The African Union Commission, the Pan African Parliament in collaboration with International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) are holding a continental consultation that will help promote constitutionalism and Rule of Law on the Continent .The consultation serves as a way forward towards engagement of African parliaments and relevant stakeholders to promote constitutionalism and rule of Law in Africa. The consultation forms part of the action plan of the Constitutionalism and Rule of Law Cluster of the African Governance Platform. It is conceived as the first of a series of consultations to be undertaken with national and regional parliaments.

Dr. Khabele Matlosa the Director for Political Affairs speaking on behalf of Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, AUC upheld the commitment of all delegates present in building of an Africa where values and principles of good governance and democracy are embedded through a culture of constitutionalism and rule of law.  While cementing the AU’ role on promotion of good governance, the Director stressed the adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) by the African Union Heads of States and Government in 2007 to promote and safeguard democracy and good governance. He further reiterated AU’s role at the continental level, to identify challenges regarding constitutionalism and rule of law that involved consultations with civil society, the youth and women as an effort to address challenges. Dr. Khabele underscored the rapid growth of   non-respect of constitutional clauses that is on the rise and contributing to political instability noting that Constitutionalism has now entered a phase of intense activity and is now an important part of political life in Africa that cannot be overlooked.  Highlighting the role of Parliaments in representing the people which makes them key guarantors of constitutionalism and rule of law despite the overarching diverse challenges they face.

Prof Adebayo Olukoshi, Regional Director for, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) called upon engagement of national actors in discussions concerning constitutionalism and went further to highlight the progress that has been made so far since the 90’s regarding to the shift from military to democratic rule in many of the African countries. “The manipulation of constitutions to extend term limits for incumbent leaders is singularly the most pressing issue that needs to be addressed at the moment” said the Director. In his conclusion   Prof Olukoshi stressed the need to further engage the Pan African Parliament and other regional Parliaments to push the democratic agenda on the continent forward.

Addressing the meeting on behalf of the President of Pan African Parliament H.E Eduardo Joaquim Mulembwe, Vice President of the PAP emphasized the role of the PAP towards promotion of Democracy and good governance across Africa. Hon. Mulembwe underlined the fact that matters regarding Constitutionalism and Rule of Law are getting more and more social and political attention in Africa while reflecting on examples such as the Arab Spring, recent uprisings in Burundi and Burkina Faso which predetermine the need to draw more attention to Democracy and good governance. “These political crises recall again our role, as parliamentarians, as key stakeholders, on promoting constitutionalism and rule of law.” Underscored the Vice President

Hon. Mulembwe in his remarks noted that the meeting is held at a  timely period as to solely due to the fact that, it reminds  delegates on the  missions in promoting values such as Constitutionalism and Rule of Law  that are cherished on the continent Furthermore the Vice President   underscored  the Pan African Parliament’s eminent role towards  promoting the Agenda of Democracy and Good governance which saw the initiation and ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) by AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities.

The consultation is conceived as the first of a series of consultations to be undertaken with regional and national parliaments in the coming years.

The three day consultation is set to conclude on Friday 27th November 2015