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{
    "id": 844017,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/844017/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 312,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Omogeni",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13219,
        "legal_name": "Erick Okong'o Mogeni",
        "slug": "erick-okongo-mogeni"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I also rise to support the initiative by the FP-ICGLR although I support this report with a few reservations. Madam Temporary Speaker, there is no doubt that the 12 member States that comprise membership to this FP-ICGLR share a number of common problems. When we form a conference of this stature, we expect that it will create an avenue and opportunity for us to tackle some of these problems that may not be tackled by people who live in some of those individual countries. I make a fair criticism on this report that we have just scratched the surface. We have not gone into the depth of the problems. To begin with, part of the objectives and vision that was to be addressed by the FP-ICGLR was to deal with issues of democracy and good governance within the region to make it possible that in this 12 member States, we shall have accession to power through free, periodic elections. However, that is not what we are seeing. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we have seen a scenario where elections have been postponed year in, year out. In Southern Sudan, we have not had a credible election. The last time I heard about elections in that country was when there was a decree by a President suspending any elections. This report does not bring forth these issues so that when it is tabled, we can debate them and remind our brothers in Southern Sudan and DRC that they should learn from the examples of what happens in Zambia and South Africa (SA) where there is periodic, free, fair and transparent elections. Madam Temporary Speaker, I hope that our friends who represented us in that Conference will be bold enough in future to address the issues that are inflicting these12 member States. Madam Temporary Speaker, we will never achieve the dream of Africans if we do not openly discuss the problems that face Africa and more so the 12 nations that are represented in this Conference. If we allow - and I am saying this without any fear of contradiction -the level of corruption and bad governance that is happening in these12 member States to continue, we will never achieve the dream of having the Trans-African Highway that is supposed to run all the way from Mombasa to Lagos. So, when we attend a Conference like this, it gives us an opportunity to have a scorecard on how we are performing as a region and individual member State. When we talk about issues of democracy, good governance and human rights, I agree fully with what my learned senior, Sen. Orengo, has said about what is happening in Uganda. As we speak, a young Member of Parliament is in the United States of America (USA) receiving treatment because of the brutality that was vested upon him by The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate.  "
}