PAP plans dialogue to prevent conflict
The Pan African Parliament has resolved to establish and encourage dialogue amongst national political parties in order to prevent conflict in African countries.
In a set of resolutions approved at the end of the First Ordinary Session of the Fourth Parliament, members were concerned by the “deteriorating peace and security situation in Africa, which has resulted in increased threats to human security, loss of lives and deplorable and inhuman conditions particularly of women and children.”
The Pan African Parliament presided over by its President, Hon. Roger Dang Nkodo, has been meeting for its First Ordinary Session in Midrand, South Africa, from Oct. 5 – 17, 2015.
Uganda’s representatives to PAP are Hon. Onyango Kakoba (NRM, Buikwe North), Hon. Jacquline Amongin (NRM, Ngora district), Hon. Beatrice Barumba (NRM, Kiruhura district), Hon. Sam Otada (Ind., Kibanda) and Hon. Elijah Okupa (FDC, Kasilo).
President Nkodo said, “Our deliberations have proven that African legislators have the desire to carry the voice of the people higher.”
He challenged African governments to honor their international commitments including fulfilling their financial pledges to the African Union.
The Pan African Parliament intends to work with the Africa Council of Political Parties, the African Union Peace and Security Council and the AU Economic, Social and Cultural Council to encourage national dialogue and community dialogues among civil society organizations on the continent.
The institution plans to organize periodical national African-to-African conferences involving participants from African political parties, civil society, traditional and religious leaders.
In addition, PAP will organize and disseminate education and media programmes that foster the culture of peace, tolerance and denunciation, drawing inspiration from the South African experience.
PAP recommended making use of African heritage in conflict resolution provided by native administrative, tribal and religious leaders; and the establishment of arbitration centres for conflict resolution in African countries by consolidating the role of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights in resolving conflicts and disputes.
PAP has also resolved that the AU, its organs and regional economic communities strengthen mechanisms to promote peace and security in order to facilitate integration of the continent learning from the experience of the United Nations.
Further, PAP resolved that Africa reinforces its continental early warning mechanisms to effectively anticipate and prevent conflicts and to timely predict and trigger safeguards against natural disasters, tribal conflicts and wars.
In the resolutions, member countries were also asked to refrain from interfering in the internal conflicts of other states on exercise of direct interest or foreign power.
Source: parliament news
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