By Chernor Alimamy Kamara in Monrovia
Parliamentarians in the ECOWAS Parliament have called on majority and minority Political Parties of parliament in the different member states to always work together, regardless of their disagreements.
The motion was moved by the Liberian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Mawine G. Diggs on the 27th July 2023 during a Delocalized Joint Committee meeting held by the ECOWAS Parliament.
According to Diggs, majority and minority parties must respect democratic principles and values. She explained that whilst the majority focuses on the delivery of its programs, it should create the enabling environment to co-exist with others.
She added that a healthy collaboration between the government, opposition and other stakeholders can immensely minimize conflicts.
Diggs stated that ‘’the minority has its say but the majority have the will’’, explaining that such can only be true if the majority takes the responsibility to demonstrate the ‘will’ to do the right things, create the required space for all to participate as they wish.
In addition, the Minister said that for the minority ‘’having say’’ means to insist on holding the government accountable and serviceable while also respecting the rule of law.
‘’The majority and minority must collaborate and build synergies on their commonalities in areas of gender parity, a free press, an independent judiciary, and an open budget which puts the people first and above all, upholds the constitution,’’ she said.
She noted that the governing majority has a duty to govern whilst the minority has a charge to subscribe to the rule of law. She noted that the right to protest and hold government accountable or ‘’hold their feet to the fire’’ is fundamental and must be exercised in a peaceful manner that is consistent with the constitution.
She added that besides criticism, the minority is required to provide alternatives on what the governing majority could do in the best interest of the citizens.
Diggs said that the concept of ‘’Silent Majority’’ refers to a significant subset of a population that is not active in politics, but as a collective have the ability to greatly influence the outcome of any election.
She stated that while countries like Mali and Guinea have slid back to elements of the past, the African Continent has largely gravitated towards democracy. She cited recent elections in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, noting that the journey of African democracy is an irreversible trajectory.
The ECOWAS Delocalized joint committee was held in Monrovia from 25th to 28th July, 2023. The meetings are organized to deal with matters relating to peace, stability and security in the regional.
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