The U.N. new initiative for Africa must make space for mainstreaming gender. The experience of the structural adjustment for Africa's economic recovery has had serious adverse effects on women, children and other vulnerable groups. The economic insecurity among people within the continent has further exacerbated the growing political instability among nations. These and other related issues should be considered in the mid-term review. The greatest challenge is the extent to which the civil society government leaders and most importantly the beneficiaries at the grassroots level will participate in deciding on the various programme activities envisaged within this initiative, their level of participation in the implementation, monitoring of and assessing the impact and effects that the programme will have on them and those after them.
Pluralistic elections are an important element of a formal democratization process.
Between 1991 and 1996, such elections were organized in more than forty African countries. For example, after a seven-year transition process, the last elections in Nigeria were annulled in 1993 even before the results were released. Despite these imperfections, pluralistic elections enable citizens to choose between individuals and parties who claim to be different, and make it possible to settle differences peacefully. This universal democratic tool is also valid for Africa. The second phenomenon which characterizes the period under review is the emergence, redefinition, restructuring and massive mobilization of civil society.