The Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, delivered a keynote address at the Pan-African Parliament, emphasizing the role of civil society in promoting democracy, human rights, peace, and security within the African Union.

Drawing attention to the historical context, Dausab highlighted the long-standing issues of exclusion and marginalization faced by Africans.

"African populations over many centuries suffered exclusion and marginalization in their own land and continent. Acutely, we have been dispossessed of our identity as a people. We even became the mouthpiece of the global north because of the violence of dispossession, which was characterized in many ways during the pre-colonial period. In the post-modern and post-colonial times, some would argue that violence has become self-inflicted. There isn't enough time during the short speech to deal adequately with this, but we should think about these issues."

She called for a paradigm shift in the supportive relationship between government and civil society.

"It is one's hope that platforms such as the one created by this forum, and recognition after many years of dialogue will provide scope for a paradigm shift because the constituency that we serve and fight for are the same because of our difficult colonial past. As a continent, that this relationship will become mutually supportive, rather than, that one of them against us."

Dausab urged African leaders to find solutions to the continent's problems, emphasizing the importance of asking uncomfortable questions to address challenges such as unconstitutional gaining power, youth unemployment, exclusion, tribalism, discrimination and marginalization.

"The hopes of Pan African dreams of a United Africa are eroded because we sometimes lack historical prose. What we don't want is hopeless people, as some may argue, is already the case. People are confused about what their historical and cultural identity means for liberation. Are people unsure whether their identity as African is truly inclusive? And if it is not, what can we do differently? Because the Africa we want, and the agenda to 2063, and the Africa we liberated made the promises of freedom, justice, liberty, equality, dignity and shared prosperity. For All."

She expressed hope for meaningful engagement between the Pan-African Parliament and civil society, emphasizing the urgency of implementing Agenda 2063.
 

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Pan African Parliament

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Serafia Nadunya