FY03 Q1 Quarterly Report: Programme Gouvernance et Paix (PGP)

The new administration, led by President Macky Sall, demonstrated a commitment to good governance and national reconciliation. The government's stated agenda aligns with PGP's overall goal to support democracy, good governance, and national reconciliation. The new administration's initiatives include restructuring the institutional architecture for transparency and accountability, creating a Ministry for the Promotion of Good Governance, reformulating fiscal decentralization policy to empower local governments, and entering into peace negotiations with the Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de la Casamance (MFDC). The government also appointed a new Minister for the Promotion of Good Governance and reinstated the Cour de Répression de l'Enrichissement Illicite (CREA). Under Component 1: Greater Transparency and Accountability, the Government of Senegal made notable advancements. The new Minister for the Promotion of Good Governance was appointed, and the Ministry he leads began to take shape. The President declassified a number of State Inspector General Reports, and Parliament adopted three high-profile laws advancing anti-corruption reforms. The Ministry of Mines began Senegal's Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) adhesion process, which will lead to full membership for Senegal in the EITI. During this quarter, under Component 2: Strengthened Fiscal Decentralization and Local Governance, the Parliament adopted a new Tax Code that incorporates local government perspectives elaborated by the Union of Associations of Local Elected Officials (UAEL) with PGP support. PGP will continue to support UAEL to identify and analyze the impacts of the new Code at the local level and to design and propose workable mechanisms that ensure the effective implementation of the Code. Under Component 4: Dialogue for Social Stability in Casamance, several major events brought the Government of Senegal and the MFDC closer to starting negotiations. The Government of Senegal also appointed a new director for the Agence Nationale pour la Relance des Activités en Casamance (ANRAC). PGP organized a meeting of the Donors Sub-Committee on Casamance, where the World Bank and UNDP presented new peace building projects in Casamance, and the U.S. Embassy's new Special Advisor for Casamance introduced himself and his mission. PGP also continued its local governance work with its 12 partner Collectivités Locales (CLs), providing support to the local budgeting process and planning sessions for Year 3 activities. Additionally, PGP met with USAID/Senegal to finalize the Year 3 workplan, which was officially approved in December 2012. Advancing the National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP) was a key achievement during this quarter. PGP supported the ANE Platform to establish the Anti-Corruption Observatory, which held a social mobilization event in Yeumbeul to educate citizens on the costs of corruption and engage them in the Anti-Corruption Observatory. The event had 350 participants, 87% of whom were women. The Coalition of Anti-Corruption Journalists and Ministry of Mines staff members were also trained on the EITI process, pledging their support for Senegal's EITI adhesion process and promising to be engaged through advocacy and quality, timely reporting of progress in the media.