A former President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Dr.
Gertrude Mongella has appealed to the African Union (AU) and its Heads
of State to provide sufficient support—human, technical, and financial—to
enable the PAP to carry out its mandate effectively stressing that the PAP
should not be treated as a "stepchild" of the African Union but as an
integral organ deserving of care and nurturing. She called for a stronger
Pan-African Parliament and urged the members of the PAP to revive their
commitment to the slogan "ONE AFRICA ONE VOICE" and to develop a
robust communication mechanism with the Union.
Dr. Mongella who was the inaugural President of PAP from
inception in 2004 to 2009, made the call on Monday while delivering historic address as
guest of honour at the event marking the 20th anniversary of the Pan-African
Parliament (PAP) held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand,
Johannesburg.
Her poignant speech
resonated deeply with the themes of unity, progress, and the enduring struggle
for a prosperous and peaceful Africa, reflecting on the institution’s journey
and set a vision for its future.
Dr. Mongella began by extending heartfelt thanks to the
current President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Chief Charumbira,
the Bureau Members, and the host country, South Africa and acknowledged the
warm reception and the steadfast support that has characterized the relationship
between the PAP and its host nation.
Reflecting on the PAP’s
two-decade-long journey, Dr. Mongella posed a critical
question: "From when we started to today, where are we?" This
question aimed to provoke a self-assessment of the Parliament’s adherence to
its founding slogan, "ONE AFRICA ONE VOICE." She emphasized the need
for introspection to ensure that the PAP remains relevant and effective in its
mission and called for the PAP to mature and become more independent in
promoting the African Union’s objectives, as stipulated in Article 3 of the
Constitutive Act of the African Union.
Dr. Mongella, whose speech was centered on the notion of
a united African voice, questioned whether the PAP’s voice is being heard
across the continent’s parliaments and in the international arena. The answer
to this question, she opined, would determine whether the PAP is moving in the
right direction or losing its relevance. She stressed the importance of the
PAP’s role in elevating the livelihoods of Africans, advocating for stronger
synergy between national, regional, and continental parliaments.
She highlighted the PAP’s crucial role in
conflict resolution, peace, and security and reminisced about the close
collaboration between the PAP and various Regional Economic Communities, such
as SADC, EAC, and ECOWAS, and then reiterated the importance of the concept
"African solutions for African problems," emphasizing that peace and
stability are prerequisites for a prosperous Africa. The ongoing conflicts and
political tensions in member states, especially those arising from elections,
were highlighted as areas of grave concern that require urgent attention from
the PAP.
Dr. Mongella’s speech also touched on the core values of
democracy and human rights emphasizing the PAP’s role in promoting equality and
non-discrimination, reflecting on Africa’s history of struggle against slavery,
colonization, and for political and economic independence. She passionately
advocated for gender equality, stressing that both men and women have equal
rights to the resources of the planet and should not be seen as invitees on it.
"Despite all these
years I’m delighted to see that can still come together to reflect on the
journey. Let us continue on our mandate to ensure that our Africans are living,
trading and moving in peaceful environment” said Dr. Mongella.
The Clerk of the
Parliament, Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo in her welcome address, urged
the attendees to critically reflect on the successes achieved, the challenges
while also reflecting on the way forward.
In his goodwill message, Dean
of African Diplomatic Corps in South Africa, Ambassador Andre
Nzapayeke, observed that PAP was a creation of the member states of
the African Union and established as a symbol of unity among African nations.
He reminded African governments and people of their obligation towards ensuring
the success of PAP stressing that after two decades, the time has come to
recognize the role of PAP towards achieving the vision of the “Africa we want”.
In his presentation on
the evolution of the Pan-African Parliament, H. E. Chief Fortune
Charumbira recalled that PAP established in 2004, 41 years after
the formation of the OAU (1963) now AU. He stated that the Founding Fathers
realized that without a Parliament, the African Union was a Union of Member
States not a Union of Citizens of Africa. “A continental Parliament was the
missing link in the Continental Governance Architecture that connects Member
States to the people and keeps them attuned to the people’s needs. In an ideal
governance framework, a Parliament is the supreme institution on the demand
side of accountability. A Parliament, comprising the people’s elected
representatives, is the foremost institution in representing the hopes, ideals
and aspirations of the people”.
Chief
Charumbira regretted the lack of recognition of MPs in the AU
architecture especially in their definition of “elected officials” deliberately
coined to exclude MPs and the centralization of functions by the AUC which has
resulted in the ack of appreciation of the role of a continental Parliament.
He disclosed that the
inaugural session of the PAP which lasted three days was held on 18 March 2004
and was attended by two hundred and two (202) legislators from 41 countries.
On the limitations of
PAP, Chief Charumbira regretted that legislative powers was
still not granted even though they are envisaged in the Protocol and the lack
of respect for the PAP’s mandate (Budgetary Oversight, Election
Observation Missions Reports, Ratification of AU Instruments),
insufficient Resources, lack of incentives for Bureau Members and MPs, Inadequate staff complements.
Professor Patrick Loch
Otieno Lumumba joined virtually
to celebrate the Pan-African Parliament's 20th anniversary. He shared a
presentation titled "Reflecting on the Journey and Charting the Path
Forward” and retraced the origins of the African Union and the ideals of the
Pan-African Parliament.
H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental
Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), who also joined virtually, reiterated that the
Pan-African Parliament is well-positioned to raise awareness of Africans on the
benefits of the AFCFTA.
In his message of solidarity, Head of the African Union ECOSOCC Secretariat, Mr. William Carew, congratulated the Members of Parliament on their successful journey and contribution in “building the Africa we want.” He also recalled the success of the collaboration between the Pan-African Parliament and ECOSOCC and assured them of ECOSOCC's commitment to strengthening the working relationship together
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