"ACCA Statement ‐ 2018 ACCA General Assembly"

The African Coalition  for Corporate Accountability  (ACCA) is pleased  to have hosted its 4th General Assembly (GA) under the theme Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in Nairobi, Kenya from the 10th to 11th October 2018…ACCA is  the  largest  coalition  of  civil  society  organisations  (CSOs)  working on  issues  related  to  business  and  human  rights  and  corporate  accountability  across  the  African  continent.  The ACCA considers the convening of its GA as an important element in strengthening relatinships between its member organisations and partner organisations…

The  ACCA  views  the  advancement  of  FPIC  across  the  African  continent  as  a  vital  element in strengthening community rights and community participation in development projects, which directlyimpact communities’ daily lives and livelihoods. The lack of implementation of FPIC at the community level leads to the absence of community participation in development projects. This in turn, results in failure to take into account traditional values and communities’ rights, notwithstanding the rights of protection of communities’ cultural heritage….

The ACCA  commends  the efforts  and  victories  of  communities  to enforce  their  rights through judicial systems.   However, the ACCA notes with concern the high rate of non compliance with judicial rulings in favour of communities’ rights across the African continent. The ACCA calls on governments and businesses operating in Africa to respect and implement the rulings of the courts in favour of communities’ rights. The ACCA calls on CSOs and other relevant actors to support communities in enforcing judicial decisions.