African Union CHAPTER 3 3. DEMOCRACY AND GOOD POLITICAL GOVERNANCE Definition The Framework Document of the New Partnership for African Development provides that Democracy and Political Governance should, among other things seek to contribute to strengthening the political and administrative structures of African countries in line with the principles of democracy, transparency, accountability, integrity, respect for human rights and promotion of the rule of law. The 2007 AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance cites governance as requiring "undertaking regular reforms of the legal and justice systems," and "improving efficiency and effectiveness of public services and combating corruption". A similar meaning of good governance is also derived from the definition of 2002 Organization of African Unity Memorandum of Understanding from the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Co-operation in Africa, which argued that good governance comprised "accountability, transparency, the rule of law, elimination of corruption and unhindered exercise of individual rights as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People's Rights." According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, good governance is at the heart of sustainable development, the alleviation of poverty and good for economic growth. Democracy and good political governance therefore constitute an important prerequisite for successful economic, corporate and socio-economic governance, as it touches on the fundamental rights of the citizenry (both individuals and groups), the accountability of government to the governed, and the relative stability of the polity. 7