facilitate the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the OAU/ AEC and, ultimately, of the African Union. The Code also enjoined Members to desist from conduct that would contravene or promote the contravention of any provision of the Protocol.
Members are charged by the Code to maintain and strengthen the integrity of the Pan-African Parliament and refrain from any act or omission which would bring the Pan-African Parliament into disrepute.
On ethical standards, the Code prescribed that in pursuing the aims, the objectives and the activities of the Pan - African Parliament, Members should be guided by the following principles and aspirations:
(i) The commitment to sanctity of human life and to a peaceful and non-violent orientation in all activities.
(ii) The promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law, good governance as well as justice for all the peoples of Africa.
(iii) Respect for the equality, rights and dignity of all people.
(iv) The promotion of social justice to ensure balance economic development.
(v) Rejection of partisan political, ethical, cultural, racial or religious intolerance and all other forms of discrimination.
(vi) Commitment to the promotion of gender equality and social inclusion at all levels.
(vii) Maintaining a culture of transparency, accountability and avoiding corrupt and unethical practices.
(viii) Instilling a culture of dialogue and sharing of resources, information, expertise and experiences.
(ix) Rejecting research efforts, programmes, projects, a nd
other activities which are direct- ly or indirectly aimed at deve- loping methods of torture,
or other forms of techniques that violate and subvert peo- ple's rights.
(x) The upbringing and promotion of the youth in order to recreate the citizen lifeblood and ensure her development.
On the mode of dressing, the Code stated the provisions of Rule 40 (2) of the Rules of Procedure, which provides that -- “Members shall dress in a dignified manner as accepted by their national Parliament or Deliberative Organ”.
Report of the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution on peace and security situation in Mali, Guinea, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar and Somalia
Mali
Presenting the Report, the Chairperson of the Committee stated that on 28th July, 2013, Mali held its Presidential Elections meant to restore the constitutional order that was interrupted by the resurgence of the Tuareg-led armed rebellion in the Northern Region of the country and the military coup staged by renegade soldiers led by Captain Amadou Haya Sanogo.
Both the coup and the rebellion precipitated the collapse of the State authority, while facilitating the occupation of the northern regions by armed radical groups including the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), Al- Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and the Movement for United Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) among others.
The atrocities committed by these groups and their plans to spread terrorism across the region transformed the Sahelian-Saharan Region into a dan- gerous zone, which was seen as a serious threat to global peace and stability.
The Report indicated that the military intervention led by France and supported by African troops (Mission des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation au Mali (Minusma) helped to create a relatively favourable environment for the elections.
While the electoral process had widely been acclaimed as relatively free and fair, the newly- elected President would have numerous challenges to contend with. These challenges include restoring national security, modalities for negotiation with the Tuareg Movement, national reconciliation, restoring the credibility of the political elite and the resector.
Guinea
On Guinea, the Report stated that over the past seven years, Guinea had been through a series of political crisis. After decades of military dictatorship under General Lansana Conte, and a stage- managed experiment with multi-partyism, national protests in 2006 led to a political transition in 2007 - 2008.
This was followed by the military coup in 2008 by Captain Dadis Camara, which plunged the country into crisis and led to gross violations of human rights and a general crackdown on political freedom and activity. Camara's reign ended when he was shot in the head late 2009. His attempted assassination paved way for a wholesale return to civilian rule in 2010 with the election of veteran Opposition leader Alpha Conde.
Within six months after the Presidential Elections, Legislative elections should have been held. However, the Opposition raised concerns over the integrity of the electoral process and the procrastination of the new Government and the significant delay in the holding of the legislative elections. The failure over the three years to resolve the impasse between the Government and the Opposition over the legislative elections created uncertainty and instability in the country.
The legislative elections were finally held on 28th September, 2013. The Opposition accused the Government of attempting to rig the elections and withdrew from the election co-ordinating body and called for an annulment. Aside the political tension was the ethnic dimension mainly between the country's two main ethnic groups: Peul and the Malinke.
The Opposition accused Government of attempting to sideline the Peul community from political and economic life. This dimension of the conflict between the two sides had been one of the most serious aspects of the situation. This led to increasing hostilities between the two communities, which had traditionally co-existed peacefully.
The Report indicated that the unstable situation in the sub-region could lead to the escalation of violence as the borders of the neighbours of Guinea are porous and suffer from security problems. Again,
