The inter Parliamentary Union(IPU) is looking to develop new ways to fight and contain terrorism.
Acknowledging that terrorism is not limited to any one religion, nationality or ethnic group, the MPs have expressed concern at the on-going threat terrorism poses to international peace and security.
According to East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Speaker Daniel Kidega, the legislators meeting at a recent IPU conference highlighted the need for attention to be paid to civilians, in particular women and girls, in countries where militia organizations like Boko Haram, Alshabaab and Islamic State are active.
This comes in the wake of renewed terror threats on the region with the latest attack claiming the lives of 147 students of Garissa University.
In Uganda, security has been tightened along all major highways following reports of a looming terror attack on schools along the Jinja highway.
The East African Legislative Assembly has pledged commitment to ensuring that Sustainable Development Goals are achieved.
According to the, legislators played a pivotal role in pushing for implementation and monitoring of Millennium Development Goals.
Kidega now urges all parliamentarians to focus on a number of priorities for the post 2015 development agenda including fighting inequalities, ending poverty, as well as a variety of social, economic and environmental development issues.
Addressing the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly on Wednesday, the Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Daniel Kidega urged Parliaments to focus on a number of priorities for the post 2015 development agenda including fighting inequalities, ending poverty, as well as a variety of social, economic and environmental development issues.
He noted that the globe could have fared better had legislators turned their guns on monitoring MDGs.
“One of the reasons the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were not fully realized, is pointed to ineffective Parliamentary action”, Rt. Hon Kidega said.
“I can guarantee you that the fate of the SDGs will be equally sealed if Parliaments do not enact their own action plans by which they should ensure that relevant laws are enacted to compel the Executive to act”, he added.
The EALA Speaker assured the delegates of the Assembly’s commitment in ensuring SDGs are arrived at.
“On our part, at regional level, we commit to hold Partner States accountable as well. We commit to enhancing our oversight role in this dispensation. For example, on legislation, we shall ascertain the level of enactment of laws in the areas on SDGs by the Partner States as well as sensitisation and allocation of budgets for the effective implementation of laws”, Rt Hon Kidega said.
He added that EALA would also undertake keen research and advocacy on the status of preparedness of the region with regards to implementing Sustainable Development Goals.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a proposed set of targets relating to future international development.
They are to replace the Millennium Development Goals once they expire at the end of 2015.
Story by Catherine Ageno
