African Charter

African leaders have been asked to ratify the African charter on democracy elections and governance. This as heads of parliaments from French speaking African countries Friday closed a two-day conference in Kigali.

So far fifteen member states have ratified it, including Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria and Cameroon who were the 13^th, 14^th and 15^th countries to ratify the Charter.

The Charter was adopted by the African Union five years ago and states the continent’s aspirations in promoting good governance and a democratic culture, where the voice of the people is enabled and respected.

Head of the francophone parliamentary assembly Roque Christian Kabole says they are to closely work with the Africa Union to ensure democracy prevails on the African continent and also ensure there is no foreign intervention and manipulations in African politics.

The legislators are to make a follow up on how the charter is being ratified on the continent at the next French speaking African heads of states summit due to take place in May in Cotounou Benin. Earlier Parliamentarians from the francophone grouping in Africa were asked to formulate concrete measures to deal with political violence resulting from rigged polls.

The Rwanda head of the chamber of deputies Rose Mukantabana said violence resulting from rigged elections is most rampant in several African countries including those from the francophone grouping and poses a huge challenge.

Africa is many times criticized for poor democratic norms and leaders are accused of staying in power for long.