The President of the Pan-African
Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune
Charumbira has sounded it loud and clear that PAP is focused on delivering
on its mandate to an expectant continent, emphasizing that its objectives are clearly
spelt out in Article 3 of the Protocol
to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the
Pan-African Parliament (PAP Protocol).
Chief Charumbira
stated this on Monday while delivering his opening
remarks during the opening ceremony of the Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth
Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament which took place at the precincts of
the Parliament in Midrand, South Africa.
He
promised that “with the PAP now back to full operational functionality, rest
assured that the Bureau is back and working diligently to ensure that we
refocus the institution on achieving its mandate, reconnect with sister AU Organs,
other stakeholders and the citizens of Africa, and, in so doing, rebrand and
repair the soiled image of the Pan African Parliament.”
“Although
challenges remain but we remain firmly focused on driving the achievement of
meaningful results in fulfilling the PAP’s mandate.”
“This
is what we are called to do, Hon. Members. This is what we should focus on
delivering to an expectant continent. I, therefore, implore all of us to steer clear
of regional, linguistic or leadership politics which can only serve to divide
us. We must be guided by principle, our collective conscience and the love of
the motherland in everything we do if we are to make this continental Parliament
effective in fulfilling the functions stated above. Our operative mantra, as
espoused by the African Union should be “Think Africa Above All.” With this
mentality, we can start talking and living our motto, “One Africa, One Voice.”
“As we
open our plenary session with Committee Sittings coming first on the agenda it
is important that Hon. Members fully comprehend the breadth of the challenges
that your Bureau is facing in trying to lobby for adequate resources for PAP
which may need Committees to refocus and do things differently.”
The PAP
President shared his experience during a retreat in Addis Ababa Retreat before
the Pre-Budget Retreat from 22nd April to 1st May, 2024, trying to
canvas for an increased budget allocation for both 2024 and 2025. “We were
shocked at the issues that the F15 in particular is now raising more than 20
years after the establishment of the Pan African Parliament by the Founding
Fathers.”
“One of
the questions we keep being asked is, WHAT DOES THE PAP DO? Surely, 20 years
after the establishment of PAP premised on a Protocol adopted by Heads of State
in Sirte, Libya, and ratified by Member States in 2004 we cannot be fielding
such questions. The PAP’s functions are clear in the Protocol notwithstanding attempts
to undermine these functions. But the question behind that question is, WHAT
IMPACT HAS THE PAP MADE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS?”
“Of
course, it is shocking to say the least that we are getting such questions more
than 20 years into our existence but what it tells us is that we should start
focusing on results instead of activities. As Committees begin their meetings
tomorrow, you should start asking yourselves what will be the likely output,
outcome and possible impact of what you are doing? You should start asking
yourselves whether what you are doing is linked to the mandate of the Pan
African Parliament. You should also start interrogating whether what you are
doing contributes to the seven (7) Moonshots/ Strategic Focus Areas identified
by the African Union”. He identified those areas as:
v Moonshot 1: Every AU Member State attains at least middle- income status
v Moonshot 2: Africa is more integrated and connected
v Moonshot 3: Public institutions are more responsive
v Moonshot 4: Africa resolves conflicts amicably
v Moonshot 5: African values are explicit and promoted
v Moonshot 6: Africa's citizens are more empowered and more productive
v Moonshot 7: Africa is a strong and influential global player.
“Sadly,
even in the AU Wide Strategy, the mandate of PAP has been restricted to focus
only on Moonshot 2 “Africa is more integrated and connected.” We were told that
the PAP only finds expression in that one Moonshot, but we respectfully beg to
differ. In our considered opinion, the continental Parliament fits seamlessly
into all the 7 Moonshots and cannot be confined to just Moonshot 2. How can
Africa attain middle income status without a conducive policy and legislative environment
that spurs economic growth?”
“How
can Africa be more integrated and connected without removing the tariff barriers
that inhibit intra-Africa trade? How can public institutions be more responsive
if Parliament does not hold them accountable? These are just a few pointers
that the Union can only ignore the role of the continental Parliament in all
the 7 Moonshots at its own peril. We, therefore, implore our Committees in
planning for their activities to be mindful of these 7 Moonshots and to align their
outputs to them.”
Chief Charumbira
disclosed that one of the reasons advanced at the
Pre-Budget retreat for denying the Parliament the resources to do her work was
that “we are duplicating the functions of other Organs. When we said we promote
peace, security and stability on the continent in line with Article 3(5) of the
PAP Protocol, we were told that that function belongs to the Department of
Political Affairs, Peace and Security. Similarly, when we insisted that we develop
Model Laws we were told that it is outside our remit but belongs to Commission
on International Law.”
“Lest
we forget, in every Parliament all over the world, Parliamentary Committees
mirror government ministries and conduct oversight on the Ministries they
shadow. The same applies to the Pan African Parliament. There is, therefore, no
duplication of functions as the PAP does not implement policies and programmes
like Executive Organs but oversees the effective implementation of the same
within the universal doctrine of separation of powers. AU Organs cannot and
must not be the judge, jury and executioner without any checks and balances in
the continental governance system. That is precisely one of the reasons why the
Parliament was established.”
He also
disclosed that PAP have also been accused of doing their own thing far removed
from the AU priorities. “It is baffling because in our statutory meetings we
have always been guided by the AU Theme of the Year. That is why this session
is predicated on : “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building
resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong,
quality, and relevant learning in Africa.”
“I
believe this theme is appropriate and relevant now more than ever for the entire
Union. Justifiably, the first three decades of the African Union were focused
on the fight against colonialism. Africa is indeed politically “independent,”
but I believe we still need to decolonize our education systems and focus on
heritage - based education that supports the economic development of Africa.”
Chief Charumbira
commended the African Union for coming up with this
timely theme and encouraged all of the parliamentarians to fully apply themselves
in debating this topic.
“We
have also made sure that this plenary session includes presentations and discussions
on various issues relevant to Africa such as continental integration, through
the African Continental Free Trade Area, peace and security issues, climate
change and other issues common and relevant to the continent.”
Those in
attendance at the opening session included the President of the Arab
Parliament, His Excellency, Adel Bin Abdul Rahman Al Asoomi who was the
guest of honour; The Vice Presidents of the Pan African Parliament, Hon. Dr.
Ashebir Gayo; Hon. Lucia Dos Passos and Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat;
Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin
Kalu.
Others
are the Vice President of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, Hon.
Justice Modibo SACKO (who joined virtually); the Chairperson of the African
Commission on Human and People’s Rights, Hon. Remy Ngoy Lumbu (who also
joined virtually); the European Union Ambassador to the African Union, H.E.
Ambassador Javier Nino Perez, (who also joined virtually); the CEO of the
Africa Peer Review Mechanism, Her Excellency, Ambassador Marie-Antoinette
Rose Quatre; the Dean of African Ambassadors in South Africa, H.E.
Ambassador Andre Nzapayeke and members of the Diplomatic Corps; Hon.
Members of the Pan African Parliament; and the Clerk of the Pan African
Parliament, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo.
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