Vice President Lucia Witbooi has called for stronger and more accountable parliaments in Africa.
 
She stated that the future of democracy on the continent depends on effective legislative institutions.
  
Witbooi was speaking during the official opening of the 90th Executive Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region at Swakopmund.
 
She said African parliaments must go beyond lawmaking and focus on oversight, fiscal accountability, and safeguarding constitutional order.
 
She stressed that democracy must be grounded in the rule of law, human rights, gender equality, and inclusive participation.
 
Witbooi said Namibia remains committed to constitutional governance and gender-balanced representation in leadership, urging delegates to use the meeting to strengthen cooperation and advance democratic values across the continent.
 
 
“We need to fix the 'democratic deficit' by making sure that our institutions are not only open and honest but also strong enough to resist corruption and outside interference. Indeed, these challenges require innovative thinking, strong leadership, and robust cooperation among all member parliaments—not challenges for Namibia alone but for all of Africa,” Witbooi emphasised.
 
 
 Speaker after speaker stressed the importance of institutions and their role as parliaments.
  
“We meet at a time when democratic institutions are closely watched and being tested; across our continent, parliaments are confronted with economic and physical stress, climate inputs, theological disruptions, youth unemployment, and demographics," Speaker of The Gambia’s Parliament, Fabakar Jatta, noted.
 
 
"Through the CPA, we seek to promote parliamentary access, strengthen democratic inclusion, and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices with our member branches. By doing so, we reinforce the core principles that underpin democratic governance, accountability, and transparency,” Speaker of Malawi’s Parliament Sameer Suleman highlighted.
 
 
“Commonwealth Association, our parliaments must stand firm in advancing regional priorities, championing African perceptions and shaping the African global with clarity and conviction in the near future,” Chairperson of Namibia’s National Council, Lukas Muha, added.
 
 
Malawi will be the host of the 91st Executive Committee Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Africa Region.