Addis Ababa:African political parties must enhance their role in fostering economic transformation and fortifying the continent's sovereignty and institutions, stated Dr. Fateh Boutbig, President of the Pan-African Parliament. He delivered these remarks during his closing address at the Second African Political Parties Summit, held in Addis Ababa under the theme "Governance for Growth."
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Dr. Boutbig expressed gratitude to the Ethiopian government and people for hosting the summit and commended Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for his dedication to Africa's development. He highlighted the historical significance of holding the summit at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, a site symbolizing Africa's resistance against colonialism and the transition from political liberation to economic independence.
Dr. Boutbig emphasized the need for Africa to control its economic decisions and enhance its capability in wealth, knowledge, and technology production. He urged political parties to prioritize economic development over mere competition for power, asserting that a party's true value lies in its contribution to human resource development, institution building, and public policy formulation. He also stressed the importance of shifting from raw material exports to manufacturing and innovation, and called for investment in the continent's youth and women to foster their participation in decision-making.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was mentioned as a vital opportunity to bolster regional markets and further the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Dr. Boutbig underlined the necessity of political will, effective institutions, investment-friendly legislation, and stability to achieve these objectives. He also spoke about the Addis Ababa Declaration and efforts to enhance political training and leadership development in Africa.
Plans to launch the African Center for Legislative Studies and Research and establish the first African Parliamentary University were announced by Dr. Boutbig, alongside an initiative to organize an African Conference of Political Parties in 2027, aimed at promoting conflict prevention and peacebuilding. An African Women Parliamentarians Conference is also planned for the next year.
Dr. Boutbig called for the conversion of summit outcomes into actionable programs through improved coordination among political parties, parliaments, and governments. He emphasized the importance of Africa actively shaping its future in response to global changes, concluding with a call for unity and collective action towards a free, united, and strong Africa.
