What does the "right to development" entail according to the African Charter?

The "right to development" as articulated in the African Charter emphasizes the importance of collective and free participation by individuals and communities in decisions that affect their development. This principle underscores that development is not merely an economic or technical process but rather a holistic approach that includes social, cultural, political, and environmental dimensions.

Participatory rights allow individuals and groups to engage meaningfully in shaping development policies and programs that impact their lives. This engagement is essential for ensuring that development initiatives are equitable, just, and responsive to the needs of the people they are designed to benefit. By promoting collective participation, the right to development fosters empowerment and enables communities to exercise agency in their own progress.

The other options suggest limitations on participation or control that do not align with the principles of the right to development. For instance, exclusive control by governments over resources would restrict broader participation and potentially undermine the democratic process. Similarly, limiting participation to local leadership excludes the voices of marginalized groups, and suggesting that development should be led solely by international organizations undermines local agency and the right of communities to define their own development trajectories.