Delegates listening to Sir Allan Kemakeza, MP, delivering his presentation in Workshop E.
key part of their vital role in resolving and preventing conflicts. For example, Prof. P. J. Kurien, MP,
of India stated that “Parliamentarians are collectively duty-bound to take multifarious initiatives to create peace and stability in society”. The discussion also emphasized
guarded by Parliamentarians for Parliamentarians,” he said. He explained that there are
certain structural conditions conducive to conflict and that there is a correlative relationship between poverty and conflict. No longer could conflict be categorized in terms of war and peace; it now included political violence and criminal violence.
Parliamentary peacekeeping The dialogue which followed focused generally on reiterating the need for Parliamentarians to go beyond dialogue to strengthen national institutions, including Parliament, as a
the need for the valuable experience of Parliamentarians in this area to be exploited both domestically and internationally to air grievances, resolve disputes and prevent conflicts as well as to reconcile opposing forces to end conflict and prevent it from erupting again. Hon. Kenneth Marende, MP, of
Kenya stated that the underlying factor to conflict resolution seemed to be good governance. He specified that instead of
embracing a concept of democracy as majority rule, it could be more effective to ensure all governments are inclusive such as the coalition governments in Kenya and the United Kingdom.
Mr Marende’s reference to
the U.K’s coalition government, however, brought disagreement from Rt Hon. Lord Foulkes of Cumnock of the U.K. who stated that their coalition was in fact not a good example as there is conflict within the coalition itself. Generally, the discussion emphasized primarily that, among institutional measures, the need for parliamentary and electoral reform to guarantee that all communities are and are perceived to be fully represented and heard in the nation’s primary political forum. Parliaments must also be strengthened so they legislate and hold the executive accountable effectively, transparently and in the interest of all sections of society.
Among other contributions, Hon.
Cornelia Carol September. MP, of South Africa stated that it was important that Parliamentarians emphasized the need for a better control of arms, supporting the
points raised by Mr Kiandee in his presentation. Hon. Request Muntanga, MP,
of Zambia inquired into the role of the CPA in conflict resolution and called for the association to have a more definitive role in this area for its Members. The workshop noted that Parliaments must also campaign to depoliticize and strengthen other institutions such as the judiciary, the police and security forces. Commissions such as those to prevent corruption and to protect human rights must be established or strengthened. All these institutions must be monitored to ensure they operate according to the rule of law and without partisan political or communal biases. In conclusion, the workshop emphasized the overriding need for effective political leadership and the agreement from all involved in a conflict to have constructive discussions towards finding solutions.