Secretary General of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), Amb. Dapo Oyewole, has said the African continent can no longer be a bystander under the new world order.

The CoSPAL scribe, who spoke while delivering his last speech as a resident Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at an expert forum organised by the Bertelsmann Foundation in Berlin, Germany recently on the topic ‘Strengthening Democracy & Good Governance in Africa in a Changing World Order’, emphasised that African leaders must work together to strengthen democratic governance and make it more people-oriented.

Oyewole said African leaders must be proactive to build a virile economy to drive inclusive growth and development.

He said the world order is evolving; new economic and political alliances are emerging, governance models are being tested, and nations are redefining their roles and alliances on the global stage.
He insisted that Africa cannot afford to be a bystander, a puppet, or merely reactive as it must be proactive in ensuring that governance is not just a concept but a lived experience that delivers development, justice, and inclusive opportunities for the people.

Oyewole however lauded the developments in Namibia and Senegal, the two African countries where the political systems had enthroned women and a young male leader to preside over the affairs of these countries.

Beyond holding elections, however, the CoSPAL Secretary General said that job creation, security, justice, dignity, and human rights must be the defining factors of an improved democratic rule in Africa.

He stated that despite the myriad of challenges in the continent, Africa is witnessing an exciting and transformative time with two women leading the Republic of Namibia as President and Vice President and a young leader Faye Bassirou Diomaye Faye not from an influential political background or backed by political kingmakers democratically elected and sworn in as the President of Senegal.
He acknowledged that across the continent, there is an increasing demand for transparent, accountable, and effective leadership.

However, he added the real test of democracy is not just in holding elections, but in building democracies that are authentic and responsive in delivering jobs, security, justice, dignity, human rights, and development for our people.

Oyewole added that the future of Africa lies in the hands of its leaders who he said must be competent, efficient, responsive, and strategic to drive the necessary change.

“Africa’s future lies not in the hands of the West or the East; it lies in the hands of Africa and its leaders. The decisions made now will shape the decades ahead. It thus goes without saying that the continent’s future depends on it having leadership that serves, not leadership that rules; leadership based on competence and capacity, not leadership based on connections, cash, or affiliations,” he said.

“Africa needs leadership that can capably address the challenges of our times while also shaping a great and achievable vision for our future. Our prospects, for weathering the current geo-political climes, start and end with leadership.

“As I conclude my tenure as a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin, this rich discussion at the Bertelsmann Stiftung offered an opportunity to reaffirm my commitment as the Secretary-General of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) to work with all our leaders, allies and partners in strengthening legislative institutions across Africa to safeguard our democratic values, uphold the rule of law, protect fundamental rights, and ensure Africa’s parliamentary leaders build effective and responsive legislatures, so we can have strong and truly representative democracies that deliver development and human security for our people.”