By Suleman Chitera

LILONGWE, Malawi — Speaker of the Parliament of Malawi and President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, Sameer Suleiman, has called on African Parliaments to renew their social contract with citizens by strengthening accountability, inclusivity and responsiveness.

Suleiman made the call on Wednesday when he officially opened the 55th CPA Africa Region Conference and Annual General Meeting at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

The conference, being hosted by Malawi, is bringing together Speakers, Presiding Officers, Members of Parliament, Clerks and parliamentary officials from 17 CPA Africa Region branches to discuss issues surrounding parliamentary democracy, governance, development and citizen engagement.

The conference is being held under the theme, “Renewing the Social Contract: Parliaments as Catalysts for Inclusive Growth and Citizen Trust.”

Suleiman described the theme as an urgent call to action, particularly at a time when public confidence in institutions is facing growing pressure across Africa.

He said Parliament must remain closely connected to the people it represents and ensure that citizens see tangible results from democratic institutions.

According to Suleiman, strengthening the relationship between citizens and Parliament requires legislatures to be more accountable, inclusive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of their populations.

He cautioned that when legislatures fail to respond effectively to citizens’ concerns, they risk creating frustration, disillusionment and scepticism towards democratic institutions.

The Speaker emphasised that Parliaments have a critical responsibility to rebuild and sustain public trust by ensuring that citizens are not merely participants during elections but remain actively engaged in democratic processes.

He said effective parliamentary representation should involve listening to citizens, reflecting their concerns in legislative processes and holding governments accountable for decisions and policies that affect people’s lives.

The conference therefore provides an opportunity for African parliamentarians to reflect on how legislatures can become more effective catalysts for inclusive economic growth while strengthening democratic governance.

The discussions are expected to focus on the role of Parliament in addressing challenges affecting citizens, promoting inclusive development, strengthening oversight and ensuring that democratic institutions remain responsive to changing social and economic realities.

The gathering also provides a platform for parliamentary leaders from across the CPA Africa Region to exchange experiences, share best practices and identify practical approaches to strengthening parliamentary democracy.

With representatives from 17 branches participating, the conference is expected to generate regional perspectives on some of the major challenges facing African legislatures, including public trust, accountability, citizen participation and inclusive development.

Suleiman’s call comes at a time when African countries are facing increasing demands for stronger institutions capable of responding to economic pressures and the expectations of increasingly engaged populations.

The CPA Africa Region conference will also consider matters concerning the work and future direction of the association, as parliamentary leaders seek to strengthen cooperation among member branches.

As host of the conference, Malawi has an opportunity to showcase its parliamentary democracy while contributing to regional discussions on how Parliaments can better serve citizens and support sustainable development.

The 55th CPA Africa Region Conference and Annual General Meeting continues in Lilongwe with delegates expected to deliberate on key parliamentary and regional issues before concluding their engagements.

The conference’s central message is clear: restoring public confidence in democratic institutions requires Parliaments to move beyond representation alone and demonstrate accountability, responsiveness and measurable commitment to the citizens they serve.