Pan-African Parliament holds orientation meeting for new members

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Sunday at the precincts of the Parliament in Midrand, South Africa held orientation meeting for newly designated members preparatory to their swearing in on Monday during the opening session of the Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament. The session will focus on the African Union theme for 2024:”Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.”

About twenty one (21) new parliamentarians are expected to be sworn in during the session to be presided over by the President of the Parliament, H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira.

Participants at the orientation meeting included the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu; Hon. Fatoumatta Njai (Gambia); Hon. Mohlalisi Mphrane (Lesotho); Hon. Samuel A. Kogar (Liberia); Hon. Muka Kerkula Kamara (Liberia); and Hon. Luther Sandy Collins (Liberia); Hon. Happymore Chidziva (Zimbabwe).

Tunisia whose parliament was unilaterally suspended on 25 July 2021 and later dissolved by President Kais Saied has since then, been unable to participate in the activities of the continental parliament. Tunisia has now sent a new five (5) member delegation following parliamentary election late last year and are also expected to be sworn in on Monday. The members are: Hon. Bawab Yousri,  Hon. Ben Salah Aymen, Hon. Cheniti Awatef (Mrs.), Hon. Hammami Lotfi, and Hon. Saidani Ahmed.

Sierra Leone has also designated her five (5) members consisting of new and returning members. They are Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Hon. Mohamed Bangura, Hon. P. C. Alie B. S. Marrah, Hon. Rosemarie Bangura and Hon. Fransis A. Kaisamba.

Others expected to be sworn in on Monday are Hon. Jaqueline M. Simbe (Cameroon) who is part of the new delegation who is yet to be sworn in; Sen. Jesusa Obono Engono Nchama (Equatorial Guinea) who replaces Sen. Purificacion Buhari Lasakero; Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (Nigeria) who was not able to be sworn in during the March 2024 extraordinary session of PAP.

The two-week session of the Parliament which kicks off  tomorrow, will end on Friday 5 July, 2024 and will focus on the following:

• Presentations and debates on the progress in the implementation of the AfCFTA and continental integration.

• Presentations and debates on Agenda 2063 and its relation to the AfCFTA.

• Presentations and debates on the Report on Advancing Free Movement in Africa.

• Presentations and debates on peace and security in Africa, including a presentation on the African Union Common Position on UN Security Council Reforms.

• Presentations and debates on the consultations regarding the zero draft of the revised OAU Convention for the elimination of mercenaries in Africa.

• Presentation and debates on “The Scourge of Drug and Substance Abuse as an Impediment to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality and Relevant Learning in Africa.”

• Presentations and debates on APRM country reports and governance reports.

• An update by the Government of South Africa on the court case filed by South Africa against Israel.