The second Council Meeting of the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab world was held in Sana’a, Yemen upon the generous invitation of the Shoora Council of Yemen from Wednesday 9th to Thursday 10th of November 2005. The meeting was attended by delegates from the following Senates/Councils:
1. Senate of the Republic of Madagascar led by H.E. Rajemison Rakotomaharo, President of Senate.
2. National Council of Provinces in South Africa led by H.E. Abdul Hamid Gabier, Ambassador of South Africa in Saudi Arabia.
3. The Council of the Nation in Algeria led by H.E. Abdul Razaq Bou Hara, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Nation.
4. House of Counselors of Morocco led by H.E. Moustapha Oukasha, Chairman of the House of Counselors.
5. House of Chiefs of Botswana led by H.E. Kgosi Seepapitso, Chairman of the House of Chiefs.
6. House of the Federation of Ethiopia led by H.E. Degefe Bula, Speaker of the House of the Federation.
7. Al Ayan Council of Jordan led by H.E. Dr.Abdul Salam Al Magali, First deputy Chairman of Al Ayan Council.
8. Senate of Lesotho led by H.E. J.S. Lejaha, President of Senate.
9. National Council of Namibia led by H.E. Asser Kapere, Chairman of the National Council.
10. Senate of Nigeria led by H.E. Distinguished Senator Jonathan S. Zwingina, Deputy Senate Leader.
11. Shoora Council of Yemen led by H.E Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, Chairman of the Shoora Council, and the Chairman of the Association.
12. Shoora Council of Saudi Arabia led by H.E.Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Swailm, Member of the Shoora Council.
13. Shoora Council of Qatar led by H.E. Eissa Bin Ruba'a Al Kawari, Deputy Chairman of the Shoora Council.
14. Shoora Council in Egypt led by H.E. Mohammed Abdul Rahim Nafee, President of the Constitution's Affairs committee in the Shoora Council.
15. Shoora Council of Bahrain led by H.E. Mansour Hassan Bin Rajab, Second Deputy Chairman of the Shoora Council.
16. States' Council of Sudan led by H.E. Ali Yehya Bin Abdulah, President of the States' Council.
17. House of Counselors of Tunisia led by Said Nasser Ramadhan, Member of the House of Counselors.
18. State Council of Oman Sultanate represented by H.E. Abdulah Bin Hamad Al Badi, Ambassador of Oman in Yemen.
- The Senates that were absent with apology were the Senates in Burundi, Swaziland, Gabon and Mauritania.
 

The second Council Meeting of the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab world was held in Sana’a, Yemen upon the generous invitation of the Shoora Council of Yemen from Wednesday 9th to Thursday 10th of November 2005. The meeting was attended by delegates from the following Senates/Councils:
1. Senate of the Republic of Madagascar led by H.E. Rajemison Rakotomaharo, President of Senate.
2. National Council of Provinces in South Africa led by H.E. Abdul Hamid Gabier, Ambassador of South Africa in Saudi Arabia.
3. The Council of the Nation in Algeria led by H.E. Abdul Razaq Bou Hara, Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Nation.
4. House of Counselors of Morocco led by H.E. Moustapha Oukasha, Chairman of the House of Counselors.
5. House of Chiefs of Botswana led by H.E. Kgosi Seepapitso, Chairman of the House of Chiefs.
6. House of the Federation of Ethiopia led by H.E. Degefe Bula, Speaker of the House of the Federation.
7. Al Ayan Council of Jordan led by H.E. Dr.Abdul Salam Al Magali, First deputy Chairman of Al Ayan Council.
8. Senate of Lesotho led by H.E. J.S. Lejaha, President of Senate.
9. National Council of Namibia led by H.E. Asser Kapere, Chairman of the National Council.
10. Senate of Nigeria led by H.E. Distinguished Senator Jonathan S. Zwingina, Deputy Senate Leader.
11. Shoora Council of Yemen led by H.E Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, Chairman of the Shoora Council, and the Chairman of the Association.
12. Shoora Council of Saudi Arabia led by H.E.Abdul Rahman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Swailm, Member of the Shoora Council.
13. Shoora Council of Qatar led by H.E. Eissa Bin Ruba'a Al Kawari, Deputy Chairman of the Shoora Council.
14. Shoora Council in Egypt led by H.E. Mohammed Abdul Rahim Nafee, President of the Constitution's Affairs committee in the Shoora Council.
15. Shoora Council of Bahrain led by H.E. Mansour Hassan Bin Rajab, Second Deputy Chairman of the Shoora Council.
16. States' Council of Sudan led by H.E. Ali Yehya Bin Abdulah, President of the States' Council.
17. House of Counselors of Tunisia led by Said Nasser Ramadhan, Member of the House of Counselors.
18. State Council of Oman Sultanate represented by H.E. Abdulah Bin Hamad Al Badi, Ambassador of Oman in Yemen.
- The Senates that were absent with apology were the Senates in Burundi, Swaziland, Gabon and Mauritania.
 

