The Fourth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament: Advancing Education for a Resilient Africa

Monday November 4 marked the opening of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), held in Midrand, South Africa. This year’s session, themed "Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century," focuses on the critical role of education in driving Africa's sustainable development. The theme reflects Africa’s commitment to fostering inclusive and resilient educational systems that support lifelong learning and equip the youth for future challenges.

The session commenced with the swearing-in of six new members, five from Rwanda and one from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are expected to bring fresh perspectives to discussions on Africa’s educational and developmental goals.

Opening Remarks by PAP President H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira

H.E. Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, delivered a passionate opening address, stressing the session’s theme and highlighting the responsibility to establish resilient educational systems. Hon. Charumbira called for a moment of silence for recent victims of terrorism and conflicts across Africa, reaffirming PAP’s commitment to peace through parliamentary diplomacy. Despite budget constraints that have hindered PAP’s peace-building initiatives, he emphasized that the institution will continue advocating for stability across the continent.

President Charumbira further addressed PAP’s foundational vision of enabling the "participation of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent," underscoring the need for robust, accountable institutions. He advocated for enhancing PAP’s role within the African Union (AU), proposing a transformative approach to grant PAP greater legislative powers, similar to the binding authority held by institutions like the European Parliament.

Notable Speakers Addressing the Session

Key figures from Africa and beyond contributed to the opening session:

·       Hon. Anna Thandi Moraka, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, welcomed the delegates and reaffirmed South Africa's dedication to African unity. She highlighted South Africa’s upcoming G-20 presidency, encouraging PAP to leverage this opportunity to advance Africa’s interests on the global stage.

·       H.E. Ambassador Andre Nzapayeke, Dean of African Ambassadors in South Africa, supported the theme’s emphasis on a unified African approach to education that prepares the next generation for future challenges. He congratulated Botswana on its successful election and urged political actors in Namibia’s upcoming election to respect democratic processes. Ambassador Nzapayeke highlighted that 2025 will be a pivotal year, with South Africa’s hosting of the G-20 summit and the expansion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), especially in light of global security challenges.

·       Mr. Khalil Boudali, representing the AU’s Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), emphasized the connection between education and economic empowerment, underscoring ECOSOCC’s role in supporting PAP’s educational goals.

·       Hon. Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, called for educational reforms that ensure equitable access for African children, framing education as central to upholding human rights.

·       H.E. Roger Mancienne, Speaker of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), spoke on regional collaboration to improve educational outcomes, advocating for cross-border educational policies to address shared challenges in the SADC region.

·       Dr. Louis-Georges Tin, Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD) Parliament, emphasized the African diaspora’s crucial role in advancing Africa’s educational aspirations. He highlighted the diaspora as Africa’s “sixth region,” comprising over 350 million people worldwide. Dr. Tin also discussed the historical context of migration and slavery, calling for greater unity between Africa and its diaspora, describing this connection as the heart of Pan-Africanism. He elaborated on SOAD’s institutional framework, including a Cabinet, Parliament, and Royal Chamber, aimed at strengthening ties between Africa and its diaspora, economically, socially, and culturally. He also discussed the importance of the restitution of African artifacts, emphasizing that such initiatives support Africa's cultural sovereignty and identity.

·       Guest of Honour, H.E. Igor Sergeyenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus, brought an international perspective to the session, expressing Belarus' commitment to Africa's development initiatives and the strengthening of educational exchanges.

Advocating for Structural and Financial Support

A recurring theme in President Charumbira’s speech was the need for greater structural and financial backing for PAP. Despite receiving a supplementary budget of $1.4 million, PAP continues to face budgetary challenges, limiting its ability to fulfill its mandate. The President acknowledged AU member states and partners, such as Afreximbank, for their resource mobilization efforts, which have been instrumental in helping PAP sustain its operations.

President Charumbira also introduced PAP’s Strategic Plan for 2024-2028, which aligns its activities with the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The plan underscores a commitment to advancing Africa’s educational sector and achieving PAP’s objectives in fostering continental development and integration.

Concluding Reflections: A Vision for an Educated Africa

The Fourth Ordinary Session sets a crucial platform for addressing Africa’s educational and developmental needs. As President Charumbira concluded, he urged members to focus on creating a legacy that prioritizes an inclusive, transformative educational agenda. With the groundwork laid on the opening day, the Pan-African Parliament is well-positioned to advocate for policies that will shape a resilient educational landscape across the continent.