THE Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda has implored Parliament to hold the Executive to account on how it determines and executes public policy and programmes on national peace and security.
This, according to Mudenda, was a critical role in holding those in power accountable and this helps guaranteed constitutionalism, legality and the rule of law, national security as directed by section 119 and section 206 of the Constitution.
Mudenda said this recently while presenting a paper on Parliament’s oversight role and contribution to national security.
“Parliament vis-a-vis national security in its expansive connotations which include, among others, state security that guarantees the independence and sovereignty of our nation, socio-economic security inclusive of food security and environmental security apart from human personal security that extols the right to life as well as other personal rights and freedoms,” Mudenda said.
Pointing out that the use of violence, overt or covert, is not consistent with constitutionalism and the rule of law, and is, therefore, unlawful, he added: “Protecting the security of our nation, our people, our livelihoods, our territorial integrity and sovereignty is Parliament's foremost mission and constitutional duty as the people’s representative institution. Parliament, through its representative, legislative and oversight roles has an unprecedented opportunity to make our nation prosper in secure safety.
“This gives Parliament the broader function of strengthening the governance system by calling upon the Executive to account for the manner it determines and executes public policy and programmes that undergird national peace and security. It is within this legal framework that Parliament must oversee the governance by the Executive so that the State adheres to constitutionalism, legality and the rule of law.”
