Commonwealth workshop forges links between government and opposition in West Africa

The Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association are organising a three day workshop on the relationship between government and opposition for Commonwealth West African countries, and Liberia, in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

The workshop which is being delivered in co-operation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the support of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will run from 16 to 18 June 2008 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The theme of the workshop is 'Government and Opposition: Roles, Rights and Responsibilities'. Participants will come from Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia.

“We aim to bring together representatives of governing parties, opposition parties and civil society from Commonwealth countries in West Africa, plus Liberia, to discuss their relationship with each other and their contribution to the democratic process – especially their role, rights and responsibilities,” said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba ahead of the workshop.

Mrs Masire-Mwamba said that “we hope that through an exchange of information, views, and expert knowledge participants will be able to distil current thinking on the subject, highlight examples of good practice and, after consideration of past and present experience, make practical proposals for future action.”

The workshop will explore issues on: the work of government; the work of the opposition; the challenge of leadership; political parties and elections; the role of parliament; accountability, as provided for by oversight institutions, the media and civil society; and the broader context, especially regarding gender and human rights.

It is organised in the context of the Commonwealth’s commitment to strengthening democratic values, processes and institutions. For the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association the key text concerning democracy is the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991 in which Heads of Government pledged “to work with renewed vigour for democracy, democratic processes and institutions which reflect national circumstances, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, just and honest government, and fundamental human rights”.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is the parliamentary arm of the Commonwealth. It too works for the fulfilment of the objectives of the Harare Declaration, through the promotion of good governance and strengthening of Parliament.

Secretariat Links:

• Country Profile: Nigeria
• Democracy