THERE is every indicator that Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Tulia Ackson is likely to clinch the top seat of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), following a decision by the African Union (AU) to rally behind her presidential bid.
A statement issued in Dodoma on Wednesday afternoon by the Parliament’s Communications and International Relations Unit noted that the AU had decided to back Dr Tulia to be the only candidate representing the continent to vie for IPU presidency unopposed.
The IPU is a body made up of 179 parliaments as its members out of 193 legislative bodies globally. It is a key international organ that facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians in the promotion of peace and democracy.
The organ is currently led by a Portuguese national, Mr Duarte Pacheco, and expects to select its new leader during the 147th assembly scheduled to take place from October 23rd to October 27th in Luanda, Angola.
“The decision to rally behind the Tanzania Speaker of the House was made during the 43rd Ordinary Session of the African Union Council of Ministers, in Nairobi from July 13th to 14th July 2023, after the council received and endorsed a request from the Tanzanian government to rally behind Dr Tulia to vie for IPU presidency,’’ read the statement in part.
Dr Tulia has been fronted by Tanzania to contest the IPU presidency post. The government said it was strongly backing her for the contest given her unmatched qualifications, experience, and commitment to democracy.
If elected, Dr Tulia will lead the organisation from 2023 to 2026 and will be the first woman from Africa to hold the prestigious position.
She will also be the first-ever president hailing from the Eastern Africa sub-region, hence the great push now from the region to have her elected.
