PAP joins efforts to promote lasting peace in Africa

The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) participated in the pre-launch event of the inter-regional knowledge exchange (I-RECKE) on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, held ahead of 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) in Lusaka, Zambia.

I-RECKE is an institutional community of practice for intra-continental and cross-regional learning to build peace. It is a Pan-African mechanism for developing, capturing and documenting knowledge and also sharing lessons learned, and experiences on governance and conflict prevention on the continent.

Led by the African Union Commission for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), I-RECKE has been described as a critical area of cooperation between the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in promoting peace and security on the continent.

The pre-launch was conducted in the presence of representatives from the eight RECs and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) on the African continent, given their central role in ensuring the implementation of preventive measure to maintain peace and security in the region.

Speaking at the pre-launch event, the President of the Pan-African Parliament H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira pledged full support for the initiative given its relevance with a core function of the Continental Parliament, which is to promote peace, security and stability.

“Our Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution considers policy issues on international cooperation and international relations on behalf of the Parliament and AU. It also deals with conventions and protocols linking the Parliament with regional and international institutions. The Committee examines revisions of AU protocols and treaties and provides assistance to the Parliament in its conflict prevention and resolution efforts. Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution,” said the PAP President.

H.E Chief Charumbira further called on the RECs to work closely with the PAP given the intertwinement of the mandates of the two parties on the issues of peace and security.

“The PAP and the RECs are one. In fact, the PAP is called upon, as part of its functions, to promote the coordination of the RECs’ policies, measures, programmes and activities. We are also tasked with consolidating democratic institutions and culture, good governance transparency and the rule of law by all AU organs, including RECs and Member States. Our cooperation is critical for the advancement of African integration. “ Said H.E Charumbira.

The pre-launch of the platform was followed by the official launch during the meeting of the Heads of State and Government.

Source: Mr. Jeffrey Onganga, Media Officer, Pan-African Parliament