CPLP Women Lawmakers Champion Public Integrity in Luanda
Lawmakers from across the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) gathered in Luanda today to issue a powerful call for collective accountability, asserting that public integrity is not merely a legal requirement but a shared responsibility of all branches of government.
Parliaments as Guardians of Transparency
Speaking at the opening of the XV Interim Session of the CPLP Parliamentary Assembly (AP-CPLP), Maria Dique Enoque, President of the Network of Women Parliamentarians, emphasized that legislative bodies are uniquely positioned to lead the fight against corruption. The Mozambican deputy argued that it is the duty of parliaments to approve robust regulations that prevent malpractice and ensure rigorous oversight of public resources.
“The promotion of public integrity is a shared responsibility among all state powers,” Enoque stated. “However, parliaments occupy a unique position in this process. We must encourage accountability, protect whistleblowers, and ensure that citizen participation in the legislative process is both transparent and effective.”
Youth Leaders: “We Must Be Architects of the Digital Future”
The session also featured the Network of Young Parliamentarians, where the focus shifted to the challenges of the digital age. Anchia Formiga, the Mozambican deputy leading the youth network, urged her colleagues to take a proactive stance regarding technological transformation.
“As young parliamentarians, the responsibility of designing the future weighs on our shoulders,” Formiga said. “We cannot be mere spectators of the digital revolution; we must be its architects. The youth of the CPLP expect bold answers and inclusive policies from us.”
Strengthening Institutional Resilience
The interim session, hosted by Angola through Friday, operates under the theme: “Democratic Governance, Security, and Integrity: Strengthening Institutional Resilience in the CPLP.” The event has brought together 13 delegations to the Angolan capital to share best practices and formulate recommendations for effective public policy.
Mozambique currently holds the rotating presidency of the AP-CPLP, leading an organization that has grown significantly since its founding in 1996. Now celebrating its 30th year, the CPLP—originally formed by Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, and São Tomé and Príncipe—has expanded to include Timor-Leste and Equatorial Guinea. Today, the community represents more than 300 million citizens across four continents.
Image: Pexels – Jan van der Wolf
