Banjul:<Text>
Second Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for stronger protection of human rights, democratic governance, and digital freedoms across Africa. She urged member states to take urgent action to address emerging security and governance challenges. She made these remarks during the opening of the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in Banjul on behalf of the President of the Pan-African Parliament, Fateh Boutbig.
According to Ghana Web, Agyeman-Rawlings highlighted the critical role women continue to play in peacebuilding and conflict prevention across the continent, describing them as key stabilising forces during times of crisis. She emphasised that women often serve as first responders, community stabilisers, and bridge-builders in times of crisis.
She also urged African Union member states to ratify the Malabo Convention, arguing that it would strengthen Afri ca's collective response to cybersecurity threats and improve digital sovereignty across the continent. Agyeman-Rawlings noted that in the era of rapid digitalisation, ratifying the Malabo Convention is essential to protect citizens online and strengthen Africa's cybersecurity architecture.
Agyeman-Rawlings further called for the ratification and domestication of model laws developed by the Pan-African Parliament. She explained that such measures would help harmonise legal systems and strengthen governance frameworks across Africa. She stressed that rapid digital transformation must be accompanied by robust legal protections, insisting that digital rights should be recognised as fundamental human rights.
She maintained that sustainable peace and security on the continent cannot depend solely on military interventions. Agyeman-Rawlings stated that sustainable peace and security cannot be achieved through military responses alone and emphasised the need to invest in strong in stitutions, constitutionalism, civic participation, and inclusive governance.
She concluded by calling for governance systems that ensure citizens feel represented and heard, stressing that Africa's future depends on building secure, inclusive, and rights-based societies driven by the collective aspirations of its people.
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