Hon. Lucia Dos Passos Calls for Inclusive Representation at the AGA-APSA Platform

The 3^rd Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Hon. Lucia Dos Passos has stressed the need for a citizen-driven democratic governance model which demands the involvement and empowerment of the Pan-African Parliament at every stage of initiatives aimed at promoting good governance, human rights, and strengthening democracy in Africa. She spoke during the 2024 Second Technical and Political meetings of the African Governance Architecture and African Peace and Security Architecture (AGA-APSA) Platform on Tuesday in Accra, Ghana.

Hon. Lucia Passos who represented the President of the Pan-African Parliament also highlighted the importance of effective representation of the African Parliamentary body in electoral observation processes.

The Pan-African Parliament was established to provide a common platform for African peoples and grassroots organizations to engage in discussions and decision-making on the continent's challenges.

In accordance with Rule 9 of the African Governance Platform, the Platform's members convene at the Technical and Political level twice annually. The 2024 AGA-APSA Platform Technical and Political Meetings are being held in conjunction with the 6th AU-RECs Mid-Year Coordination Meeting (MYCM) of the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) from July 16-17, 2024.

The meeting aims to enhance synergy and collaboration among Platform members, specifically validating the harmonization of state reporting mechanisms. Additionally, the Platform will collectively celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of four AU Organs: the Peace and Security Council (PSC), Pan African Parliament (PAP), AU Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

This celebration is intended to recognize the progress made by these organs, both individually and collectively, to foster the spirit of the Platform and promote collaboration and synergies.

The African Governance Architecture was established in 2012 as a “platform for dialogue between various stakeholders” tasked with promoting good governance, human rights, and democracy in Africa. This initiative also aims to translate the objectives of the AU Shared Values legal and policy pronouncements into action. The creation of the African Governance Architecture (AGA) was a decision made during the 15th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.