PAP President Charumbira calls for PAP to clearly define and differentiate its functions from those of other AU agencies

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), His Excellency Chief Fortune Charumbira has stressed the need for the PAP to clearly define and differentiate its functions from those of other African Union (AU) bodies and agencies. While PAP shares goals with some AUC departments and agencies, its primary responsibilities—representation, lawmaking, and oversight—must be distinct and aligned with its mandate as outlined in Article 11 of the PAP Protocol. Chief Charumbira highlights that PAP’s role should be focused on advocating for, monitoring, and domesticating Agenda 2063 at the national level, avoiding duplication of efforts, particularly in areas like peace and security or women’s issues, where other AU departments are also active.

He emphasized that PAP must act as a bridge between the AU and national governments, playing a unique and strategic role in the legislative and oversight functions that ensure the effective implementation of continental priorities at the local level.

Chief Charumbira stated this on Friday in Midrand, South Africa when he delivered the opening remarks at the two-day High-Level Workshop on Results-Based Planning, Budgeting, Reporting, and Management (RBM) and the Domestication of the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063. The event marked a significant step in aligning PAP’s efforts with the African Union’s (AU) broader development objectives, particularly Agenda 2063, aimed at achieving “The Africa We Want.”

In his remarks, Chief Charumbira highlighted the recent Bureau election in March 2024 following the Executive Council’s decision (Ex. CL 1214) in February 2024, which addressed the situation within PAP. He underscored that since this election, the Bureau has been focused on rebuilding and strengthening PAP’s organs to ensure the institution is aligned with a results-driven trajectory.

Focus on Results-Based Management (RBM)

Chief Charumbira emphasized that the workshop serves as a decisive move by PAP to re-orient all its organs and structures toward a results-based approach. He pointed out that earlier initiatives laid the groundwork for this transformation. In April 2024, the Bureau of PAP commissioned a comprehensive retreat to train the Secretariat on RBM principles. Following this, the training expanded in June 2024 to the Joint Bureaux of Parliament, including chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and rapporteurs of various parliamentary committees. The current workshop represents the next critical step: introducing all 275 Members of Parliament to these concepts to strengthen their capacity for effective planning, budgeting, monitoring, and evaluation.

Workshop Objectives and Strategic Importance

Chief Charumbira outlined the workshop’s key objectives, starting with introducing RBM principles and their application within Africa’s Agenda 2063 and its Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan. He stressed the need for MPs to understand their roles within the broader AU structure, emphasizing the importance of aligning PAP’s efforts with AU objectives. The workshop’s focus, he explained, is to answer fundamental questions: “Who are we? What should we be doing? Why and how should we be doing it?”

One of the central goals is to equip PAP members with the knowledge and tools to demonstrate the Parliament’s direct contribution to the African Union’s objectives. The workshop will also foster a deeper understanding of AU legal instruments, particularly the 2014 PAP Protocol, and how to accelerate their ratification and domestication across member states.

Key Objectives of the Workshop

Chief Charumbira highlighted four core objectives for the workshop:

1.     Introducing RBM Concepts: To familiarize members with the key principles and terminology of RBM, including inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact.

2.     Contextualizing RBM within Agenda 2063: To place these concepts within the framework of Africa’s Agenda 2063, focusing on its aspirations and strategic moonshots.

3.     Strengthening Capacity: To build the capacity of PAP members to effectively plan, budget, and monitor their activities, ensuring they align with and contribute to AU priorities.

4.     Identifying Priorities for PAP’s Strategic Plan: To develop key priorities and programs that can help accelerate the domestication of AU legal instruments, particularly the 2014 PAP Protocol, ensuring PAP’s efforts align with continental goals.

Expected Outcomes

The President set out five expected outcomes from the workshop:

1.     Enhanced Understanding of AU Architecture: Members will have a deeper awareness of the African Union's institutional architecture and the role of PAP within it.

2.     Comprehensive Knowledge of Agenda 2063: MPs will gain a thorough understanding of Agenda 2063, its implementation plan, and its role in shaping the continent’s future over the next 50 years.

3.     Re-orientation towards Results: The Parliament will be realigned to adopt a results-oriented approach in the planning, implementation, and reporting of activities, ensuring Agenda 2063’s goals are domesticated across all African countries.

4.     Familiarity with AU Monitoring Tools: Members will be introduced to the African Union’s Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting Tool (AMERT) and how it can be effectively used.

5.     Identification of Priorities for Committees: Each parliamentary portfolio committee will identify its priorities and strategies for the next four years (2024-2028), ensuring that all structures of the PAP contribute to the institution’s new Strategic Plan.

Re-examining the Role of PAP in Africa’s Development

A key theme in Chief Charumbira’s remarks was the need for clarity in PAP’s role, particularly in areas where its functions may appear to overlap with other AU organs. He emphasized that PAP’s primary mandate remains representation, law-making, and oversight as outlined in Article 11 of the PAP Protocol. However, he stressed the need for the Parliament to define its unique role in areas such as peace and security, conflict resolution and women’s issues. By avoiding what appears to be duplication of functions with other AU departments, PAP can focus on its strengths and offer distinct value to the continent’s development efforts.

Chief Charumbira challenged the members to reflect on the role of their respective committees in advancing Agenda 2063 at the national level. He encouraged MPs to develop and implement programs that address the specific needs of their countries while contributing to continental objectives.

Appreciation for Financial Support

In concluding his remarks, Chief Charumbira expressed his deep appreciation to AFREXIM Bank for its generous financial support, which made the workshop possible. He also extended his gratitude to Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), for her role in facilitating the partnership with AFREXIM Bank.

Conclusion

Chief Charumbira’s opening remarks set the tone for a transformative two-day workshop focused on results-based governance and the domestication of Agenda 2063. His call for a re-orientation of PAP toward a results-driven approach reflects the growing urgency for African institutions to deliver tangible outcomes. The workshop represents a decisive step in PAP’s evolution, with a clear focus on aligning its work with continental priorities and ensuring that Africa’s long-term aspirations are realized through concrete action at every level.