According to a release dated September 22, 2025, Naymote Executive Director Eddie Jarwolo pushed for innovation in African parliamentary engagement at the 5th African Parliamentary Engagement and Monitoring Conference in South Africa, which took place in Pretoria from September 16-19.
The Executive Director advocated for the adoption of AI in governance and advocacy across Africa. Jarwolo emphasized the importance of building trust with legislative committees, strengthening partnerships, and integrating digital platforms in civic technology and artificial intelligence into governance tracking and advocacy.
He used the occasion to share the institution’s decades-long experience in promoting Liberia’s democratic development and accountability, including the development of a practical legislative engagement guide that was well-received by participants. The guild consolidates lessons learned, successful advocacy strategies, and proven practices in citizen engagement.
The conference highlights active citizenship and Parliament, providing participants with strategies, resources, and best practices for monitoring Parliamentary activities. Regional action plans were developed to enhance engagement and oversight across Africa. The conference also marked the establishment of a Mano River Union Parliamentary Monitoring Group (MRU PMG), aimed at strengthening Parliamentary openness in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea. Led by Jeremy Ben Simbo of the Sierra Leone Center for Accountability and Rules of Law, the group will develop monitoring tools, support civic participation, and promote transparency across the region. The conference brought together 80 participants from 21 African countries, creating a platform to reflect on democratic progress and renewing strategies for effective collaboration between parliament and civil society organizations.
By Joseph Sirleaf, Contributing Writer
