The chairperson of FOCCISA, Reverend Canaan Phiri, has lashed out at IMF and World Bank policies for spreading market fundamentalism in southern Africa. In his opening remarks at the fifth Annual Civil Society Forum in Kinshasa, DRC, Phiri said: “There are some fundamental lessons which we must learn from the international financial crisis, and the important lesson is that the collapse of laissez-faire approach to development reflects the growing problems of market fundamentalism."

“The consequences are very obvious, especially in the SADC region. One of the biggest factors in the social impact of the current crisis is the increased levels of unemployment and massive job shedding in key industries, which has left many individuals and families vulnerable.

“The social impact of the crisis has been felt in a number of key areas, namely social security and income inequality, unemployment, gender, the informal sector, food security and social unrest. It is our hope that SADC leaders will discuss how to deal with the crisis in a way that ensures a better life for all”, he said.

He told participants that governments have a duty to enhance human dignity and protect human rights. It was therefore important for civil society to play a part in campaigning for the safeguarding of human rights and ensuring that the minimum conditions of human dignity are met for all. Civil society has to make the SADC governments accountable, responsive, inclusive and effective.

Phiri said the collapse of the neoliberal dogma is a major blow to the international financial institutions. He urged governments to take advice from these institutions with a pinch of salt because “we all are too aware of the havoc caused by structural adjustment programmes in our countries implemented under the guidance of IMF”.

The Civil Society Forum took place between 3 – 5 September and brought together over 70 participants from non-governmental organizations in southern Africa.

Click to read the full text of the Forum Communique.