The Role of Regional Parliaments in Promoting the Enforcement of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance in Member States

Abstract

This research paper evaluates the role of Regional Parliaments in promoting the enforcement of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance in Member States with particular emphasis on the Problems and Prospects therein. Using the doctrinal research methodology, which entails the gathering, evaluation and analysis of information within the context of the issue under examination, the paper revealed that Regional Organizations primarily foster cooperation, political
and economic integration, dialogue, and most importantly promote constitutionalism among Member States. It was found that they do this by encouraging good governance via the adoption of democratic principles and institutions positioned on well defined concepts such as the need for human rights, an independent Judiciary, as well as the adherence to the principles of Separation of Powers. It was however noted that various problems such as poor funding, lack of political will, low level of parliamentary awareness, and failure of State parties to ensure prompt ratification, domestication, and implementation by their National Parliaments have formed cogs in the wheels of sustained progressive achievements. The paper concludes that the integration agenda of Regional Parliaments has not only engendered cooperation among States, but has indeed infused harmony into the corpus juris of the various regions where they are found in Africa. It was recommended inter alia that State parties should ensure adequate funding, parliamentary awareness, enhanced political will, better coordination, regular reporting, and prompt ratification and implementation of the Charter and indeed other African Union Treaties.