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Mozambican Civil Society Within: Evaluation, Challenges, Opportunities and Action
To some extent this perception contradicts the reply of the CSOs studied when they were
asked how they evaluate the current role of civil society in promoting democracy in Mozambican
society. About 39% answered that it has a significant role, 27% a moderate role, 25% limited
and 10% an insignificant role.
As it was impossible to study this subject in more detail in the stakeholder survey, doubts
remain about the participation issue. Specific studies have shown that satisfaction or otherwise
with the level of participation, and actions for democracy, are blurred. It depends very much on
assumptions, individual expectations and points of reference. (Francisco & Matter, 2007; Oya,
2005; Afrobarometer, 2003, 2005).
3.3.2 Transparency
This sub-dimension examines to what extent Mozambican civil society actors practice and
promote transparency and it obtained a score of 0.7. Table 3.3.2 summarizes the score for
each indicator.
TABLE 3.3.2: Indicators for Evaluating Transparency
Ref. # Indicators Score
3.2.1 Corruption within civil society 1.0
3.2.2 Financial transparency of CSOs 0.5
3.2.3 CS actions to promote transparency 0.5
3.3.2.1 Corruption within Civil Society
It is not easy to evaluate the degree of transparency in civil society in general, as a wide variety
of organizations are covered by the definition of civil society used here.
However, most of the CSOs surveyed feel that corruption is very frequent within civil society
organizations (33%), or frequent (27%), while 27% thought it was occasional and 13% very
rare. 20
Various participants in the NAG emphasized the feeling that corruption has become a culture.
Indeed, one of the dominant themes in the written press, especially the independent press, has
been to denounce what an editorial in the Semanário Magazine called “the culture of stealing
everything!” (29.08.2007, p.7).
20
It should be recognized that the perception of widespread corruption is in fact more a public opinion perception than specifically based on concrete facts and evidence. Moreover,
the issue of whether the citizen sees corruption within civil society in the same way as he/she sees it in the public sector, was not studied in depth. Probably not, as the issue of corruption
in the public sector usually involves management of “the public thing” that requires special treatment. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that the indicator on corruption in this
CSI study needs clarity and precision.
Civil Society Index, Mozambique 2007
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