The Council considered and approved the following activities outlined for the Association in 2006:
a) Study Visit Exchange Programme
First Quarter – (January - March)
In furtherance of Articles 33 and 37 of the Association’s Rules of Procedure which aim at promoting regular meetings among the members, to facilitate joint action, advance cooperation and exchange expertise as well as discuss issues of common interest within the national and international spheres, the Council considered and approved a Study Visit Exchange Programme, to be undertaken by the members of the Association during the first quarter of 2006.

The scheme is to enable member Senates and Councils to visit one another, on a scheduled programme, to share experiences and rub minds on parliamentary activities, the democratic environment and the structures in which they are operating.

In that way, it is believed that Members will appreciate more keenly the problems, advances and the needs of one another, be it in technical, professional and administrative areas. Eventually assistance will be rendered to the different Councils as required.
(b) Retreat for Members
Second Quarter (April – June)
The Council considered and approved the proposal for a retreat for Member Councils and Senates scheduled to take place between April and June 2006. The Secretariat was directed to liaise with member countries and complete arrangements for the retreat during the second quarter of 2006.
The purpose of the retreat is to bring Members together in a relaxed environment where, with the collaboration of experts in parliamentary studies and international relations, the Members will review their activities, attitudes, privileges and obligations as Statesmen and Parliamentarians at the apex level, in respect of national policy process. It will also be possible for Members to discuss the contribution of Parliaments to nation building, human rights and the constraints on socio-economic, political and cultural development of Africa and the Arab nations.

The retreat will be enjoined to deliberate on the practice and progress of democracy in the region and in conclusion seek ways to consolidate the position of ASSECAA as the voice of Africa and the Arab World during inter-regional dialogues and at the world Parliamentary forums.

(c) Workshop for Administrative Heads of Member Senates and Councils
Third Quarter (July - September)
The Council considered and approved the proposal for a workshop for administrative Heads of member Senates and Councils and resolved that the General Secretariat should liaise with member countries to determine venue and time for the workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to bring together the Heads of Administration in the member Senates and Councils to enable them to share experiences, expertise and enrich their working knowledge in the processing of legislative instruments and usages. The facilitators will lead the workshop to reflect deeply on the contribution of efficient administrative machinery and research to political leadership and the independence of the legislature.
 

7- Proposal from the House of Counselors of Morocco and the Shoora Council of Bahrain:

The council discussed the proposals submitted to enhance the Association's activities in 2006 and beyond as proposed by the House of Counselors of Morocco and the Shoora Council of Bahrain.
Their proposals reflect the ideas, and ambitions enunciated at the inauguration of the Association, and were keen on translating into demonstrable events the principles and aims for which the Association was established.
The proposals aimed at consolidating joint action and intensifying cooperation between the Africa and the Arab world in different fields of human endeavor, particularly the support of common values that member countries believe in. Among these values are the dissemination of the principles of democracy, reinforcing the rule of law, respecting cultural diversity, contributing to the spreading of bicameralism, supporting peaceful and democratic dialogues, promoting the status of Arab and African countries and keeping pace with the logic of regionalism unity and blocs whose rhythms are increasing to achieve more solid cooperation among nations. These intentions also look forward to eradicating the reason for tension, poverty and backwardness and contributing to the creation of security and peace in Africa, the Arab region and the rest of the world.
In order to achieve these objectives, the Association’s Council underlined the importance of promoting communication among member councils and increasing cooperation among them. The Council stressed that the General Secretariat should expedite action on the visit exchange programs, as well as other programs that encourage bilateral and multilateral meetings among member councils to enable them to discuss and coordinate positions.
The meeting called on member countries to provide possible facilities that would facilitate the implementation of these activities, where member councils bear the expenses for traveling while hosting countries bear the expenses for accommodation.
The Council approved, in principle, the ideas mentioned in the proposal submitted by the House of Counselors in Morocco and referred the proposals to the General Secretariat for extensive study and articulation of formula capable of implementing them, selecting a well – planned and applicable time-table.
The council called on the General Secretariat to coordinate between member Councils to enhance communication and visits between them, provided that the General Secretariat does not bear any charges related to the implementation of these programs.
 

