Chairperson of the National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, has urged members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region to ensure that the continent plays an active role in shaping the future of the organisation.
He made the remarks during the official opening of the 90th Executive Committee Meeting of the CPA Africa Region held in Swakopmund.
He said it was important for African parliaments to ensure that the region’s priorities are reflected in the broader work of the CPA.
“This gathering is a pivotal moment for CPA Africa Region. We are convening to set the agenda for our upcoming meetings and engagements. It is vital for us to ensure that the voices of Africa are not only heard but amplified within the broader Commonwealth Parliamentary Association,” he said.
Hon. Muha noted that the CPA is expected to undergo institutional changes in the near future, which he said presents an opportunity for Africa to contribute to the reform process.
“In the near future, a new Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will emerge. The CPA Africa region in general, and the EXCO in particular, have every reason to take pride in their steadfast advocacy for a redefined CPA status,” he stated..
“This is not merely a procedural shift, it is indeed a generational opportunity to renew the CPA’s relevance, legitimacy, and impact,” said the Chairperson.
According to the National Council Chairperson, African representatives must consider how they can influence the development of the new framework of the association.
“The question before Africa is whether this development will reflect our aspirations, or merely replicate the existing framework in a different form,” he said.
He added that African parliaments should actively participate in shaping reforms to the CPA’s constitutional and legislative framework.
“It is therefore imperative that we ask ourselves: what meaningful contribution are we, as representatives of our Africa, making to the reform of the constitution of this new Association and its accompanying legislative instruments,” he stressed.
He also pointed to broader challenges facing the continent, including governance, socio-economic development, and global geopolitical pressures.
“The multifaceted challenges that we encounter, ranging from governance and socio-economic transformation to the advancement of peace and justice are further intensified by the prevalence of the global geopolitical environment,” he said.
He said African parliaments must strengthen parliamentary diplomacy to ensure that the continent’s interests are protected and advance Africa’s own agenda.
“These circumstances call for a renewed commitment to unity and solidarity, ensuring that Africa’s voice is not only articulated but also accorded due regard in shaping the patterns of this evolving global order,” he added.
The meeting was officially opened by Namibia’s Vice President, Lucia Witbooi.
