The regional Assembly now wants the EAC to establish a think-tank that shall build capacities of Parliaments to address issues of peace and conflict transformation and promote activities around security and transformation.
The Assembly late yesterday afternoon passed a Resolution for the establishment of the African Parliamentary Centre for Peace and Security (APCPS) in its quest to leverage regional peace and security.
The Resolution moved by Hon Abubakar Zein Abubakar affirms that in the exercise of their representative, legislative and oversight responsibilities, Parliaments can and should be the catalyst in building a culture of peace and confront sources of conflict and war in society.
The envisaged African Parliamentary Centre for Peace and Security will be located in the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI), which was launched in 2012 to provide a unique opportunity for Parliamentarians and other stakeholders to sharpen their skills in parliamentary matters.
The APCPS it is envisaged shall focus on capacities in research, capacity building, constitutional, legal and policy development. It will also enhance capacities in the areas of publishing, diplomacy and networking.
The Resolution further avers that; EALA and the EAC will endeavour to ensure the African Parliamentary Centre for Peace and Security becomes the centre of excellence for the study and imparting information, knowledge, values, skills and attitudes that make peace flourish and build a culture of peace among Parliamentarians. The centre also hopes to impart skills and capacities on addressing conflict situations by institutions of Parliament, Parliamentarians and staff.
During debate, it was stated that Parliaments must be a focal point when it comes to maintaining peace and security. Hon Dr. Martin Nduwimana urged the Assembly to ensure a new chapter in the peace dispensation is written. “For the last 50 years since the region realised independence, we have continued to contend with challenges in peace and security. We need to turn a fresh page”, the legislator said.
Hon Peter Mathuki urged the region to ensure sustenance of media freedom so that information may flow to the citizens. “The media plays a fundamental role in ensuring peace is sustained and we must not gag media freedom”, he added.
Hon Dora Byamukama said it was now time to operationalise the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI). “The establishment of the African parliamentary Centre for Peace and Security is definitely a shot in the arm in supporting the establishment of EAPI,” the legislator said.
The Counsel to the Community, Hon Wilbert Kaahwa was emphatic that an institute of the nature was fundamental in actualizing peace and security. He however challenged the legislators to take into consideration other symbiotic relationships with similar organisations. “The region has the Nyerere Peace Centre and we need to see how the envisaged outfit aligns in terms of the objectives with the Centre,” he said.
Others who spoke in support of the Resolution were Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro and Hon Joseph Kiangoi.
-Ends-
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For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer;
East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org Web: https://www.eala.org Arusha, Tanzania