8- Association's budget for 2006:

The Council approved the report of the Budget Committee on 2006 draft budget submitted by the Association's General Secretariat. The total value of the budget which the Council approved for the Association's personnel cost and activities in 2006 was $603,000.

9- Dates and venue for the Association's Conference and Council meeting for 2006-2007-2008:

The Council took notice of the desire of some member councils to host the Association's conference and council Meeting for 2006-2007-2008. The council approved that the Association's conference for 2006 be held in Bahrain and in South Africa in 2007 and to be held in Nigeria in 2008.

10- Mauritania's Membership:

The council took notice of the current political development in Mauritania, where a military putsch has led to the dissolution of the Senate in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
The Council considered the appeal submitted by the Association's Assistant Secretary–General from Mauritania. The paper indicated Mauritania's desire to keep its membership in the Association, pending the election of a new senate. The council approved the request.
 

11- New Members

The Council considered the application for membership by the States' Council of the Republic of Sudan and the Senate of the Republic of Congo Kinshasa. The Council approved the applications and welcomed the delegates of Sudan to the meeting. Delegates from Congo Kinshasa were regrettably absent and the delegates from the House of Counselors in Tunisia elected to report their observations to their Council before applying for membership. The Chairman urged the new members to be dedicated to the objectives and principles for which the Association was founded.

12-Institutional Development of the Association:

The meeting praised what has been achieved at the level of the Association's institutional structure as represented by firm establishment of the General Secretariat, the signing of the Headquarters Agreement with the Republic of Yemen and the efforts of the General Secretariat to join and be recognized by international organizations. It was also observed that the General Secretariat had striven commendably to translate the aims and principles on which the Association was founded into practical events and activities. The General Secretariat has endeavored to carry out the resolution of the conference of the Association and its Council. The Council observed that the fulfilling of financial obligations by members represents a strong encouragement in this regard. The Council urged the consolidation of the parliamentary diplomatic role being envisaged for the Association and the intensification of the Arab-African dialogue being demonstrated by the Association's regular meetings.

13-General Principles of the Association:

 The 2nd Council meeting reiterated its deep and abiding faith in democracy, respect for human rights, commitment to standards of good governance, based on national ideals away from any dictation or external imposition. The Council rejected any form of interference in the internal affairs of any country.
The meeting stressed that each country has the right to adopt the methodology it sees convenient for governance, without any external dictations, through its commitment to respect for freedom and fundamental rights of citizens. The Council insisted on the sovereignty of each country and its right to manage its affairs, without impinging on the rights of other countries. The Council rejected the hegemony policy, attempts to resort to foreign countries in the event of internal political disagreements, since it could lead to legitimizing foreign occupation.
The Association's Council, highlighting the principle of dialogue, as a civilization value which enables all countries, peoples and nations to resolve differences without recourse to violence, leading to the correct human path, reiterated its condemnation and rejection of all forms and images of terrorism, since it is an assault against human life, dignity and all high human values, inspired by religion and civilization. The Council stated that terrorism should not be linked to any religion, nation or culture and there should not be any confusion between terrorism and resistance to foreign occupation or other forms of national struggle aiming at liberation from colonialism as stipulated in the United Nations charter and the Human Rights Convention.
 

