Speaker of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Parliament Rt. Hon Vital Kamerhe said Members of Parliament on the African continent have key roles to play in conflict resolution and can add to the peace process with their knowledge as local actors.
According to him as a board member of the Association of Parliamentaire de la Francophonie they are committed to support all democratic programmes leading to normal elections if this was not the case and in all African countries, face with conflict.
Addressing the 2nd General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislators (CosPAL) in Accra Ghana, he said “we should establish dialogue for us to have unity restored. The Francophonie Assembly in the previous years has had a meeting and unique parliamentary dialogue between the parliament of Rwanda and Congo. This resulted in a resolution last year, adding that a high level mission will be sent to the various regional capitals under the leadership of the Speaker of Ivory Coast”.
In other to resolve this conflict and give support to the president of Angola, a country currently facing serious humanitarian disaster, high death toll, and massive displacement of people where other neighbors are indifferent, same with the world; “Africans must love Africans”, he admonished
Again, he said there should be a cease fire on African soil; the guns must go silent and wiliness to embrace a common objective. “We need to write our own history, and cooperate among ourselves as equals”.
“If this conflict that has lasted for too long is still ongoing and we have the effect beyond the borders of the countries that are involved, then we all have challenges”.
He noted that it is undeniable fact that the Great Region is to give support to Africa and end poverty looking at the great natural resources that abounds. And that explains why Francophone Assembly deplores a holistic approach which takes into account the social, cultural, and political aspect as well.
“As a regional win – win cooperation, we are forced to co-exist looking at our geographical location. We have to co-exist because no one can move Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. It is time to rise as Africans to show our capabilities to resolve our own problem using our own resources.
Looking at the review of the regional system, the suspension of non-elected parliament is not something of order; we need to come to a consensus with the political actors and electoral calendar to restore democracy and give priority to mediation and dialogue” he emphasised.
He called for the success of CoSPAL, stating, however that what becomes of CoSPAL is the collective duty of various Assemblies; and other institutions involved.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com
