- The African Youth Parliament is pushing for the recognition of Somaliland as an independent state. The AYP with representation from 54 countries in Africa has already admitted Somaliland membership in its gathering.
In
a statement from the AYP after a visit in Somaliland late November, the
parliament stated: “The African Youth Parliament is a continental and
youth-led organization with representatives from (54) Sovereign Nations
in Africa with Somaliland coming on board as the 55th Member State.”
The
statement added: “Our visit to Somaliland does not imply that AYP has
visited a territory of its Member States but the reality on the ground
is that the Republic of Somaliland is standing its own feet.”
The
AYP further announced in the statement that they will be welcoming
membership from Asian states as it bids to get a global face.
“lt
may interest you to know that Asia is also coming on board as a
bilateral partner to African Youth Parliament and that explains the
engagements of AYP Ambassador to Asia here with us,” the statement read.
The
African Youth Parliament was founded in 2003 at a meeting convened in
Nairobi Kenya with the intent to work towards promoting and advocating
for youthful solutions to Africa’s fundamental challenges.
Key in
its objectives is to facilitate consultation, expression and action
among youths in Africa, foster the sharing of information and
interaction among youths at international levels, promote effective
youth participation for Nation building and to give impetus to and
support national and international solidarity by and for youths.
The
AYP also aims to contribute to the socio-economic integration of young
people and the promotion of entrepreneurial, educational, cultural,
sporting and civic values for a better Africa.
It further
contributes to youth representation in all local, national and
international meetings thereby promoting the culture of volunteerism,
humanitarian actions and sustainable development.
AYP said the
purpose of its visit was a strategic and assessment and advocacy on
information about the culture, democratic system and quintessential
leadership that is innate in the territory of the Republic of Somaliland
and which could be modelled as a prototype for leadership in the entire
African continent.
The delegation was made up of RT. Hon.
Bamikole Oladele Babs, Speaker of AYP from Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Melv in
Songwe Shuye the AYP Deputy Speaker in charge of Central Africa from
Cameroon, Hon. Oloja Olanrewaju the AYP Head of Project and Development
from Nigeria, Rt.hon. Omsalaina A.A.Mohamed AYP Deputy Speaker in-charge
of East Africa from the Republic Sudan, Hon. Abdirisak Yusuf Jama the
AYP Country Representative of the Republic of Somaliland and Ambassador
Diamond Lamichhane Security Adviser/AYP Ambassador to Asia.
BY ODINDO AYIEKO
Original:
No comments:
Post a Comment