20 Nations, asides South Africa and Mozambique, Endorse African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values

The Fourth African Inter-Parliamentary Conference concluded in Accra on Friday, with South Africa and Mozambique abstaining from adopting the draft African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values, despite endorsement by 20 other African countries.

The conference convened parliamentarians, political leaders, traditional authorities, faith-based organisations, and civil society representatives from across the continent.

The draft charter aims to establish a continental legal and moral framework to safeguard traditional African social norms, religious beliefs, and national sovereignty against what the organisers term foreign ideologies.

In explaining its position, the South African delegation, led by Zandile Majozi, stated that while the country respects the charter’s objectives, certain provisions are inconsistent with Chapter 2 of its Constitution, which enshrines the Bill of Rights. It further noted that these provisions do not align with the country’s regional and international legal obligations.

Mozambique, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, cited logistical challenges and constraints within its legislative schedule as the reasons for its decision.

The letter indicated that the significance and sensitivity of the issues raised in the charter necessitate prior consultations, public sensitisation, and a joint review involving Parliament, the government, and other relevant national authorities before a final decision can be made.

In a draft communiqué issued at the conclusion of the conference, participants expressed concern regarding what they described as escalating threats to the African family, national sovereignty, and societal values. They reaffirmed their commitment to the resolutions adopted during the meeting.

The communiqué stated that deliberations focused on fostering parliamentary consensus on the charter.

Discussions encompassed African family systems, sovereignty and cultural preservation, value-based education and youth development, gender, marriage and family well-being, as well as technology, media, and global influence.

Comparative legislative approaches were also examined.

These discussions were guided by the charter’s key thematic areas, including the sovereignty of the African family, religious and cultural values, education, health, food and natural resources, and economic and political sovereignty.

The conference adopted 12 key recommendations to support the implementation of the charter.

Among these was a proposal for the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (COSPAL) to formally endorse the activities, resolutions, and outcomes of the first four conferences that contributed to the charter’s development.

Participants also recommended the establishment of a COSPAL Committee on Family, Sovereignty and Values to provide strategic oversight for the institutionalisation process, supported by a secretariat to coordinate its activities.

Other recommendations included the formation of national parliamentary caucuses on Family, Sovereignty and Values within member states, the development of a sustainable financing framework, the creation of governance instruments for the proposed COSPAL committee, and the establishment of clear implementation timelines.

The conference further called for strengthened collaboration with key stakeholders, the building of strategic partnerships with like-minded institutions globally, and the promotion of educational and cultural initiatives to raise awareness of African values.

Participants expressed their gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama, the Government of Ghana, and the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Bagbin, for hosting the event.

They also urged African parliaments to subject the draft charter to internal consultations with their respective Executives and to allow for public participation. Civil society organisations were equally encouraged to facilitate broader public engagement in anticipation of the fifth conference scheduled for the following year.