Africa-Press – Botswana. Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, says while Africans have overwhelmingly rejected alternatives to democratic rule, continental leaders have failed to deliver on its promise.
He said this at a meeting with an African Union (AU) Commission delegation led by Director of Strategic Planning and Delivery, Ms Botho Bayedi recently.
Mr Keorapetse referenced the Afro-barometer survey of 39 African countries, which showed that citizens favoured democracy and rejected one-party rule, military rule and corruption.
He thus emphasised the crucial role of parliaments in safeguarding democracy and holding the executive accountable.
“Parliament takes its mandate seriously in the broader context of safeguarding democracy and aspires to strengthen its institutional capacity as a member of the Pan-African Parliament and the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum. It has the power to hold the executive accountable,” he said.
Mr Keorapetse also highlighted the importance of dialogue with the AU and other partners on key issues, including the death penalty, corporal punishment, indigenous rights as well as the establishment of a constitutional court.
“As such, the visit is timely as there are ongoing debates on such key issues.
We need the dialogue, assistance and engagement with the African Union Commission,” he added.
For her part, Ms Bayedi highlighted the need for Botswana to incorporate the AU’s Agenda 2063 into its national development plans.
She indicated that the continent’s long-term strategy was not a competitor, but a complementary to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Both of them are happening through National Development Plans and sub-national plans. So member states tend to say they are overwhelmed by the reporting on all of them,” she said.
She added that in 2018, the UN Secretary General and the former AU chairperson signed the Framework on Joint Implementation, hence the AU was pushing for joint implementation of both agendas.
Ms Bayedi further acknowledged that the AU Commission was ready to assist the Botswana Parliament in aligning its work with both agendas.
Meanwhile, the meeting between the Speaker and the AU delegation underscored a shared commitment to strengthening democracy and promoting development across Africa.
It highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between national governments and regional bodies to achieve sustainable progress and safeguard democratic values.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
