In recognition of her immense contributions to issues of accountability, due process and the rule of law as well as avowed activism against official corruption and abuse of privileges, the founder of the EduShine Educational Foundation, Dr Safiya Stephanie Musa has been invited as one of the participants in the forthcoming global parliamentary action working against impunity in Africa.
The seminar which is being organised under the auspices of the Regional Working Group on the fight Against Impunity in Africa, has as its theme: “Promoting Accountability Mechanisms and Effective Implementation of the Rome Statue,” and is scheduled to hold in Banjul, The Gambia from 3-4 July 2019.
In the letter addressed to Dr Safiya and jointly signed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Gambia, Hon Mariam Jack-Denton and the President of Parliaments for Global Action who is also a member of Riksdag of Sweden, Mrs Margreta Cedernfelt they stated that the invitation was in the light of the international crimes Division’s work and expertise on matters of accountability for serious human rights violations. They therefore, look forward to meeting with the participants in Banjul and hope to work together to contribute to PGA’s vision for the creation of rule-based international order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world.
The participatory seminar which will be the first of its kind, joining the Working Groups in the Francophone Africa on the one hand and Anglophone Africa on the other hopes to create parliamentarian forum in the whole African continent to meet, discuss and exchange ideas on international criminal justice system.
Accordingly, the event will be co-hosted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Gambia and the Parliamentarians for global action, the largest parliamentary network with membership of some 1,300 from parliaments with a huge opportunity for collaboration among members.
Reacting to the invitation, Dr Safiya Stephanie Musa expressed delight at the recognition given to her for the modest contributions she has made to issues of good governance and campaign for women’s participation in development activities through her NGO, saying she will honour the invitation and participate actively in the deliberations.
“We hope to be actively involved in this global effort, because it will help us to further make contributions to the issues that have been of great concern to us.
“I personally feel that there’s no better opportunity to share ideas and interact with global stakeholders on issues of accountability, good governance and development including women’s active participation in development matters than this this parliamentary seminar. So, we will be there by the grace of God,” she stated.
Asked to state his views about the seminar, another social activist, Mallam Ibrahim Tahir described the event as timely in view of the growing levels of democratisation in Africa and the corresponding cases of impunity by some of the elected representatives.
“The need to emphasise on issues of accountability, good governance and campaign against impunity has made that event apt, and I’m happy that Dr Safiya will be there to harp on these issues, which she has been very active and passionate in articulating,” he said.
