PAP President outlines vision to African Ambassadors in South Africa

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira has called on African Diplomats to act as PAP’s “brand ambassadors” in African Union (AU) Member States, as the new Bureau embarks on a journey to “revive, renew, reposition, and reinvigorate” the continental Parliament.

The call was made during a plenary meeting of African Diplomatic Heads of Mission accredited to the Republic of South Africa, where the leader of the legislative organ of the AU was invited to present the vision of the Bureau of the 6th Parliament of the PAP. The PAP President was accompanied by the 1st Vice President, Hon. Prof. Massouda Mohamed Laghdaf (Mrs.); 2nd Vice President, Hon. Dr Ashebiri Gayo; and 4th Vice President, Hon. Francois Ango Ndoutoume.

Recalling the election of the Bureau held in June 2022, H.E. Hon. Chief Charumbira told African Diplomats gathered at the Tswane Municipality in Pretoria, South Africa that the election process signalled the return to full operational functionality of the PAP and, more importantly, the entrenchment of the principle of rotational leadership at the level of the Presidency.

“Rotational leadership brings predictability, predictability breeds certainty, certainty fosters stability and stability engenders peace. There is no leadership contestation with rotation. On behalf of the PAP Bureau and, indeed, on my own behalf, I would like to convey our appreciation to all of you for the role you played in supporting the principle of geographical rotation. I am pleased to report that after its elections, the Bureau of the 6th Parliament made sure that the principle of rotation is observed throughout all the structures including leadership of Regional Caucuses and Permanent Committees,” said H.E. Hon. Charumbira.

Regarding the vision of the Bureau of the 6th Parliament, the President of the PAP reminded African Ambassadors that the new leadership takes over at a time when the AU and the PAP are facing numerous challenges including poverty, rising unemployment, unconstitutional changes in governments, lack of control over resources, new conflicts and violence, economic progress retarded by the COVID-19 pandemic and commodity-based economies with limited value addition and beneficiation, among others.

In this regard, the PAP Bureau, according to its President, seeks to ensure that the PAP regains the confidence of the African citizenry and reclaims its place in the continental governance matrix by making an impactful contribution to the lives and livelihoods of the people of Africa through its consultative and advisory role. “At the end of our tenure, the PAP must be visible throughout the continent, inclusive in its approach, united, relevant and impactful to the African citizenry. Our thrust is driven by the operative mantra, ‘Reviving, Renewing, Repositioning and Reinvigorating the Pan-African Parliament.’”

Read more here:

https://bit.ly/3RBKGI