Development NGOs and the State of Civil Society in Africa: Four Theses on a Paradoxical relationship

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Development NGOs and the State of Civil Society
in Africa Four Theses on a Paradoxical
relationship

• Thesis 1 Civil society has emerged as a visible
  space and actor in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA), even
  if it remains fragile
• Thesis 2 The re-emergence of CS in SSA is due in
  a large part to the mediating role of NNGOs.
• Thesis 3 The mediating role of NNGOs is not
  entirely benign as it also constrains, crowds
  out, and ultimately undermines the emergence of
  an African Civil Society.
• Thesis 4 The Future of CS in SSA is dependent on
  a restructuring of NNGO-CS relations within the
  context of Aid.