Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
THE Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has pledged to help usher a new epoch for Africa through the promotion of tolerance and peace to ensure political stability on the continent.
Addressing the 13th plenary session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in the Chadian capital, N’Djamena, this week, PAP president Chief Fortune Charumbira highlighted the key role the continental legislature can play in ushering a new
dawn for Africa.
Chief Charumbira said PAP, as a body of direct representatives of African people, can lead the charge in the push for a new continent that is free from conflict and terrorism.
He lamented increasing intolerance across the globe as evidenced by the raging Russia-Ukraine conflict and disturbances in Africa’s Sahel region, among other flashpoints globally.
He also called for increased cultural and religious tolerance to shield communities against radicalism, which is behind instability in some parts of Africa and the world.
“Africa’s experience is rich in lessons. From the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa to peace agreements in Liberia, Sudan and Mozambique, our continent has shown that it is possible to emerge from conflict through dialogue and tolerance,” he
said.
Chief Charumbira hailed the timeous holding of the session on tolerance in Chad at a time when Africa and the world at large need tolerance to create a better world.
There was also need for digital tolerance, he said, especially in the age of social media and artificial intelligence.
According to Chief Charumbira, creating global parliamentary partnerships to help promote peace and tolerance through the involvement of direct representatives of the people was critical.
He challenged parliaments to concretise commitments to peace and tolerance through enactment of laws and setting up of institutions that promote these values.
Chad’s hosting of the peace and tolerance session, Chief Charumbira said, was a powerful message of the Sahel nation’s commitment to leverage on tolerance and dialogue as weapons to engender peace and prosperity.
