Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta delivered these remarks at the ongoing 2nd African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty held in Kampala, Uganda.
The confab is under the theme "The Emerging Global Challenges Threatening African Sovereignty, Family, and Values."
He emphasised the detrimental impact of factors like politics, tribalism, and religion, which he observed, have been misused to sow discord and perpetuate violence across the globe, particularly in Africa.
Speaker Jatta reminded lawmakers of their responsibility to enact robust legislation, establish oversight mechanisms, and build strong institutions to combat these threats.
To that end, he highlighted the serious threat posed by illicit financial flows to African sovereignty, saying those outflows divert vast sums of wealth from African economies, depriving governments of crucial resources for development and service delivery.
"Whether through corruption, tax evasion, or money laundering, these illicit activities weaken the fiscal integrity of our nations and perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality."
Hon. Jatta reminded that defending national sovereignty entails protecting the rights and interests of all citizens.
That, he added, also requires upholding democratic principles, ensuring transparency and accountability, and nurturing an inclusive political culture where all individuals, regardless of background or beliefs, can meaningfully participate in the democratic process.
He noted that by empowering citizens and building strong, responsive institutions, Africa can solidify the foundations of its sovereignty and chart a course toward a more prosperous and equitable future for all.
He thus challenged conference participants to seize the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to African sovereignty, family values, and a brighter future. He emphasised the leadership role of parliamentarians in inspiring their constituents and forging partnerships that transcend borders and generations.
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