Statement
by H.E. President Joaquim Chissano, President of the Republic
of Mozambique and Current Chairperson of the African Union
at the Inauguration of the Pan African Parliament, in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia, March 18, 2004:
I have the pleasure
to begin my statement by congratulating, on behalf of those
present and on my own behalf, the Parliamentarians, who have
just taken office, with the certainty that they will duly
fulfill the aspirations and the wishes of our people.
Distinguished Members of the Pan-African Parliament,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The act taking place now represents a step further in the context of the
profound ongoing changes in Africa, this impoverished, underdeveloped and
marginalized Continent, about which many think that nothing but conflicts,
despair and misery can be expected.
Having seen Africa grow, from a Continent subjugated by
colonialism, apartheid and exploitation to a Continent
of free and independent states, I do believe
that, Africa not only has a future but that the future of the world hangs
on this Continent.
I cannot resist retelling an old prophecy which goes as follows:
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
The event that brings us together today is a consecration
of perseverance of the ideal for which the Founders of our
Organization have fought for – to
see an Africa that assumes and asserts itself as one, where the Pan-African
thinking and feeling should be present in each one of us.
When establishing the Organization of African Unity back
in 1963, here in Addis Ababa, our predecessors laid the foundation
of the embryo that would
grow, develop itself and become a mature and sound body, which we have
become today. This maturity has been built over long years
of hard struggle for
regaining our dignity and freedom. This maturity today carries with it
the responsibility of enriching ourselves and rebuilding
in each historical phase,
a heroic experience of liberation.
Our mission is to read correctly the current challenges and equation
of the changes that should be made in the structure of our Organization
of African
Unity, as well as within the conceptual framework of its operation, in
order to equip it adequately to face the present situation. Bearing
in mind the
vast and complex nature of the work ahead of us, in designing the organizational
structure of our Union, we deemed it necessary to establish, among other
organs, the Pan-African Parliament and mandate it to ensure full participation
of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the Continent.
We also entrusted it the mission of bringing together the African peoples,
thus contributing to the creation of greater Pan-African awareness and
the sentiment of belonging to the same family with a common destiny.
The organ that we are establishing today brings together representatives
from different families or political sensitivities and ideologies. They
emanate from the rich diversity and democratic processes existing in
our countries.
However, by taking oath before all of us, and Africa, you have solemnly
committed yourselves to embrace the sole ideal of serving Africa, contributing
with
all your strength and energies to build the African Union, a Union that
stands for unity and cohesion of its members.
With your action, you will contribute to the promotion of an ever-growing
climate of political convergence through discussion, deepening and codification
of values that will overcome the barriers that still prevent us from full
integration.
Therefore, there is great hope and expectation pinned on the establishment
of the Pan-African Parliament and on your work in particular.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Pan-African Parliament is established at a time when Africa is
facing enormous challenges. The establishment of the African Union
has raised the
expectations of our peoples of seeing the numerous difficulties that
affect their lives resolved. These expectations may be heightened
for the speedy
manner in which we have been able to establish the African Union institutions
and organs. Indeed, in less than two years, after the first session of
its Assembly, the African Union can be proud of itself with the inauguration
and operationalization of the Peace and Security Council. The Assembly,
the
Executive Council, the Permanent Representatives’ Committee and the Commission
are already in full operation.
So, we have the imperative need of doing our level best in
order to avoid dashing the expectation of our peoples,
and for fear of alienating
and undermining
the enthusiasm and faith that they have in our Union.
We are also gathered here at a moment when, more than ever before,
democratic equation poses itself in clear and undeniable terms.
The consolidation of
democracy in Africa is an assurance of the sustainability of the efforts
we make in the various forms to struggle for the affirmation of our
continent. But the democratic debate is far from over and Africa
cannot keep away
from such a debate. Our continent must become one which upholds
its own voice,
instead of being one which people talk about. Africa has a lot to contribute
to the development of contemporary political thought.
Thus, the Pan-African Parliament has the great challenge of becoming
the promoter and catalyst of this debate in all the segments of
the African society.
This debate has to synthesize and systemize the African experiences
of community participation in the development process of the societies.
I am confident that the thoughts about our reality may inform the
process of codification of the democratic experiences on the continent.
It is our view that these experiences should, among others, be
governed by what is dear in the African experience in practicing
democracy,
namely, the
culture of dialogue, consultations, tolerance, forgiveness, reconciliation,
accommodation, mutual help and sharing.
Excellencies,
It has to be borne in mind that the greatest challenge facing the
Pan-African Parliament is the task of exhausting all the avenues
of contributing to
the fast growth and development of our continent. It is also the
relentless fight
against poverty that is ravaging most of our countries.
Without economic development, our political processes, our institutions
will always be compromised. Their credibility and legitimacy will
leave a lot
to be desired. The capacity of financing and managing our electoral
processes is of paramount importance. However, economic development
is the interplay
of various factors, amongst which, peace is the most relevant and immediate.
Without peace, all our plans will be but a utopia. The conflicts
that are affecting our continent are a true threat to our development
efforts.
