About the AOMA

Vision Statement

To be a respected and professional association for the promotion of open, accountable and democratic governance.

Mission Statement

The African Ombudsman Association (AOMA) works to support and protect the independence and development of African Ombudsman Institutions by promoting information exchanges and best practices for the advancement of good governance and human rights in Africa.

Governance

General Assembly is the highest governing body
Executive Committee is the governing and managing body of the Association
Secretariat provides the secretariat support to the Executive Committee and the Association

AOA Sub-regions, co-coordinating all activities of the Association within the six sub-regions: Northern Africa, West Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and Indian Ocean

The Executive Committee is composed as follows:

1. The President
2. The First Vice President
3. The Second Vice President
4. The Executive Secretary;
5. And one member of each of the recognized sub-regions and elected in accordance with Article 11 of the AOA's Constitution.
6. Ex officio, non voting members:
6.1 African Regional Directors to the Board of Directors of the International Ombudsman Institute.
6.2 The outgoing President, if not elected as a member of the Executive Committee, may also serve two years as Past President or a shorter term if succeeded by a more recent past President.

History

The first African country to appoint an Ombudsman was Tanzania in 1968. There are now 27 ombudsmen at a national level of government in Africa.

Since 1990, African Ombudsmen have come together for regional conferences every second year. These Conferences have been held across the African continent.

In 1995 the Khartoum Regional Conference (of African Ombudsmen) resolved to create the African Ombudsman Centre (AOC) as a regional structure for ombudsman offices. Membership was open to any of the (then) 23 African countries with a recognized ombudsman office and to any newly recognized ombudsman office. The AOC was located, and incorporated as a trust, in Tanzania in association with the University of Dar Es Salaam and managed by a Board of Trustees.

The first AOC Board of Trustees was elected in 1997 and held their first meeting in Dar Es Salaam in 1998. In 2001 in Seychelles, the Board of Trustees appointed the Ombudswoman of Namibia as the AOC Executive Secretary. The Board further resolved that the AOC assets and property were to be transferred to the Executive Secretary.

The Board's decision in Seychelles was complimented by a Regional Conference resolution tasking the Executive Secretary with the creation of an African Ombudsman Association. The AOC was to remain as a resource and archive centre.

The African Ombudsman Centre (AOC) Board of Trustees came together in Windhoek, Namibia from 13 to 15 November 2002 to bring to fruition the 2001 Seychelles Regional Conference resolution calling for the creation of an African Ombudsman Association (AOMA). At that Regional Conference, the Ombudswoman of Namibia, Adv. Bience Gawanas, was named the Executive Secretary of the Association and tasked to establish the AOMA.

Consolidated extracts from AOMA Strategic Plan 2003-2006

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

In AOMA resolved that the research centre of the Association that was previously located in Dar-es-Salaam should be established within University of KwaZulu-Natal in South African.

Role of the AOMA Research Centre

The aim of the African Ombudsman Association Research Centre is to serve as a focal point for ombudsman offices in Africa, by coordinating their activities and supporting them with the provision of information and training, and acting as a point of liaison with all participants involved in enhancing corporate governance in Africa.

The intention in the forming of the AOMA Research Centre was succinctly captured by South African State President Thabo Mbeki in his address at the General Assembly of the AOA at Muldersdrift, Johannesburg on 11 April 2005:

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"In the last few years, Africa has seen some positive developments towards democracy, the rule of law and respect for peoples and human rights. Through the African Union, and specifically the African Human Rights Commission and the Peer Review Mechanism, we continue to strive to ensure that we assist one another, as Africans, to entrench democratic ideals and practice in all our countries and create free and open societies where the energies, talents and creativity of our people can be utilised for the regeneration of our continent..........

For us further to entrench democracy, we need institutions such as the Office of the Ombudsperson to be strong, efficient, effective and independent of any control or manipulation by both the public and private sectors.

