PAP President Charumbira Calls for Global Parliamentary Solidarity to Promote Tolerance and Peace

President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has urged parliaments worldwide to embrace tolerance, dialogue, and collective action as tools to secure global peace and stability in an increasingly divided world.

Speaking at the 13th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) in N’Djamena, Chad, Chief Charumbira described tolerance as “a universal value under threat but essential for the survival of humanity.”

“Tolerance and peace are not mere philosophical ideals,” he said. “They are fundamental conditions for the survival of humanity, the stability of our societies, and the prosperity of our nations.”

Tolerance and Peace: Pillars of Human Coexistence

Chief Charumbira highlighted that contemporary global challenges such as armed conflicts, violent extremism, radicalization, cultural intolerance, and climate and digital crises, demand urgent recommitment to tolerance and peace.

He warned that hatred and division continue to erode social cohesion, urging legislators to uphold their duty as custodians of dialogue, inclusivity, and justice.

“Humanity sometimes seems to forget that our destiny is shared,” he said. “Parliaments must lead in fostering dialogue, social cohesion, and human dignity through laws and policies that promote tolerance.”

PAP’s Commitment to Global Tolerance and Peace

The Pan-African Parliament, Chief Charumbira said, stands in firm solidarity with the IPTP’s mission. Guided by the Protocol of the Pan-African Parliament and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, PAP champions peace, democracy, good governance, and respect for human rights as cornerstones of Africa’s integration and sustainable development.

He reaffirmed that PAP works with national and regional parliaments, civil society, and regional economic communities to:

• Encourage peaceful resolution of conflicts through political dialogue and parliamentary mediation;
• Promote domestication of African and international instruments on democracy and human rights;
• Strengthen oversight on resource governance to curb corruption and injustice; and
• Ensure the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in peace and reconciliation processes.

“The Pan-African Parliament is not just a legislative forum; it is a voice for the peoples of Africa and a guardian of their collective peace,” he affirmed.

Expanding the Frontiers of Tolerance

Chief Charumbira stressed that tolerance must evolve to address emerging challenges across new domains of human interaction. He identified four dimensions of modern tolerance:

1. Political Tolerance – Accepting diversity of opinions, protecting civic space, and empowering opposition voices;
2. Religious and Cultural Tolerance – Countering radicalism and identity-based division to build pluralistic societies;
3. Digital Tolerance – Legislating against online hate speech and promoting ethical governance of artificial intelligence and social media;
4. Environmental Tolerance – Advancing climate justice and intergenerational solidarity to safeguard the planet.

He cited PAP’s ongoing work on artificial intelligence governance and cybersecurity, noting that the Parliament recently resolved to develop a model law on AI governance in Africa, following a workshop and high-level deliberations at the Conference of Presidents.

Chad Commended for Leadership and Example

Commending the Republic of Chad for hosting the 13th Plenary Session, Chief Charumbira praised the country’s leadership for advancing peace through dialogue.

“Chad, under the leadership of H.E. Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, stands as a beacon of tolerance and reconciliation,” he said. “By hosting this meeting, Chad sends a powerful message that tolerance and dialogue are stronger weapons than violence.”

A Call for Global Parliamentary Partnership

Chief Charumbira called for stronger global parliamentary cooperation to sustain peace, defend multilateralism, and address inequalities.

“No country, no continent, can bear the burden of world peace alone,” he said. “Peace must be the result of collective effort.”

He encouraged parliaments to share best practices, support one another’s peace efforts, and reinforce parliamentary diplomacy as a complement to state diplomacy.

Conclusion: Tolerance as Strength, Peace as Duty

In his concluding remarks, Chief Charumbira reaffirmed that tolerance is an act of courage, not weakness.

“Peace is not utopia; it is the very condition of our future,” he declared.

He urged legislators to transform tolerance and peace from mere rhetoric into tangible laws and institutions serving humanity. Quoting John F. Kennedy, he concluded:

“World peace, like community peace, does not require that each man love his neighbor; it requires only that they live together with mutual tolerance, submitting their disputes to a just and peaceful settlement.”

Key Takeaway

The PAP President’s message in N’Djamena resonated as a clarion call for a new era of global parliamentary solidarity—one that anchors peace, inclusivity, and ethical governance at the heart of global policymaking.