African countries urged to ratify AU charters

African governments have been urged to ratify and implement African Union instruments meant to promote constitutionalism, rule of law and good governance on the continent. The call was made yesterday at the conclusion of a three-day regional consultative meeting held in Kigali. The consultative meeting from November 14 - 16 was organised by the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union. Participants included MPs of East African Region, member states of IGAD, the African Union organs, experts in constitutionalism and rule of law, representatives of civil society organisations, among others. Dr. Khabele Matlosa, Director of Political affairs at the African Union Commission, asked member states yet to ratify charters to identify their challenges so that the commission can assist. Participants reflected on the challenges related to the responsibilities of parliaments, ministries, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in promoting rule of law, decentralisation, good governance and development. To advance democratisation in Africa through these charters, governments were advised to work with parliaments, judiciary, civil society and other stakeholders. A delegate speaks during the conclusion of three day regional consultative meeting in Kigali. All AU member states were encouraged to ratify, domesticate and implement the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralisation, Local Government and Local Development among other recommendations. Amb. Fatuma Ndangiza, deputy CEO of the Rwanda Governance Board who presided over the closing ceremony said the charters are ways to ensure good governance, respect of human rights, justice and the rule of law on the continent per the aspirations of agenda 2063. She urged participants to make further efforts in promoting the charters “to go beyond passive position and become active vectors of information and communication of their content at all levels.” “I want to encourage the AU Commission and other AU organs to continue their effort in promoting the rule of law, decentralisation, good governance and participatory development through the two charters. I hope the presentations and interactions made have convinced you more on the urgent need to ratify and implement the charters in our respective countries,” she said. Amb. Ndangiza emphasised that the Rwandan government is committed to own the recommendations of the meeting and take necessary actions to implement them and invite other AU member states to do so. A participant follows proceedings. Meanwhile, Dr. Khabele urged countries to conduct constitutional reviews through national consensus and referendum to avoid political instability on the continent. “When countries amend their constitutions, they should do that within the framework of their constitutions, being mindful of what their constitutions provide for in terms of amendment and the process should be based on national consensus,” he said. Mhita Mboni Mohammed, representative of the Pan African Parliament, said “The meeting helped us to recall our mission in promoting the values that we cherish on our continent. Its outcomes will speed up the objectives of our strategic plan 2014-2017 on promoting human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa through the increased ratification of AU shared values and instruments.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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African countries urged to ratify AU charters