“Whilst recognising the need for a new African awareness of the dangers posed by separatism and interference in the internal affairs of States, which threaten the territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations, and whilst recalling that the unity and territorial integrity of States constitute the cornerstone of international relations, international law, and a fair global order, we firmly reject and condemn all forms of separatism, along with its instigators and perpetrators, and we warn against any complacency or alignment with this phenomenon,” they said in the Final Communiqué sanctioning the work of this Forum, organized by the House of Representatives.
They underlined the crucial roles of national parliaments in addressing these challenges and contributing to the fulfilment of African countries’ crucial stakes and their people’s aspirations for peace, security, development and progress.
The Final Communiqué recognized the pressing need for a decisive shift in intra-African relations, moving towards closer forms of cooperation, more intensive economic exchanges, and the implementation of continental, regional, national and cross-border transformative structural projects, which would serve as tributaries to the African Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other successful regional groupings and projects, stimulating thus Africa’s rise and its peoples’ ambitions for achieving shared prosperity.
The participants commended the initiative to hold this meeting, “which marks the beginning of a new phase of coordination, joint action, and constructive and productive consultation among our legislative institutions,” reaffirming their “determination to strengthen relations among Foreign Affairs Committees in African National Parliaments and coordinate their efforts and positions on matters within their competence, whilst ensuring full respect for the sovereignty of each State and the sovereign decision of each national parliament.”
In this respect, they underlined the importance of uniting efforts and coordinating positions in multilateral parliamentary forums at regional, continental and international levels, as part of the advocacy for the causes of the African continent, “particularly in pursuit of climate justice for our countries, addressing misconceptions about migration in host countries, and averting risks and threats facing our countries, especially terrorism, armed conflicts, and organised crime.”
Expressing their deep concern over the conflicts that afflict Africa and their resulting humanitarian tragedies, in addition to their economic and geopolitical costs, and their following with great concern the suffering of some countries across the continent, as a result of indiscriminate terrorism and abhorrent violent extremism, the participants affirmed their solidarity with the States affected by this phenomenon, strongly condemning all forms of terrorism and violence and underscoring the imperative of adhering to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and their prevention.
They also affirmed their unequivocal belief and confidence in Africa’s potential, in terms of human resources, particularly its youth, and in terms of the strategic mineral resources with which the African land is abundantly endowed, in addition to the fertile agricultural lands, and the immense marine resources, expressing their determination to contribute to harnessing the assets and expertise available in their countries as levers for African economic integration, as well as for “building a prosperous and advanced Africa, where the goal of “Africa as the Continent of the Future” is achieved, and where the legitimate ambition of transforming potential into wealth and instruments of economic and strategic capability becomes a reality, through fostering South-South cooperation and partnership, making the value of “Africa’s Confidence in Africa” a tangible reality that is reflected in the conditions of our peoples.”
In the same vein, the Heads of Foreign Affairs Committees in African National Parliaments recalled in their Final Communiqué the many challenges facing Africa, regarding the investment in economic integration among African countries as a decisive tool for achieving stability and peace, and enabling citizens to secure employment that upholds their dignity and fosters a sense of belonging to the national community.
They expressed their commitment to raising the level of cooperation and exchange of expertise in parliamentary work “so as to strengthen the capabilities of our institutions and the trust of peoples in them, reinforce institutional and democratic construction, participation and stability, and develop our legislation, making it responsive to national and continental development requirements and desired African integration, all while respecting the contexts and institutional traditions of each country.”
In this respect, the participants announced the establishment of the “Forum of Heads of Foreign Affairs Committees in African National Parliaments,” an inclusive framework open to all African parliaments in the member States of the United Nations, “with the aim of institutionalising our cooperation, coordinating our efforts and positions.”
They finally extended their gratitude to the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting this meeting, “which falls within the framework of genuine African initiatives aimed at increasing the pace of joint African action.”
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