Manji-MissionaryPositionNGOs-2002

NGOs and Development in Africa: Overview

Authors: Firoze Manji and Carl O'CoillPublication: International Affairs, July 2002URL: JSTOR Link

Context

This document discusses the significant role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the context of African development, critically examining their effectiveness and influence in light of both historical and contemporary challenges faced by the continent. The narrative surrounding NGOs raises important questions about their ability to foster genuine local empowerment versus their potential to perpetuate existing injustices.

Historical Context of Africa's Challenges

• Two Historic Events:

  • Colonialisms and Apartheid: The rise of movements seeking to dismantle colonial rule and end apartheid has shaped the socio-political landscape of Africa, leading to newfound hope for self-determination.

  • 1994 Rwanda Genocide: This tragic event exemplifies the extremes of conflict arising from ethnic tensions and global indifference, casting a long shadow over perspectives of development in the region.

• Hope vs. Despair: African development is often characterized by a dual narrative where the aspiration for human dignity and self-realization clashes with despair stemming from externally imposed socio-economic agendas that can undermine local capacities and governance.

• Development Failure: Post-colonial states have struggled to provide basic economic stability. Many countries, such as Madagascar and Mali, have seen real per capita GDP decline significantly, highlighting systemic issues. Notably, about 42% of populations in sub-Saharan Africa live on less than $1 a day, emphasizing the depth of poverty.

Rise of NGOs in Africa

• NGO Presence: Since the late 20th century, there has been exponential growth in both Western and local NGOs, with estimates suggesting over 3,000 such organizations operating within OECD countries alone. This explosion in numbers reflects a surge in both developmental and humanitarian missions.

• Role of NGOs:Initially viewed as benevolent charitable organizations, NGOs have evolved in their role within African societies, now raising vital concerns regarding their actual impact on promoting local empowerment and achieving social justice outcomes.

• Critique of Aid:While international aid is often perceived as altruistic, it can also serve underlying political and economic motives. Issues such as paternalism and the marginalization of grassroots transformative movements are highlighted, where aid could be less about sustainable development and more about maintaining power structures. Half-truths also pervade the narratives surrounding development, obscuring the complexities of aid dependency.

Evolution of NGOs

• Historical Predecessors:Today’s NGOs can trace their legacy back to European missionaries and voluntary organizations integral to colonial dynamics, continuing frameworks established during colonialism.

• Charity vs. Liberation:While NGOs provide essential poverty alleviation services, there is a growing recognition that they may inadvertently undermine local initiatives aimed at true emancipation from oppression and exploitation. Their operations can create dependency on foreign resources, reinforcing existing power imbalances.

The Colonial Framework and Modern Parallel

• Social Services During Colonial Rule: Under colonial rule, the welfare services provided to Africans were minimal, primarily designed to ensure labour for exploitation rather than addressing genuine needs. Missionaries not only supplied social services but also infused their evangelizing efforts, thereby complicating social relations in the regions they operated.

• Continued Control:In post-independence Africa, the state positioned itself as the sole developer, often disregarding popular movements advocating for political and social change, which further marginalized local voices.

NGOs as Instruments of Control

• Emergence of Development Discourse:The rhetoric surrounding post-colonial development often perpetuated old prejudices, framing Africans not as 'unwilling' participants in development, but rather as 'underdeveloped', thus shifting the narrative around autonomy and agency.

• Impact of Neo-liberal Policies:From the 1980s onwards, neo-liberal policies mandated structural adjustments that resulted in a transfer of powers from local governments to international organizations, often exacerbating poverty and social inequities. In this paradigm, NGOs have begun to fulfill roles traditionally held by the state in social service provision, which underscores a complex paradox of complicity in neo-liberal agendas.

The Challenge Ahead

• Social Justice vs. Charity:A critical choice lies ahead for NGOs: they must decide whether to align with popular movements advocating for emancipation or to continue charity-based projects that may inadvertently uphold existing power structures.

• Need for Awareness:NGOs are urged to cultivate political engagement and to act as active partners in the emancipation of marginalized communities, rather than merely providing aid.

• Future Directions:As many NGOs navigate funding challenges, especially for advocacy and activism, there is a pressing need to reconsider the dominant compliance with neo-liberal frameworks that can stifle positive social change. The path forward for NGOs will require innovative strategies to maintain relevance and effectiveness in supporting genuine development initiatives.