Lack of Trust, Accountability Threatens Democracy in Africa – ECOWAS Speaker

By Linda Ike

The Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Hon. Sidie Tunis has attributed the failure of democracy in African to lack of trust and accountability by the leaders.

Hon. Tunis made the indication on Tuesday at the ongoing delocalized meeting of the joint committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) / Legal affairs and
human rights / Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment in Banjul, Capital of Gambia with the theme:
Community Texts relating to Peace, Security, Democracy and Good Governance: Challenges in their Implementation and the Oversight Role of ECOWAS Parliament”

He said, in Africa the fragility of democracy is caused by electoral abuse, ethnic divisions, mismanagement of natural resources, poverty, and economic insecurity.

Represented by the 4th Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Adja Satu Camara Pinto, Tunis condemned in it’s strongest terms, acts of violence in Sierra Leone which led to loss of lives, destruction of properties and unspeakable pain in the country

He urged the citizens of Sierra Leone
to adhere to the rule of law, which according to him is the best path to channel and address grievances.

He said, ”Many democracies are having difficulties globally, in this present day, these failures are often attributed to the lack of trust and accountability. We are seeing regime change and reforms in many parts of the world. In Africa the fragility of our democracies is caused by electoral abuse, ethnic divisions, mismanagement of natural resources, poverty, and economic insecurity.

“”There is a need for political will and action to counter these problems, and these are better achieved through our institutions. It is said that integration is about people. Indeed, it is high time our region began to derive the benefits”.

The Speaker also commended the
People of Senegal for successfully conducting a peaceful parliamentary elections on 31st 2022 and congratulated all the winners, adding that the parliament look forward to working with the Membership of the new Parliament for the good of the sub region.

On his part, the Gambian Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Mamadou Tangara stressed that member states should collectively act swiftly to address the issues of insecurity in the subregion.

“As nations sharing the same destiny, we have a moral obligation and a collective responsibility to act swiftly to address all issues hampering the institutional advancement, the consolidation of peace, security and the empowerment of women who as the driving forces of the Region.

Today, it is immensely gratifying to observe the overwhelming response of all partners and people of goodwill here present to affirm a faith in a common purpose, a common conviction and a common devotion in the consolidation of Peace, Security and Good Governance and other community achievements” he said.

The Speaker of the Gambia National Assembly, Hon Fabakary Tombong Jatta in his opening remarks called for the need for proactive intervention by the Parliament to curb insecurity in the region, emphasising that
peace and security is the bed rock on which all developments strive.