Secretary-General of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), Ambassador ‘Dapo Oyewole, has charged African leaders to work collectively in strengthening democratic governance that is inclusive, responsive, and development-oriented.
Delivering his valedictory address as a resident Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at an expert forum hosted by the Bertelsmann Foundation in Berlin, Germany, Oyewole spoke on the theme “Strengthening Democracy & Good Governance in Africa in a Changing World Order.”
He emphasized that Africa must position itself as an active player in the evolving global order rather than a passive observer.
“Indeed, 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. In this reality, Africa cannot afford to be a bystander, a puppet or merely reactive. We must be proactive and strategic architects of our democratic future, ensuring that governance is not just a concept but a lived experience that delivers development, justice, and inclusive opportunities for the people,” he said.
Highlighting recent developments, Oyewole praised democratic strides in countries like Namibia and Senegal, where women and young leaders are emerging at the helm of national leadership.
“Despite our myriad challenges on the continent, we are also witnessing an exciting and transformative time. For example, two women now lead the Republic of Namibia as President and Vice President, and a young leader not from an influential political background or backed by political kingmakers was democratically elected and sworn in as the President of Senegal,” he noted.
Beyond electoral processes, Oyewole asserted that democracy must be evaluated based on its ability to deliver jobs, security, justice, dignity, and respect for human rights.
“The real test of democracy is not just in holding elections, it is in building systems that are authentic and responsive,” he added.
He stressed that Africa’s future rests in the hands of its leaders, not foreign powers, and called for competent, visionary, and servant-style leadership.
“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,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, Oyewole reaffirmed his commitment to supporting legislative institutions across Africa in upholding democratic values and human rights.
“As I conclude my tenure as a Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow at the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin, this rich discussion offered an opportunity to reaffirm my commitment as CoSPAL Secretary-General to work with all our leaders, allies, and partners in strengthening legislative institutions across Africa, so we can build strong and truly representative democracies that deliver development and human security for our people,” he stated.
