STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SADC-PF ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

 

Dear Colleagues/partners, It is with immense pleasure that I release this statement to the Forum’s august Member Parliaments and partners in view of celebrating the International Day of Democracy on this 15th September 2021.

Today, we celebrate democracy which is the bedrock supporting the existence of parliaments. Parliamentarism and democracy walk hand in hands on the promising path towards worldwide peace, unity and stability. Human rights and fundamental freedoms thrive in a democracy and would perish in the absence of it. Moreover, it is trite that democratic principles are the founding pillars of the rule of law, constitutionalism and equality.

In this vein, the Forum seizes this opportunity to salute and pay tribute to SADC Member Parliaments which have bravely stood the challenging test of time and have recorded a rich history of promoting democratic principles within the context of parliamentary sovereignty. While the past and current year have been trying times for democracy in the SADC region, parliaments have endured adversity and have furthermore ensured the requisite continuity which was quintessential to legislate as well as to continue holding the Executive to account. The felicitous work conducted by SADC parliaments within their respective democratic framework has cushioned the devastating effects of COVID-19 and has enabled the region to embark on a progressive path of economic recovery.

In line with its Strategic Plan (2019-2023), the SADC Parliamentary Forum reiterates its commitment to advance democracy through interparliamentary cooperation and to implement the SADC Model Law on Elections which is a hallmark of representative democracy and a gateway towards good governance. Thanks to continued democracy, a new dawn of hope and prosperity towers over Africa and the world.

Long Live Democracy and Long Live Parliaments!

Yours sincerely,

Ms B.Sekgoma, Secretary General,

SADC Parliamentary Forum