Ethiopian and South African parliaments vowed to continue working together to strengthen relations.
South African parliamentary delegation is in Ethiopia for exchange of experiences with its Ethiopian counterpart.
The members are expected to have views and experiences regarding the overall operation procedures including on political consultation within the House of Peoples’ Representative of Ethiopia and formula for arranging the number and order of members to participate in debates and discussion in Whippery activities including its coordination.
Government Deputy Whip, Professor Mihretu Shanko said Ethiopia and South Africa have enjoyed long-standing and cordial bilateral ties in multifaceted spheres.
To this end, the experience sharing between the two parliaments will play a crucial role on the enhancement of relations as well as build the confidence among each other, he elaborated.
The professor added that “I think the more we can do together; we can strengthen and ensure continue to work together. We can also share our best experiences.”
Noting Ethiopia is a country with brave history and bright future he said, adding the country is committed to learn from the best practice of South Africa and share its experience.
Chairperson of the Whips Forum and also Chief Whip of the Kwazulu Natal Legislature of South Africa, James Nxumalo said we are in Ethiopia on the benchmarking exercise.
“We want to learn how the government here in Ethiopia manages its government affairs in terms of managing the debates of Parliament, the consultation between political parties in terms of coming up with an agenda that is going to be discussed in parliament, how they manage their motions, among others,” he stated.
As we are in the legislature, our interest is also in lawmaking, the ones who are actually formulating bills or laws, he said, adding we are here to learn about how Parliament here in Ethiopia plays their oversight.
There is a long history of friendship between Ethiopia and South Africa “we are here also to harmonize and consolidate those relationships between our two countries,” he added.
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Oversight, Thulani Vincent Xulu said on his part such visit would contribute to strengthen the relations between the parliaments.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
