The ceremony marking the opening of the 10th legislative session of the Guinean National Assembly was attended by several foreign delegations, including one from the Republic of Senegal. El Malick NDiaye, First Vice-President of the Senegalese National Assembly, spoke on behalf of the Assembly and its President, Ousmane Sonko. He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended to the Senegalese delegation and highlighted the depth of relations between the two countries.
NDiaye emphasized that the relationship between Senegal and Guinea goes beyond geographical proximity, describing it as a "community of destiny" forged by history and nurtured by the closeness of their peoples. He stressed the importance of parliamentary cooperation, suggesting that lawmakers from both countries should engage in regular exchanges, share experiences, and collaborate on common concerns. This cooperation, he believes, is essential for effective parliamentary diplomacy in Africa.
The Senegalese parliamentarian also discussed the issue of African integration, arguing that it should not be limited to summits between leaders or treaties signed between states. Instead, integration should be reflected in the daily lives of citizens, influencing laws, budgets, and public policies. He called on parliamentarians to evaluate their actions based on their impact on citizens, emphasizing that producing laws should not be an end in itself but rather a means to improve the lives of citizens.
NDiaye urged African parliaments to strengthen their oversight of government actions, particularly by assessing the results achieved. He advocated for a shift from political control to performance control, suggesting that this would enable parliaments to better evaluate the effectiveness of government policies. He also called for more regular follow-up of responses provided by government members to concerns raised by lawmakers.
The parliamentarian highlighted the strong ties between the Senegalese and Guinean peoples, noting that a shared border connects the two countries and that many families, businesses, and educational institutions span both sides of the border. He emphasized the importance of respecting each country's laws while promoting fraternity and cooperation. NDiaye encouraged parliamentarians to play a preventive role in addressing potential issues before they escalate and damage relations between the two nations.
In his address, NDiaye also emphasized the need to give concrete meaning to pan-Africanism and continental sovereignty. He stated that his generation has a particular responsibility to translate pan-Africanism from a hope into action. He concluded by expressing his wishes for the success of the new Guinean legislature and reaffirming Senegal's commitment to strengthening cooperation between the two parliamentary institutions.
NDiaye's visit and speech reflect the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Senegal and Guinea. His call for enhanced parliamentary cooperation and integration is seen as a positive step towards fostering greater collaboration and understanding between the two nations. The speech was well-received by the Guinean delegation, and it is expected that the two countries will continue to work together to promote regional stability and cooperation.
Key points
- El Malick NDiaye calls for stronger parliamentary cooperation between Senegal and Guinea to promote regional stability and cooperation.
- NDiaye emphasizes the need for African integration to be reflected in the daily lives of citizens, influencing laws, budgets, and public policies.
- The parliamentarian urges African parliaments to strengthen their oversight of government actions, particularly by assessing the results achieved.
