The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Since its independence in 1960, the Central African Republic (CAR) has struggled to overcome political instability, mutinies and rebellions. On March 24, a coalition of rebel groups, Seleka (“union” in Sango), overthrew the government of President Francois Bozizé. Following the coup, one of the rebel leaders, Michel Djotodia, appointed himself president, formed a new government and stated his intent to remain in power until presidential elections are held in 2016. Following the coup, citizens have faced pervasive looting, and a lack of water and electricity.

Author:  Chris Doten Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  04/04/2013 Resource Type:  Paper Language:  English Transparency and open data in the current discourse are often portrayed as useful as ends in themselves. However, data must be turned into understandable information to impact decision-makers and influence public opinion. Analysis of data and then effective communication of that analysis by intermediary organizations is a crucial but underdiscussed aspect in the open data ecosystem. Media Type:  .pdf

Author:  Lauren Kunis Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  04/04/2013 Resource Type:  Paper Language:  English Around the world, civil society activists are increasingly adopting an ever-widening array of communications and technology tools to push governments to become more transparent, accountable, and responsive to citizen demands. Government institutions such as national legislatures, however, have been far less likely to engage in similar efforts. This is especially true in many developing democracies in West Africa, where limited human and financial resources, weak nationwide technology infrastructure and usage, and limited awareness of the benefits of such tools have historically prevented legislators and staff from utilizing technology to improve the efficiency and transparency of parliamentary operations. Yet in order to meet citizen expectations and respond to quickly-mounting pressure for greater responsiveness, legislatures in the region – and international partners seeking to deliver information and communications technology (ICT) tools and practices in democracy support programming – will need to make concerted efforts to more ably integrate technology into governance processes in the immediate term. Media Type:  .pdf

Source:  Foreign Policy Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  03/29/2013 In Foreign Policy, James Traub argues that in Africa, where over the past decade many countries have experienced an economic boom, what distinguishes the successes from the failures is good governance.

Legislative elections are fast approaching in Guinea and political tensions are on the rise. The anticipated May 12 polls will mark the West African country’s first competitive legislative elections, and there is increasing mistrust and suspicion between ruling and opposition parties.  In the past week, politically motivated riots have broken out in the capital, Conakry, leaving many people wounded and several dead.

Author:  Election Observation Group (ELOG) Kenya Publisher:  ELOG Published Date:  03/09/2013 Resource Type:  Statement Language:  English The official election results are consistent with ELOG Kenya's paralle vote tabulation (PVT). An ELOG observer texts his report in. According to its statement on the parallel vote tabulation and observation of the voting process in Kenya, ELOG is confident that the election day process has been generally credible. It calls on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to immediately make public any information relevant and material to the results as announced. More specifically, ELOG calls on the IEBC to make public the individual results from all polling streams.

Source:  CNN Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  03/01/2013 Since the 1990s, when pro-democracy grassroots organizations in countries across Africa overthrew authoritarian regimes, much political progress has been made on the continent. However, some authoritarian leaders still remain in place, while countries like Mali that have had a history of democratic progress over the years have also shown major backsliding. More recently, the Arab Spring changed the political landscape in North Africa, but some groups worry about newly elected leaders backsliding into undemocratic practices.

The Star | Link to story  » Last Sunday night, Citizen TV's 'Kibaki Succession' segment on its 9pm 'Sunday Live' programme featured not the usual discussion by David Makali and Peter Opondo of the week's events, but instead host Julie Gichuru interviewing the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Issack Hassan.

KQED | Link to story  » French-led troops in Mali now control the ancient city of Timbuktu, which was occupied for 10 months by Islamists. France now plans to turn over long-term security operations to an African force. Have the militants been defeated or have they just retreated to the desert? Guests: Chris Fomunyoh, senior associate for Africa National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI)

Jan Nico van Overbeeke is NDI’s resident director in Niger.  He started working with NDI in March 2012, managing a two-year program to support the Nigerien parliament oversee government action in the field of the extractive industries.