14- Terrorist Attack in Jordan

The Council learned with grief, the criminal attacks in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the 9th of November 2005. The council extended its heartfelt condolences to the Jordanian government and to the innocent victims' families and expressed its strong condemnation of these barbaric and heinous attacks that are targeting innocent people. The Council reasserted the urgent and the utmost need, for cooperation within the international community, to eradicate these terrorist phenomena, which targets humanity and the human civilization as a whole.
The Association's Council, having examined the painful results of the tragic conflicts and wars in the African and Arab region, looked forward to a more positive role to be played by the international community in contributing to put an end to these tragic events through a mission based on mutual respect, legitimacy, national sovereignty and the legitimate rights of people and nations to end all forms of foreign occupation and exploitation so as to achieve the aspirations of peace and stability.
The Council reiterated that of priority should be to work towards putting an end to the Palestinian people's suffering and allowing them to establish an independent state.
The Council also took note of the analysis presented by the General Secretariat of the Association on the situation in Iraq and the constant attacks targeting innocent people in different cities in Iraq. The Council condemned these killings no matter what was their origin or cause. It emphasized the importance of expediting the ending of foreign occupation of Iraq so that the Iraqis could manage their own affairs.
The Council thus commended the measures taken in the framework of the current democratic process in Iraq aiming at restoring peace based on national unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq.
The meeting welcomed with great enthusiasm the beginning of the restoration of peace in Sudan, which has embarked on a new positive era of development, with the national unity government, after a long era of conflict between the north and the south. The Council expressed hope that the peace environment would expand to cover the Darfur province thus safeguarding Sudan’s unity, security, stability, progress and prosperity.
The meeting called upon the international community to increase its efforts in conflict resolution. In this regard it appreciated the role of the African Union, and particularly that of IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority for Developments) to ensure the success of dialogue in Somalia, in order to restore peace and stability in that country, to re-launch the reconstruction of state institution and supporting them in carrying out their duties and responsibilities towards achieving the highest level of progress for the Somali people and ending their armed conflicts.
The Council observed with regret that poverty remains one of the main constraints faced by the developing countries, which include many of the Association's members. Poverty is still a key obstacle hindering the countries’ ambitions towards progress and development. Therefore, the Association’s Council called upon all member states to increase their efforts to address this challenge. It also called upon the international community and rich countries in particular to assume their responsibilities, intensify their cooperation through the forgiving of debts that constitute a burden for poor countries and help these countries to have access to science and technology which would enable them to achieve development, provide better life for their citizens, fight deadly diseases and reduce unemployment.
At the end of its meeting in the historic capital of Yemen, the Council of the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab world, expressed gratitude for the generous hospitality and warm welcome from the host country. The Council acknowledged the contributions of the Yemeni government, which provided the facilities and necessary equipment for the Association’s work. The Council thanked the Yemeni government for providing the office which houses the Association's General Secretariat to conduct the tasks entrusted to it and assume its responsibilities. The second meeting of the Association’s Council also thanked the Shoora council in the Yemeni Republic for the generous hospitality towards the participating delegations, thus leading to the success of the Council's meeting and reaching these decisions and recommendations.
The participants agreed to submit a letter of appreciation to His Excellency, Ali Abdulah Salih, the President of the Republic, to express their gratitude for the political will of the republic of Yemen, and for supporting this association in the achievement of the objectives it was set to realize.

The 2nd Council meeting of the Association of Senates,
Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab world.
Sana'a. 10 November 2005

Final communiqué of the first meeting of the council of the association of senates, Shoora and Equivalent councils in Africa and Arab World.

Issued in Sana`a – Republic of Yemen.
29-Sep-2004.
 

THE FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SENATES, SHOORA AND EQUIVALENT COUNCILS IN AFRICA AND THE ARAB WORLD.
SANA’A 25- 27 APRIL 2004

    In line with the rules of the Charter of the Association of Senates, Shoora And Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World. And in continuation of the efforts aimed at realizing the objectives of the Association, represented in supporting the Bicameralism and enhancing cooperation among Association’s peoples and continuing the coordination and integral efforts of Arab, African and Islamic parliamentary Unions, and contributing in the activities of the Arab Parliamentary Union and the African, Islamic and International Union. And by an honorable invitation extended from the Shoora Council in the Republic of Yemen: The first Conference of the Association of Senates, Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World was held in Sana’a, during the period 25- 27 of April 2004, with the attendance of delegations representing eighteen Councils as follows:
 

And with the participation of three delegations representing:
1- The French Senate.
2- The General Secretariat of the Arab Parliamentary Union.
3- The General Secretariat of the Shoora Council for the Arab Maghrib Union.

