The Honourable Speaker of The Gambia’s National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has issued a stirring appeal to African legislatures, urging them to take a more proactive role in driving the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Speaking at the Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments held at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) headquarters in Midrand, Jatta described the continental blueprint as a “solemn intergenerational covenant” that must be honored by all member states.
“For this covenant to be honored, National Parliaments must transition from being passive observers to becoming the proactive engines of continental transformation,” he declared.
Jatta emphasised that the success of Agenda 2063 the AU’s long-term vision for “The Africa We Want” depends on parliaments translating high-level commitments into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens.
Drawing on The Gambia’s experience, he explained how the country’s National Development Aspirations are strategically aligned with Agenda 2063.
He noted that the National Assembly, through its legislative and oversight functions, is actively contributing to the realization of shared continental goals.
To accelerate progress, Jatta urged his counterparts to take concrete legislative actions. He called for the swift ratification and domestication of AU treaties and protocols into national legal frameworks.
He also stressed the importance of prioritizing national budgets to fund Agenda 2063 flagship projects, particularly in infrastructure development, youth empowerment, and gender equity.
His remarks underscore a growing consensus that African parliaments must move beyond ceremonial roles and become central actors in shaping the continent’s future.
