Sadc PF calls for diplomacy in prevention, solving conflicts

Farirai Machivenyika

Senior Reporter

THE Sadc Parliamentary Forum has called on parliaments to play a leading role in the prevention and resolution of conflicts through diplomacy.

This was said by Sadc PF secretary-general Ms Boemo Sekgoma to mark the International Day of Parliamentarism, which was celebrated on Monday.

She bemoaned the increase in violent conflicts across the world that have caused massive infrastructure damage, deaths and the displacement of millions of people.

“At a time when lasting peace for the world appears to be a surreal objective, it is quintessential for parliaments to rally towards peace-building and the exploration of diplomatic means to protracted conflict resolution,” she said.

“Parliament, as a democratic institution, is ideally positioned to demonstrate neutrality, be critical in war policing, and to legislate or exercise oversight in view of ensuring that the State and its enabling institutions are on a trajectory that promotes peace through conciliatory measures.

“Inter-parliamentary cooperation and diplomacy, spearheaded by mandated representatives, can go a long way to promote ceasefires and mediate for the pacific settlement of disputes.”

Ms Sekgoma added that it was also crucial to include women and youth representatives to contribute to the parliamentary movement, bearing in mind that peaceful solutions can only be attained when they are inclusive, holistic as well as gender-responsive.

“The Forum thus associates itself fully with the theme of ‘Achieving Gender equality, action by action’ that marks the 2025 Inter-Parliamentary Union theme for this commemorative day.

“Historically, it has been demonstrated time and again that women MPs can be efficient emissaries of peace and can also resolve complex conflicts which may have eluded policymakers for decades,” she said.

“The time is nigh for MPs, both men and women, to garner their representative mandate and dismount the prospect of war between nations, de-escalate intra-state conflicts, and ensure that budgets are prioritised to address the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including to enable universal health coverage under SDG 3, a coveted aspiration for most Sadc citizens.”

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