The Conference was honored by the attendance of His Excellency President of the Republic of Yemen/Ali Abdullah Saleh, under whose patronage the Conference was held, and who inaugurated the works of the Conference by an important and historical speech in which he expressed his happiness in attending the opening ceremony of the Conference and welcomed the participants in the historical city of Sana’a/the Arab Culture Capital, which embraced earlier the Inter-Governmental Regional Conference on Democracy, Human Rights and the Role of the International Criminal Court.
His Excellency concluded his speech by wishing the participants to would come up with positive and active results which would satisfy the needs of the peoples of the member States.
The Speaker of the Yemeni Shoora Council/Chairman of the Conference then delivered a speech in which he greeted his predecessor/Mr. Mustafa Oukasha/the Speaker of the Moroccan Consultative Council for his fruitful efforts in steering the Association during the last period.
Then, Mr. Mustafa Aukasha/the speaker of the Moroccan Consultative Council/chairman of the previous session delivered
a speech in which he expressed his confidence in the ability of the current Chairman in administering the works of the Association.

The Conference discussed the following issues:

1- Discussing the Association’s draft Rules of procedures.
2- A working paper entitled Bicameralism as an ideal choice for expanding the peoples’ participation in the decision-making process and implementation thereof.
3- A working paper on the Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations: their role in the development of democracy.
• The Conference expressed its deep appreciation to H.E. President of the Republic of Yemen/Ali Abdullah Saleh who has patronaged this Conference and has shown keen interest to attend the opening session thereof, and who delivered an important speech which the Conference has taken a Resolution that it be considered as a Document of the Conference due to its valuable contents as well as significant and tremendous meanings.
• The Conference has resolved that the Capital of the Republic of Yemen “Sana’a” to be taken as the Permanent Headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Association, and the Conference has highly appreciate the honorable grant of His Excellency President Ali Abdullah Saleh in offering a building in the name of the Republic of Yemen for the General Secretariat of the Association.
• The Conference unanimously approved the Rules of procedures of the Association in the meeting of the Heads of delegations.
• The Senates, the Shoora and Equivalent Councils in Africa and the Arab World included in the membership of the Association have undertaken to abide by implementing the Resolutions and the Recommendations of the Conference; and in contributing in deepening democratic values in their respective countries and transfer them to reality.
• The Conference is committed to cooperate with the Regional and International Parliamentary Organizations to enhance democracy and public freedoms and to support of the just and fair issues of the African and Arab peoples, top of which is the Palestinian cause. The Conference declares its absolute denouncement for the brutal Israeli practices, the cleansing campaigns, the oppressive and detention acts and the demolishing of the houses on the heads of their tenants in Gaza and the West Bank. The Conference, too, declares its solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle for achieving their specific and legal objectives represented in self-determination and the establishment of an Independent Palestinian State with Al-Qods as its Capital. Within this framework, the Conference expresses its full support for all exerted efforts for achieving just, fair and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, in accordance with the International Security Council Resolutions as well as the United Nations General Assembly Resolutions.
• The Conference confirms its full support for the exerted efforts and political initiatives at speeding up the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the Iraqi territories and to be replaced by forces under the supervision of the United Nations; and to hand over the authority to the Iraqi people in accordance with the measures and mechanism that will be agreed upon. The Conference highly appraised, in this regard, the Yemeni initiative aiming at stopping the bloodshed, securing the unity of the Iraqi territories, and forming a National Assembly representing all sects and national Iraq powers, and holding General Elections guaranteed in its legality; the refusal of establishing any political parties based on race, religion or sectarianism which secure the establishment of and Iraqi, democratic, independent and unified national State.
• The Conference declares its support for the international efforts of peaceful solutions of conflicts in order to eliminate the aggravated tension in a number of spots of conflicts in the African continent.