As we work for our renaissance, this institution should see itself as one of the important agents of change on our continent. Because its role is not merely to apportion blame, but rather to protect and promote the rights of citizens, it has the possibility to draw on the wealth of wisdom found in African traditional ways of conflict resolution.

In this regard, it is important that Ombudspersons should display, maintain and enhance African values, while observing the social and cultural diversities of the people they serve. At all times these institutions should strive to use languages that are understood by the people and communities in which they operate.

... the AOA has resolved that the research institute of the Association that was previously located in Dar-es-Salaam should be established within a South African University and that arrangements are being made with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in this regard.

Because the main object and purpose of this university-based institution is to serve as a resource to the AOA, do research, and conduct the training of staff and personnel of Ombud offices, it is important that all of us give this institution the necessary support.....

Further, it is common knowledge that not all African countries have an ombudsperson's institution. Accordingly, we share a common task to take all possible steps to assist those countries that are still having difficulties in establishing these important organs.

..... it is critical that we forge closer relations between the AOA and the AU structures such the Pan African Parliament (PAP), the African Human Rights Commission and the African Peer Review Mechanism. An attempt must be made to synchronise activities of the AU structures with those of the AOA."

The AOMA delivers services in four critical areas:

1 Information:

Information means the researching and dissemination of knowledge, experience and data in a readily understandable format. This encompasses:

Creating an awareness and understanding of the existence, history and processes of the Ombudsman office and how it works in the minds of citizens, legislators, administrators and the media
Provision of background information on issues and topics affecting ombudsman offices
Information on human resource issues, career and personal development, and ethics to ombudsman offices
Research of the activities, obligations and problems of Ombudsman Offices in Africa
Research of ombudsman trends and practices

2 Coordination:

Coordination means the synchronisation of the activities of the various ombudsman offices between themselves and between them and the external roleplayers. This encompasses:

Establishment of lines of communications and collaboration with international organisations such as the United Nations, European Union and World Bank and other ombudsman organisations
Liaising with institutions of governance in Africa such as the African Union( which includes the Pan African Parliament, the African Court, the African Human Rights Commission and the African Peer Review Mechanism) and NEPAD
Foster affiliation and maintain liaison with other Ombudsman Offices, international bodies and organizations interested in the progress of Ombudsman activities and Human Rights
Membership and networking forum
The facilitation of Ombudsman meetings and conferences
Acting as the secretariat of the African Regional and Sub regional Ombudsman Conferences
Developing and operating programmes that enable an exchange of information and experience between Ombudsmen throughout Africa.
Accreditation by the Association in conjunction with recognized institutions of learning through the formulation of guidelines for and the administration of the qualifications necessary for appointment to the position of ombudsman
Mobilization of funds for the achievements of the objectives of the Centre.

3 Training:

Training means the imparting of an understanding of international ombudsman practices and techniques and the necessary skills to perform in an ombudsman role. This encompasses:

Training and education (electronic, block and mixed), from paralegal level to masters level (with appropriate internationally recognized university accreditation) in ombudsman practices for ombudsmen and their staff
Continuous professional development, enhancement of skills and improvement of career prospects
Sharing of international best practice in the ombudsman field.

4 Advocacy:

Advocacy means supporting the adoption of the institution of the ombudsman and lobbying for the strengthening of its powers and for good governance in State and private institutions. This encompasses:

Promoting the concept and institution of the ombudsman and encouraging its use and development throughout Africa
Promoting the use of the Ombudsman as a provider of alternative dispute resolution
Lobbying institutions of governance in Africa such as the African Union, including the Pan African Parliament, the African Court, the African Human Rights Commission and the African Peer Review Mechanism, and NEPAD with regard to governance issues
Advocating the autonomy and independence of Ombudsmen and encouraging mutual understanding and assistance by and between Ombudsmen
Lobbying governments and organisations to ensure Ombudsman offices are adequately and appropriately structured, empowered and resourced
The promotion of respect for, and observance of Human Rights
Consultancy services in establishing ombudsman offices.

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