Chirumanzu-Zibagwe legislator and chairperson of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), Auxillia Mnangagwa, has challenged African governments to shift from opaque governance and be more open and transparent if they are to achieve the United Nations-set Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
Speaking at a PAP session in Kenya yesterday, Mnangagwa said SDG 16, which speaks of peace, inclusion and delivery of basic services, depends largely on political will and accountable management of power by African governments.
“This goal goes a long way to achieve Africa’s development. However, its achievement rests on the political will of various governments in Africa and beyond,” she said.
Mnangagwa called for tolerance and forgiveness especially in war torn countries and back home, where opposition political parties have been engaged in running battles with the government, as civil unrest over economic collapse takes centre stage.
“The achievement of peaceful communities requires basic tenets of humanity such as tolerance, forgiveness, love and willingness to live in peace with others,” she said.
The legislator called on all member States to adopt the African Charter on Democracy and Good Governance, as a way of ensuring that SDG 16 is achieved.
“As a continental parliament, we are advocating that all African States should adopt the African Charter on Democracy and Good Governance. This is because its adoption will ensure that ordinary citizens will have access to justice and transparent and accountable institutions,” she said.
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Mnangagwa said as a way of ensuring SDGs are achieved, the PAP was in the process of developing an SDG barometer to track progress on the implementation of the SDGs.
“We call upon interested partners to work with us on this programme,” she said.
