Hon. Lucia Dos Passos Calls for Amending the PAP Rules of Procedure in Light of the MoU with the State of the African Diaspora - AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

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Friday, January 31, 2025

Hon. Lucia Dos Passos Calls for Amending the PAP Rules of Procedure in Light of the MoU with the State of the African Diaspora


The Third Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Hon. Lucia Dos Passos, has called for amendments to the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure following the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Cooperation with the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD). This partnership represents a significant milestone in broadening PAP’s global engagement. Concurrently, the African Union’s (AU) 2025 theme—“Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”—highlights the urgent need for PAP to align its procedural framework with its evolving vision of inclusivity, collaboration, and justice.

Areas Requiring Amendment

1. Recognition of Diaspora Representation

The MoU grants SOAD observer status with some advisory seats in PAP. To formalize this arrangement, PAP’s Rules of Procedure should explicitly integrate diaspora representation. Such a framework would welcome advisory voices while preserving PAP’s legislative autonomy, underscoring the commitment to represent Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora.

2. Creation of a Committee on Diaspora Affairs

Hon. Dos Passos proposed establishing a Committee on Diaspora Affairs to ensure structured and ongoing engagement with SOAD and other diaspora organizations. This committee could:

  • Facilitate cooperation on key areas outlined in the MoU, such as agribusiness, health, education, restitution, and tourism.
  • Serve as a focal point for diaspora contributions to reparations and justice, aligning with the AU’s 2025 theme.
  • Spearhead initiatives including the Africa and Diaspora Global Development Fund and the proposed Africa and Diaspora Summit.

3. Inclusion of Restitution and Reparations in the PAP Agenda

In light of the AU’s focus on reparations and SOAD’s active restitution campaign, PAP should adopt mechanisms to engage with these initiatives. Possible steps include:

  • Instituting periodic reviews of restitution and reparations efforts.
  • Developing clear guidelines for endorsing campaigns or proposals from diaspora stakeholders.

4. Collaboration on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The joint Africa and Diaspora Global Development Fund aims to advance the United Nations’ 17 SDGs. Accordingly, PAP’s Rules of Procedure should incorporate provisions for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on projects undertaken with SOAD to ensure accountability and tangible impact.

5. Recognition of Cultural and Historical Symbolism

Article 1 of the MoU emphasizes Marcus Garvey as a unifying figure between Africa and the diaspora. To honor this legacy, PAP could adopt cultural commemorations—such as a Marcus Garvey Day—to strengthen ties with the diaspora and celebrate shared heritage.

Opportunities for Alignment with the AU’s 2025 Theme

The AU’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” provides a crucial backdrop for these procedural reforms. In this context, PAP should prioritize:

  • Advocacy for Reparations: Amplifying its voice on global platforms to promote justice and reparations.
  • Engagement with Diaspora Stakeholders: Encouraging meaningful dialogue on reparations and justice with diaspora communities.
  • Promotion of Restitution: Collaborating with SOAD and AU member states to expedite the return of African artifacts and cultural heritage.

Additional Voices in Support of Reform

A member of the Gambian delegation to PAP, Hon. Sulayman Saho echoed these calls for reform. He underscored the importance of representing the African diaspora—recognized as the AU’s “sixth region”—within PAP’s committees. Emphasizing the diaspora’s substantial role in Africa’s socio-economic development and its contribution to AU Agenda 2063, Hon. Saho noted that many diaspora communities face hostilities, marginalization, and discrimination, yet maintain strong cultural ties to their ancestral homeland.

He further argued that SOAD, as the most organized diaspora body, merits permanent membership in PAP rather than mere observer status—an adjustment that would require amending PAP’s Rules of Procedure to allow full participation in its activities.

Conclusion

Amending the Pan-African Parliament’s Rules of Procedure is not a mere administrative exercise; it is a transformative opportunity to institutionalize diaspora engagement and honor the principles set forth in the MoU with SOAD. By enacting these reforms, PAP can enhance its capacity to advocate for all Africans, including those in the diaspora, and to champion the ideals of unity, development, and justice laid out by Pan-African visionaries like Marcus Garvey.

In the collective pursuit of reparations, restitution, and strengthened partnerships with the diaspora, these amendments will ensure that PAP remains a vital instrument of African solidarity and progress in the 21st century.

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