…Commends,Peaceful Elections in Senegal
ECOWAS Parliament has condemned in its strongest terms, acts of violence in Sierra Leone which led to loss of lives and destruction of properties.
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis made this known on Wednesday at the delocalized meeting of joint committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), Legal Affairs and Human Rights/Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment in Banjul, the capital of Gambia.
Speaking at the five-day meeting with the theme “Community Texts relating to Peace, Security, Democracy and Good Governance: Challenges in their Implementation and the Oversight Role of ECOWAS Parliament”
Represented by the Fourth Deputy Speaker, Adja Satu Camara Pinto, Dr.Tunis call on all sides to adhere to the rule of law, which was the best path to channel and address grievances of every kind.
He said, many democracies are having difficulties globally, in this present day, these failures are often attributed to the lack of trust and accountability. We are seeing regime change and reforms in many parts of the world.
In Africa the fragility of democracies is caused by electoral abuse, ethnic divisions, mismanagement of natural resources, poverty, and economic insecurity.
“There is a need for political will and action to counter these problems, and these are better achieved through our institutions.
It is said that integration is about people. Indeed, it is high time our region derives the benefits”, he stated.
The Speaker further commended the people of Senegal for successfully conducting a peaceful parliamentary election on 31st July and congratulate all winners at the polls adding that the parliament looks forward to working with the Membership of the new Parliament for the good of the sub region.
In his speech, Gambian Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Mamadou Tangara called on member state to collectively act swiftly to address the issues of insecurity and promote in the sub region
According to him, ‘as nations sharing the same destiny, we have a moral obligation and a collective responsibility to act swiftly to address all issues hampering the institutional advancement, the consolidation of peace, security and the empowerment of women who are the driving forces of the Region”.
He added that, “Today, it is immensely gratifying to observe the overwhelming response of all partners and people of goodwill here present to affirm a faith in a common purpose, a common conviction and a common devotion in the consolidation of Peace, Security and Good Governance and other community achievements.”
In his opening remarks, Speaker of the National Assembly of the The Gambia, Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta said that, there is need for proactive intervention to curb insecurity on the sub region noting that peace and security is the bed rock on which all development strives.
