ challenge is clear: Africa must prove that it can govern itself without being held hostage by financial interests. The next year will be critical—will the continent rise to the occasion?