Rt. Hon. Vital Kamerhe, President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Congo and a board member of the Association Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), has urged for solidarity among African parliament to accelerate transformation across the continent.
He emphasized the need for African nations to harness their strengths and embrace collaborative parliamentary diplomacy for the continent’s development and peace.
Speaking at the second General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL) in Accra on Saturday October 26, Kamerhe invoked the memories of prominent African leaders, such as Nelson Mandela and Patrice Lumumba, who championed the ideals of freedom and unity.
Reflecting on Africa’s historical journey toward independence he encouraged African legislatures to honour the legacies of these African trailblazers by continuing to work together toward a prosperous future for the continent.
“Africa faces challenges that require unified action. It is essential to accelerate the transformation of our continent in a world that won’t wait for us. We must leverage our unique resources and partnerships to attract progress and prosperity.”
As a representative of the APF, Kamerhe highlighted the Francophonie’s role as a platform for promoting cultural, linguistic, and economic collaboration among African nations. He stressed that Francophonie’s mission extends beyond language to include shared values of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development, calling it “a rich culture and universe opening up to millions of people across the world.”
He commended recent Francophone members such as Angola and Ghana for their contributions and expressed hope that they would join the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly (APF) soon.
The President of the DR Congo National Assembly underscored the importance of these nations in fostering regional integration and economic cooperation, promoting ‘a spirit of cooperation and inclusion.
Speaker Kamerhe underscored the unique role of parliaments in mediating regional conflicts and fostering peaceful coexistence.
He advocated for parliaments to play a proactive role in crisis prevention, emphasizing that ‘diplomacy should not rest solely on executive powers and international organizations.’
Parliamentarians, he explained, can draw on their local knowledge and relationships to foster dialogue and understanding across borders.
“Parliamentarians, as representatives of the people, can effectively play a key role in preventing conflicts and facilitating reconciliation,” he asserted. He described recent efforts by the APF, including a resolution adopted at the Montreal Conference, condemning hostilities in the Great Lakes region.
Hon. Vital Kamerhe noted that this commitment would soon extend through a high-level mission led by Francophone parliamentarians to regional capitals to support peace efforts.
Calling for a coordinated African parliamentary strategy, he described the need to pool resources and strengthen the structures that support COSPAL.
He emphasized the importance of a united approach, describing parliamentary diplomacy as a vital complement to traditional diplomacy in addressing the continent’s challenges.
“Our diversity is our strength, and our shared commitment to a prosperous, peaceful, and integrated Africa must be our guide,” Speaker Kamerhe said.
He expressed hope that COSPAL’s efforts would contribute to lasting peace, stability, and economic progress across Africa and urged Speakers and legislators alike to remain committed to the continent’s democratic ideals and collaborate on initiatives that empower African nations to take control of their development.