Actually,
conflicts perpetuate poverty, destroy economic and social infrastructures,
and scare off potential investments. Conflicts are largely the direct
cause of the economic and social backwardness of our continent.
It was against this background that in Algiers, in 1999, we decided
to prioritize the resolution of conflicts, as the focus of our
action.
We are pleased to note the positive developments that have
taken place in the process of conflict resolution, as noted
in the
cases of Cote
d’Ivoire,
Burundi, The Sudan, Angola, Liberia, Sierra Leone, DRC, among
others.
In Lome, in the Year 2000, we had another important development
in the process of looking for factors that promote the preservation
of
a more stable environment
in Africa. I am referring to the Declaration on the Unconstitutional
Changes in Africa, in conformity of which we have stood firm
and consistent. To
consolidate the efforts we undertake in order to bring peace
to our continent, we need
to renew our determination of fighting against a phenomenon we
consider eradicated in Africa. I am talking about the mercenarism,
against
which we have to take
relentless and dissuasive measures for it not to recur.
Excellencies,
At each stage of its existence, our continent has had to face
Herculean challenges, but it has been able to deal with them
accordingly.
The establishment of
the OAU in 1963 was the sublime way in which the continent could
organize itself to face the challenges then: the liberation
of the continent
from the colonial yoke and from exploitation.
To face the current challenges, which are growing in number
and complexity, we have deemed it appropriate to endorse
NEPAD, which
is a program aimed
at developing Africa, of the African Union. NEPAD mirrors the
vision of the continent on how to face the current and future
challenges.
It is, therefore, a fortunate coincidence that the Pan-African
Parliament has this fundamental instrument from its very
inception.
As an immediate action, I trust the Pan-African Parliament
will follow up the tasks related to the Peer Review Mechanisms,
in cooperation
with the
Panel of the Wise.
To do so we need to consider our objectives through brotherly
interface for a better analysis of our means, correct our
mistakes, eliminate
our shortcomings
and improve our governance.
The role the Parliament may play in encouraging the Member
States to adhere to the Peer review Mechanism will be critical.
Adhering to such a Mechanism is a concrete expression of
the decision taken by Member States to be guided by a set
of principles
and
patterns that can
foster good governance, democracy, observance of human rights
and social justice. It is also a way of participating in
a collective
effort aimed
at finding a solution to the countless problems faced by
our peoples, in an
environment whereby we can all learn from one another and consolidate
the good experiences. It would be praiseworthy and dignifying
for our continent
if, in a short span of time, all Member States adhered to the
Mechanism. That would be a clear manifestation of our determination
of walking
along the same path.
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Pan-African Parliament we are inaugurating will, for
some time, be the forum of the representatives of African
Parliaments.
Thus,
members of this
Organ have the critical task of working towards the gradual
laying down of the pillars that will sustain the true Pan-African
Parliament. It
is necessary
to contemplate the rich diversity of the parliamentary practices
of our countries, in order to identify the elements or
traits
that
may show
us the way we should
follow, so as to reach the desired harmonization.
Bearing in mind the challenges that Africa is facing with
respect to the development agenda with its partners,
particularly at multilateral level,
we hope that the Parliament, within the framework of
its activities,
will
mobilize its counterparts in other countries so that
they are able to positively promote the debate on African
issues
within
the
governments of their respective
countries. I am here referring to issues of external
trade and negotiations with the European Union, among others,
about Africa’s external debt.
Furthermore, this organ will also have a greater role
to play in the efforts towards facilitating the free
movement
of people
and
goods
within the African
Union’s space.
Indeed, the areas of intervention of this organ are wide.
However, in order to play an effective role this organ
has to undergo
restructuring in view
of its relevance to the internal organization and its
deliberations. The Parliament should, as a matter of
urgency, approve
its Rules of Procedure.
In the same vein, it would be most appropriate and wise
that, during its initial sessions, the Parliament focus
extensively
on NEPAD
in order to
have
an intensive knowledge of this program and to be able
to articulate NEPAD’s
priorities in its Plan of Action.
We would also like to propose that the Parliament hold
brainstorming sessions with the various bodies of the Union,
Regional
Economic Communities, with
a view to working out better strategies and ways of articulating
and establishing interaction between them.
Mr. Chairperson of the Commission,
Honorable Speakers of Parliaments,
Honorable Parliamentarians,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the launching of the Pan-African Parliament, Africa
could not feel more dignified. This event shall bear
witness to
the fact that
all those who think
that Africa’s future is bleak, are definitely wrong.
Thus, the whole world shall be watching to see what added
value
this organ
is going
to contribute
to our plan of building a strong and prosperous African
Union, and a reliable partner for the various regions
in the world.
Africa has already proved that she is capable. Unfortunately,
it appears that our destiny means we should prove this
every single
day of our existence.
Thus, we all bear a great responsibility. I am fully convinced
that, today, as in the past, we shall succeed.
Africa’s day shall arrive. It must arrive because
for the men, women, and youths of Africa, who are
united
around the
ideals
that our heroes
fought
and died for, we cannot but expect victory.
I thank you.
Africa Hoye
A luta Continua
Muito Obrigado
Muchas Gracias
Assante
Shukran
Je vous remercie
