African lawmakers, under the aegis of African Parliamentary Union (APU), on Monday pledged to forge a common front against terrorism and organized crime in the continent.
The APU Secretary-General, N’zi Kofi, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 73rd Session of the Executive Committee of the APU holding at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to him, this year’s Executive Session with the theme, “The role of the parliament in the fight against terrorism and organised crime in Africa,” would explore diverse means by which African countries, through their parliaments, could collaborate to rid the continent of the twin menace of terrorism and organized crime.
“We must acknowledge that the Nigerian government has gained ground in the fight against Boko Haram. However, the continued hostage taking by Boko Haram, especially of the Chibok and Dapchi school girls, point to the need for increased collaboration.”
“The continent has continued to witness various incidences of violence by terrorists and organized criminals, hence the need for a collaborative action,” the Secretary-General stated at the opening ceremony.
He used the opportunity to thank the outgoing executives for the “commendable manner in which they piloted the affairs of the Union,” and expressed optimism that APU would champion economic growth and development in Africa.
The African Parliamentary Union, formerly known as the Union of African Parliaments, is a continental inter-parliamentary organization first established in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on 13 February, 1976.
The Union, it is said, aims to unite African parliamentary institutions, to encourage contacts among African and world parliamentarians, and to strengthen and promote democracy and peace among African countries, including Nigeria.
The five-day event, which started on Monday, 6 November is expected to last till Friday, 10 November, 2018.
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