AU Stresses need for commitment to democratic ideals

AU Stresses need for commitment to democratic ideals
Collins Atohegbe, South Africa

The African Union Peace and Security commission has called on African leaders and people in the continent to demonstrate a strong commitment to the ideals and practice of democracy with patience and support from citizens.

The African Union’s commissioner for peace and security, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra made the observation in an address he delivered at the Fourth ordinary session of the parliament holding in Midrand, South Africa.

Mr. Lamamra said recent political upheavals in North Africa have shown that there is a limit to how long citizens are willing to wait for political and socio-economic advancement in the face of lack of responsive government to their hopes and aspirations.

He said elections, which should have served as instruments for a peaceful transition, have resulted in deep fragmentation of societies thus making it difficult to implement a system that could have encouraged durable advancement.

Continental vision

The AU Commissioner said the vision of the Union to build an integrated, prosperous and conflict free Africa was achievable because of the continent’s available human and natural resources, which are now being constrained by the persistent crises and conflicts on the continent.

Mr. Lamamra said though AU had from the beginning sought to create an environment that would enable democracy to grow, it has suffered from the slow implementation of the union’s provisions on good governance, free and fair elections, human rights and justice.

He called on the Pan-African Parliament to help give vent to the implementation of the various protocols that would enhance peace, security, stability and sustainable development of Africa.

Qasim