HCD regards democracy as a process and an outcome encompassing the overall democratic structures, as articulated in the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, including civic participation, good governance, human rights, the rule of law, accountability, and peace and security. Considering the holistic approach to the broader governance and democratisation challenges in the Horn, HCD plans to put in place the following programmatic areas that will be realized on a phase-by-phase basis: Democracy and democratic Governance; Inclusive Citizen participation; Human rights and the rule of law, peace and security; and civil society and media.
HCD designed its first project with a focus on undertaking baseline studies and analyses to better understand the multiple regional factors affecting democratic development in the Horn of Africa. These initial studies served as a foundational learning process, generating evidence and insights that have since informed HCD’s organizational strategy and the design of its multi-year program interventions in the region. These studies are: –
A contextual analysis on the political, democratic, human rights and good governance situation in the HoA region. The contextual analysis will, among other things, identify emerging trends, opportunities, and threats to democracy and human rights in the region. Findings from the analysis will be used as input for the organisational strategic plan and intervention priorities.
A conflict sensitivity analysis of the region. Given the complex political, cultural, and ethnic realities of the region and the resultant formations of multiple fault lines, a good understanding of the conflict trends and triggering factors is key for the success of any intervention in the region.
A mapping study of relevant regional organisations, think tanks, academic institutions, pro-democracy CSOs, networks and other civic formations in the Horn Region. The study will identify actors and possible areas of cooperation culminating in a stakeholder engagement strategy.
A gender analysis of the HoA region. Any subsequent intervention of the Center and its strategic plan and priorities shall be gender-sensitive, and this analysis will provide the necessary guide.
For HCD’s undertaking, the Horn of Africa/HoA region consists of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda, as members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) - the leading regional organisation in the Horn.