In the field of Democracy, Human Rights and the Role of Civil Society: the Committee has reached the following Recommendations.
- The Conference confirms the extreme importance that the Councils of Senates, Shoora and the Equivalent Councils of the Associations members to contribute in working for deepening the democratic process and enhancing human rights, as well as to play pioneering role in encouraging abidance by essential criteria for the good governance: through concentration on building the civil and administrative capacities and enhancement of the parliamentary supervision, in addition to supporting the current initiative of participating in decision-making and adopting active measures for fighting the phenomena of disfiguring the public performance and supporting orientations related to judicial reforms with a view to achieving its independence.
- The Conference confirms the necessity of the role of the civil society organization in strengthening the peoples’ participation in the political and development process and deepining democratic values and human rights in our societies.
- The Conference confirms the importance to adapt suitable legal atmosphere for the establishment of civil societies and to assist them in enhancing their role in the democratic development process.
- The Conference confirms the importance of enhancing the role of women and their participation in the political and social process, and protecting them form all forms exploitation or to weaken their rights.
- The Conference discussed the Paper regarding the Bicameralism System presented to the Conference from the Republic of Yemen, and found that the Paper is suitable because it has clarified all that should be clarified as regards the Bicameralism System. In this regard, the Conference confirms its support for the Bicameralism System since it is an ideal choice for expanding the peoples’ participation in the decision-making process. The Conference also encourages the interested States to take this System due to its characteristics and capacity to absorb the people’s requirements and the active society potentials in the legislative powers.
- The Conference responded, thankfully and graciously, to the Republic of Namibia’s invitation to host the next Conference of the Association, and confirms its positive response for this honorable invitation at the time to be agreed upon with the General Secretariat.
¬
At the end of the final session his Excellency the Speaker of the Yemeni Shoora Council/Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani/the Chairman of the Association, delivered a speech in which he thanked the Heads and members of the participating delegations for all that they have presented as well as the constructive and frank discussions in making the works of this round a success: thanking his colleagues and members of delegations for bearing the trouble of traveling to attend and participate in the success of the first round of the Association.

Issued in Sana’a
On 27 April 2004.
 

2006 RETREAT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SENATES, SHOORA AND EQUIVALENT COUNCILS IN AFRICA AND THE ARAB WORLD, HELD IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

 5^TH – 6^TH JUNE 2006

COMMUNIQUE

1.        The 2006 ASSECAA Retreat was held in Abuja Nigeria from 5^th – 6^th June, 2006.  Delegates from the following ASSECAA member countries attended: 

(a)   Algeria

(b)  Bahrain

(c)  Burundi

(d)  Egypt

(e)   Ethiopia

(f)    Gabon

(g)  Jordan

(h)  Morocco

(i)     Nigeria

(j)     Qatar

(k)  Saudi Arabia

(l)     South Africa

(m) Sudan

(n) Yemen 

The Retreat was inaugurated by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR). 

Welcome addresses were delivered by the following:

(a) the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, Distinguished Senator Jonathan Silas Zwingina

 (b)  the Secretary-General of ASSECAA, Mr. Livinus I. Osuji

(c) the President of the Senate of Nigeria, H.E Senator Ken Nnamani

(d) the Chairman of ASSECCA, and Speaker of the Shoora Council of the Republic of Yemen, His Excellency, Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani.

2. The Heads of Delegations in their speeches reaffirmed their commitment to the fundamental aims and objectives of the Association as conceptualized by the founding fathers.  The Delegates unanimously endorsed ASSECAA as a platform for the cross-fertilization of ideas on the deepening of the awareness of democratic norms, encouraging bicameralism and parliamentary democracy and stimulating cooperation in political, economic, social and cultural dimensions between Africans and the Arab World.

3. A total of five (5) papers were presented as follows:

Paper I – “The Contribution of the Legislature in Modern World Diplomatic and Political Order to create Universal Peace”.

 Paper II – “The Role of the Legislature in Foreign Policy Process to Enhance International Trade and Economic Cooperation”.

Paper III – “The Legislature as a Vehicle of Change in Socio-Economic, Political and Cultural Behaviour”.

