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protest (www.c-r.orglour-work/accord/public-participation/mogotes-constituent-assembly.
plm, (2008)].
This study considers the extreme levels of violence displayed in Mogotes of Columbia as
relatively different from the socio-political landscape in the study area However, the
increased reporting requirements, which new Municipal Constituent Assembly of Mogotes
(AMe) adopted to strengthen its managerial accountability deserve consideration in this
developmental study of Ulundi. Traditionally known to be dominated by one political party,
Ulundi would draw workable lessons from Mogotes' model of change to the culture of local
politics and political tolerance especially in accepting other political representation in the
study area without violence.
3.6.2.1 Developing the mnnicipal constitnent assembly
The citizens began to organize themselves to reflect on the new situation. Earlier in 1997, as
a result of a 'pastoral plan' developed by the diocese, new ecclesiastical groups had been
created. The new Municipal Constituent Assembly of Mogotes (AMe) was inaugurated on 6
April 1998. The AMC was mandated to monitor the implementation of the municipal
development plan and to supervise the functions of municipal management. Decisions in the
AMC were made by consensus, although when this was not possible a system of majority
voting was used. The AMC was guided by an 'operational comminee' comprising 13 delegate
representatives of different social groupings including the Church, the business sector.
teachers, health service personnel and representatives of the rural areas. Its role was to
oversee and evaluate the work of the AMC and to ensure the functioning of the local
assemblies (Serna, 2002). The AMC leaders had also sought to strengthen their position by
enlisting support at regional, national and international levels. They promoted their process
extensively in the surrounding region, encouraging support and solidarity from provincial and
departmental level 'peace working groups' in the area (Serna, 2002).
3.6.2.2 Successes ofthe new administration
One of the first successes of the new Municipal Constituent Assembly was to secure the
release ofthe kidnapped mayor from the ELN. The AMC then developed a new political and
ethical code ofconduct for future mayors and asked the national government to organize fresh
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