The Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, officially presided over the opening of the 90th Executive Committee (EXCO) Meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region. 

The high-level gathering, held in the coastal city of Swakopmund, serves as a premier platform for advancing parliamentary democracy, good governance, and inter-legislative cooperation across the continent.

In her remarks, Vice President Witbooi, emphasized that the CPA must remain a bulwark of democracy by upholding the core pillars of the Commonwealth, including constitutional governance, the separation of powers, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.

The deliberations and strategic decisions made here will shape regional priorities, influence capacity-building, and guide governance reforms. These actions directly impact critical issues such as fiscal oversight, institutional reform, gender inclusion, and digital transformation, the Vice President said.

She further noted that the EXCO is central to providing the strategic direction necessary to foster deeper cooperation among member parliaments.

Echoing these sentiments, the President of the CPA Africa Region and Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi, Hon. Sameer Suleman, addressed the assembly by highlighting the intricate nature of the challenges facing the continent.
Across Africa, our nations are grappling with issues such as food insecurity, economic instability, and the rapid pace of technological transformation, Hon. Suleman remarked. He stressed that these challenges demand that Parliaments play an active role in shaping policies that promote social stability and sustainable development.

For his part, the Chairperson of the CPA Africa Region and Speaker of the National Assembly of The Gambia, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, declared that recent legal reforms have ushered in a "new era of sovereign equality" for African parliaments. He challenged delegates to transform their respective legislatures into "anticipatory" bodies proactive institutions capable of navigating modern global complexities such as climate change and economic volatility.

In the same vein, the Regional Representative for Southern Africa and Chairperson of Namibia National Council, Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha, urged delegates to leverage "parliamentary diplomacy" to ensure Africa voice remains dominant and influential in global reform agendas.

The opening ceremony concluded with a unified message from the leadership: a vision of an Africa ready to lead through ethical governance, rigorous accountability, and a shared legislative identity. The 90th EXCO meeting continues to deliberate on strategies that will define the continents democratic trajectory for the coming years.