Paper IV – “Culture, Communication and Relationships:  An Exploration of Effective Cultural Diversity Management Imperatives in Regional Integration”.

Paper V – “The Role of the Legislature in Strengthening the Rule of Law, Institutional Building, Economic Development and Democratic Principles”.

4. These papers were extensively discussed and debated by delegates.  The following resolutions, based on the papers and the contributions of delegates were made:

(i)                Global effort to maintain international peace and security must contend with three major challenges, namely;

(a)   the phenomenon of globalization;

(b)  the question of international political decision-making;

(c)  the problem of corruption.

When there is internal peace in all member states of the international community, there is bound to be international peace.

(ii)              In the light of the achievements of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in which ASSECAA is now an observer, there is need for more states to affiliate themselves to IPU as the best plausible avenue for participating effectively in the global project of actualizing universal peace.

(iii)            African Parliamentarians should adopt the following African economic initiatives; the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation in Africa (CSSDCA).

(iv)            It was a general consensus of the delegates that the issues in globalization must be critically re-examined.

(v)              It was also recognized that within Africa and the Arab World, there is need to strive for educational, social and cultural reforms and developments through identifying, analyzing and appreciating the impediments to such reforms.

(vi)            It was a general consensus of delegates that with the achievement of educational goals in Africa and the Arab World, the parliaments will be able to crystallize strategies towards removing impediments to educational, social and cultural reforms.

(vii)          It was agreed that ASSECAA should play a pivotal role in stimulating foreign relations and economic cooperation amongst its member states.

(viii)        Delegates also agreed that the role of the legislature in Africa and the Arab World is very crucial in fostering development due to the inter-relationship of the legislature with the executive and judiciary through law-making processes and their effective implementation.  Accordingly, it was emphasized that ASSECAA legislatures must develop adequate structures for effective performance of these roles.

(ix)            Delegates also agreed that regional integration presupposes communication among national groupings with disparate cultures and world views.  For regional integration to become a reality, architects of the effort must become aware of the cultural baggage they bring to the table.  They must deal with those culture-bound inertia, which present unique challenges to group dynamics.  Their various interests must be properly harnessed and managed for effective group cohesion to eschew unhealthy inter-group conflict and competition.

(x)              Delegates also emphasized the importance of the supervisory and oversight functions of the legislatures in ensuring the effective and transparent implementation of laws and resolutions passed by the legislatures.

(xi)            The Association:

(a)   noted that a durable peace effort has been started in the Republic of Sudan;

(b)  expressed solidarity with the African Union initiative to resolve the long and costly conflict in Sudan;

(c)  urged Africans and Arabs, wherever they live together to respect one another’s culture and rights and pursue honest means of livelihood;

(d)  called upon the IMF, Paris Club and other creditor countries and Associations to understand the hard economic conditions of some African and Arab debtor countries;

(e)   resolved to exert influence on African and Arab governments to contribute substantially to the recovery of the Sudan nation and the establishment of lasting peace in the country;

(xii)          The Association regretted the worsening political situation in Somalia and urged all parties to the conflict to eschew bitterness and contribute to the restoration of peace in the country;

(xiii)        The Association noted with regret the continuing conflict in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East, particularly between Palestine and Israel and urged all parties to the conflict to respect the United Nations resolutions and ensure a speedy resolution of the conflict.

(xiv)       Delegates would want to place on record their sincere and profound gratitude to the following:

(a)   the Government and people of Yemen for hosting ASSECAA’s headquarters and for the their continuing efforts to support the Association;

(b)  the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for hosting this Retreat;

(c)  the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, its President and other Principal Officers for the generous hospitality extended to ASSECAA delegates to the Retreat;

(d)  His Excellency, Abdul Aziz Abdul Ghani, Speaker of the Shoora Council of the Republic of Yemen and the Chairman of ASSECAA for his able leadership of the Association and

(e)   The Secretary General of ASSECAA and his staff for ably piloting the affairs of ASSECAA and the Local Organizing Committee for the preparation and organization of this Retreat.

4.  The Retreat adjourned sine die on 6^th June 2006 at 5.10 pm.

The General Secretariat

Association of Senates,

Shoora and Equivalent Councils

in Africa and the Arab World

6^th June 2006