SADC parliamentarians discuss integration and cooperation in the region

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SADC parliamentarians discuss integration and cooperation in the region
SADC parliamentarians discuss integration and cooperation in the region

Africa-Press – Angola. Angola participates, today, in the opening ceremony of the 52nd Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (FP SADC), in Kinshasa, with the aim of providing a platform to support and improve regional integration, with the promotion of positive practices at the level of role of parliaments in integration and cooperation.

The President of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, informed the press that the Forum will address the importance of inter-parliamentary relations and cooperation, parliamentary diplomacy, the identity of the countries in the region and, particularly, the adoption of internal mechanisms of the legal systems of each country, in order to preserve peace and find ways of concertation to advance with regard to the mitigation of conflicts, stability, above all, prosperity.

“When we talk about security, we are not just talking about security from the point of view of cessation of hostilities or the resolution of conflicts. We are also talking about food security, hunger, poverty, vulnerability to human integrity and the development of countries”, he said, adding that when security is mentioned, it also refers to national reconciliation, peace, social cohesion and harmony.

He stressed that in the legal systems of the countries, the initiative for national reconciliation, amnesties to grant pardons that do not violate human dignity, are of great importance.

As an example, Carolina Cerqueira pointed out that the Angolan Parliament is discussing the Proposal for an Amnesty Law, to mitigate some crimes that can be forgiven.

Carolina Cerqueira made it known that issues such as peace, security and stability in the countries of the region are on the table for discussion, with special attention to the situation in northern Mozambique and in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, whose conflict has endangered peace in the region, bringing a large movement of displaced persons and refugees to whom particular emphasis must be given.

On the other hand, the President of the National Assembly hopes that, with this objective in mind, the Angolan delegation can pass on its experience in the process of national reconciliation and, particularly, the role that must be played against international terrorism, against the economic crimes that are also a way of combating instability, as well as the importance of Southern Africa continuing to be a region of peace, stability, in which rebellions, attacks against the State are discouraged, and, above all, there is a climate of prosperity, reconciliation, peace and union among all.

The 52nd Plenary Assembly of SADC takes place under the motto “The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Legislative Frameworks for Peace and Security in the SADC Region”, and works to promote cooperation and inter-parliamentary diplomacy across the Southern Africa: Several countries from Southern Africa, members of the SADC PF who started to arrive since Thursday (December 1), have gathered at the Forum for the preparations of the formal session that will take place this morning at the People’s Palace, seat of the Parliament Congolese, in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Other parliamentarians, who were unable to reach the host country, are participating online.

Regional inter-parliamentary body composed of MPs from national parliaments of SADC Member States, representing more than 3,500 MPs from Southern Africa.

Created by the SADC Summit on 8 September 1997, the Forum comprises the Chairperson of the Session and a maximum of five representatives elected by the National Parliament of each Member State.

The specific objectives of the Parliamentary Forum address a wide range of issues, including, among others, the promotion of human rights, gender equality, good governance, democracy and transparency, peace, security and stability, accelerating the pace of economic cooperation , development and integration based on equity and mutual benefits.

Also included are the promotion and facilitation of networking with other inter-parliamentary organizations, the participation of non-governmental organizations, businesses and intellectual communities in SADC activities, familiarization of the citizens of the regional organization with the goals and objectives of the community. The People’s Palace, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will host the Forum until the 10th of December.

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