Hon.
Rahab Mukami, a member of Kenya’s delegation to
the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), has praised PAP President H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira for
his recent high-level delegation visit to Kenya. During this visit, Chief Charumbira and his team met with
Kenyan President and AU Institutional Reforms Chair, H.E. William Ruto, to discuss the ongoing African Union (AU) reform
agenda, specifically PAP’s evolving role in advancing African governance and
unity.
Hon.
Mukami expressed deep gratitude for Chief Charumbira’s commitment to
"strengthening unity and cooperation across Africa" and noted his
"dedication to ensuring the Pan-African Parliament functions effectively
as a voice for all Africans is truly inspiring."
Hon.
Mukami’s commendation comes at a critical
moment, as AU reforms aim to reinforce PAP’s capacity for oversight, advocacy,
and representation of the African people—key elements of Agenda 2063,
the AU’s strategic blueprint for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
The discussions underscored PAP’s potential to deepen citizen engagement across
the continent, expand oversight of AU organs, and enhance financial
transparency, including PAP’s review of AU budget proposals as mandated in the
PAP Protocol.
Addressing Institutional Weaknesses
and Funding Challenges
The meeting with President Ruto focused on empowering
PAP amid AU reforms to solidify its position as the people’s voice within the
AU. Chief Charumbira’s leadership
has been instrumental in addressing institutional challenges and securing
critical funding, which had previously affected PAP’s statutory functions.
Since 2021, PAP has faced financial constraints that led to the postponement of
both the August 2023 Committee Sitting and the October 2023 Ordinary Session.
These funding setbacks were further
compounded by a leadership dispute following the suspension of PAP’s amended
Rules of Procedure adopted in November 2022. This suspension, based on a legal
opinion from the AU’s Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC), required PAP’s Plenary
to reconsider the amended Rules and address specific inconsistencies.
Ensuring Continued Operations and
Engagement
Despite concerns that these issues
might affect the August 2024 Committee Sitting, the 2024 Conference of Speakers
of Africa’s National and Regional Parliaments in September, and the upcoming
October 2024 Ordinary Session, Chief
Charumbira’s diplomatic efforts helped secure essential funding. His
proactive leadership has allowed PAP to proceed with its agenda, ensuring
sustained engagement and alignment with AU goals.
This recent collaboration between PAP and AU leadership in Kenya marks a pivotal moment in the Pan-African Parliament’s mission to represent African voices, enhance transparency, and foster stronger connections between the AU and African citizens.
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