Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, the Gambia)- Calls for bold, united action on climate change rang out in Banjul as African parliamentary leaders warned that rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation are driving poverty, displacement, and instability across the continent.
Speaking at the 54th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Conference, Rt. Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara, Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi, did not hold back on the urgency of the crisis.
“Climate change continues to impact African communities, from devastating droughts and floods to food insecurity and displacement,” she said. “Parliaments must be more than debating chambers, they must be true agents of resilience and democratic consolidation.”
Hara stressed that the legislative arm of government is uniquely placed to push through forward-looking laws and policies that safeguard livelihoods, promote environmental sustainability, and build communities’ ability to adapt to a changing climate.
Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Speaker of The Gambia’s National Assembly and President of the CPA Africa Region, backed her concerns, calling climate change “the defining crisis of our era.” He warned that Africa’s economic and political vulnerabilities are being compounded by environmental shocks.
“In The Gambia, we see the impacts every day, from coastal erosion eating away at our shorelines to unpredictable weather patterns that threaten food security,” Jatta said. “The time for ceremonial debates is over. We must enact progressive legislation, strengthen disaster preparedness, and champion sustainable environmental practices.”
The conference theme, “Strengthening Democratic Governance and Resilience in Africa: Tackling Conflicts, Economic Shocks, and Climate Risks” reflects the interconnected nature of the continent’s challenges.
Delegates agree that climate change is not an isolated issue but one that worsens other crises, including political instability, economic downturns, and social unrest.
As the week-long gathering continues in Banjul, lawmakers from across Africa are expected to draft recommendations and share best practices on how parliaments can lead the fight against climate change while also addressing conflict and economic resilience.
With Africa on the frontlines of climate impacts, the message from Banjul is clear: the continent’s survival depends on the courage, decisiveness, and unity of its lawmakers.
