The Bureau of the Pan-African
Parliament (PAP) held a virtual meeting with chairpersons of the regional and
thematic caucuses to assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the
continent and engage on the way forward.
Specifically, the meeting delved
into the revised activity calendar of the PAP in the context of Covid-19;
updates from chairpersons of caucuses on the pandemic situation in their
respective regions; and concrete steps to be undertaken by Pan-African
Parliamentarians to complement continental efforts in the fight against the
novel Coronavirus.
The meeting reached a consensus on
the necessity for the PAP to take on the challenge and vigorously participate
in the processes of finding solutions for African citizens in line with its
mandate.
“The meeting provided an opportunity
to evaluate the response by African countries to this invisible enemy. The
engagement further emphasized the need for Parliamentarians to fully play their
role in this critical time. The Caucuses have thus adopted the proposal of the
Bureau that the PAP resumes activities of the Permanent Committees as soon as
possible, in order to make meaningful contribution to the ongoing efforts,”
says Hon. Bouras DJAMEL, Acting President of the PAP.
As a precursor to this engagement,
the Committee on Health, Transport and Education as well as other PAP Permanent
Committees are in the process of commencing consultations to come up with positions
that can contribute to solutions in various sectors affected by the pandemic.
The Bureau and Caucus Chairpersons
also resolved to sensitize African citizens and constituencies around the
continent in respect of social distancing measures decreed by African Union
(AU) member states to slow the spread of the virus.
The meeting also urged African
Parliamentarians to assertively use their oversight mandate to ensure that
citizens are provided with the necessary tools to face the pandemic. Parliamentarians
have further been called upon to promote collaboration among the 55 AU member
states, as solutions that are inclusive of all African countries will help the
continent to definitively overcome this pandemic.
The caucuses were also briefed that
the PAP had recently heeded the call from the African Union Commission (AUC) to
join other organs in sparring part of their budgets to assist the Africa CDC in
the fight against Covid-19. In this regard, the PAP has contributed over 500,000
USD.
The meeting was chaired by Hon.
Bouras DJAMEL (Acting President) and attended by Hon. Chief Fortune CHARUMBIRA
(Vice-President of the PAP); Hon. Ntlhoi MOTSAMAI (Chairperson of the Southern
Caucus; Hon. Helio SANCHES (Chairperson of the Western Caucus); Hon.
Mustafa ELGENDY (Chairperson of the Northern Caucus); Hon. Fidel RWIGAMBA
( Deputy Chairperson of the Eastern Caucus); Hon.
Elise NDOADOUMNGUE NELOUMSEI LOUM (Chairperson of the Central Caucus); and Hon.
Mboni MHITA (Chairperson of the Caucus on Youth). Senior managers of the
Secretariat were also present at the meeting.
Press release by Jeffrey ONGANGA
Media Officer, Pan-African Parliament
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