French-speaking parliamentarians stressed, Thursday in Rabat, the need to respect the principles of democracy to ensure peace and stability in the countries of French-speaking Africa, as well as the role of French-speaking parliamentarians in the consecration of democratic values.
Chairing a meeting-debate, which is part of the 28th African Regional Assembly of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), which is being held from June 23 to 24 in Rabat under the theme “democracy: crisis, challenges and challenges for peace and stability in French-speaking Africa, the role of French-speaking parliamentarians”, the President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire”, President of the APF, Adama Bictogo indicated that French-speaking parliamentarians have a important role to play in ensuring respect for democratic principles.
In this regard, Bictogo clarified that Francophone parliamentarians have a responsibility to ensure governance and regional stability within the continent, particularly in political mediation processes, noting that 95% of political crises in Africa come from disputes. electoral.
Speaking on this occasion, the APF Africa project manager, Sansan Tilkouété stressed that the notion of democracy is closely linked to others such as elections, alternation, law, individual freedom, freedom of the press, security, equity, equality, etc., noting in this sense that democracy is of both theoretical and practical interest.
“Theoretically, the elaboration of law-like principles for the regularization of society is of undeniable importance. Practically, the demand for democratic principles and the emergence of a new society and globalization and globalization testify better to the importance of democratic principles,” he explained.
In this sense, he cited, as an example, the Ivorian experience in the establishment of democratic principles. “How could we create society or even the Ivorian nation without common values driven by democratic values and principles. Côte d’Ivoire being made up of more than 60 ethnic groups with as many cultural and customary values,” he said.
“Democracy is essential as a desirable practice and its universalization is more than desirable for a better consideration of all the aspirations of the people”, estimated Tilkouété.
He, however, underlined the need for in-depth reflection on this question, in view of the criticisms made of the principle of democracy, noting that this “question deserves to be asked insofar as most of the principles listed to define the democracy are practiced in political regimes which have not proclaimed their democracy”.
He also noted that the contents of the notion of democracy must be relativized insofar as democratic principles are not exhaustive, leaving room for other notions to be taken into account in the future.
This meeting held in the presence of the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, was marked by the presentation of experiences from several African countries such as Benin, Gabon, Cameroon, Guinea, Morocco, Senegal , the Ivory Coast and the Central African Republic.
The participants thus underlined that French-speaking parliamentarians must contribute to enshrining democratic principles in their countries and to meeting Africa’s challenges for peace and stability.
Parliamentarians are called upon to contribute to the progress of democracy through political will to define the steps towards the most ultimate democratic expression, they considered, specifying that respect for democracy requires political institutions and actors credible.
They also stressed the need to promote peace and consolidate regional stability, which remain dependent on respect for democratic principles and values.
The parliamentarians also insisted on the imperative of meeting the needs of the people through the establishment of mechanisms to guarantee democracy.
They called on the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie to be more present in all the countries in crisis and to strengthen solidarity between the APF countries.
the participants also examined the activity report of the Regional Assembly and the reorganization of positions of responsibility in the Africa region in the APF bodies as a prelude to the 47th Session in Kigali (July 2022).
The Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie was created in May 1967 in Luxembourg, as a forum for discussion, presentation of proposals and exchange of information and experience. It includes several sections spread over the five continents.
The Moroccan Parliament joined the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie in 1979 and hosted the work of some African Regional Assemblies (19th in 2011, 25th in 2017 and 27th in 2019).
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