Yvonne Dausab, Namibia's minister of justice, has urged African leaders to promote a culture of accountability and allow their citizens to hold them accountable for their actions and decisions in their respective countries, arguing that good governance is essential to ensuring sustainable development on the continent.
Speaking at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South Africa, the Namibian official stressed the importance of leaders raising concerns about those officials who deviate from the goals set by continental organizations such as the African Union (AU) and its legislative body, the PAP.
"We don't, as leaders, want to hold each other accountable […] for heralding the end of non-participation of Africans in the continental decision-making processes," Dausab told the African Parliament.
Dausab added that one of the ways to "strengthen democracy" in Africa is to ensure that courts and the judicial system are independent and well-supported. She argued that heads of state should ensure that the executive branch of government abides by the decisions of the judicial system.
"Executives, once the judiciary has made a decision, [should] comply with the decision of the courts so that the public can also see that they can trust the judiciary with the function of interpreting the law and applying the constitutional precepts that are set in various constitutions of the continent," Dausab said.
The minister added that another way to strengthen the rule of law on the continent is to "put the right people in the right positions."
The Pan-African Parliament, which was founded in March 2004, serves as the legislative arm of the African Union. The parliament has advisory, oversight, and consultative functions. The parliament consists of 275 members, with five members elected from each AU Member State. Originally based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the PAP has since moved to Midrand, South Africa.