The Pan-African
Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of the African Union (AU), has announced
the Sitting of its Permanent Committees and related meetings of the Sixth
Parliament. In alignment with the African Union Theme of the Year for
2025, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through
Reparations,” the sitting will take place at the PAP precincts in
Midrand, Republic of South Africa, from 18 to 28 February 2025.
PAP invites the general
public, media representatives, national and regional parliaments, African Union
organs, Member States, international organizations, ambassadors and partners to
take note of and participate in its public sessions. The Sitting of the
Permanent Committees aims to strengthen the PAP’s oversight, advisory, and
consultative roles through committee deliberations, caucus sessions, and
strategic engagements.
Key Dates and Sessions
Public Sessions
1. Meeting of
the PAP Bureau with African Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives, and
Deans of other Regions, accredited to the Republic of South Africa
Date: Thursday 20 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
2. Official
Opening of the Sitting of Committees
Date: Monday 24 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
3. Meetings of
Permanent Committees
Date: 24–28 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
Closed Sessions
1. Meeting of
the 6th PAP Bureau
Date: 18–19 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
2. Joint Meeting
of the PAP Bureau and Bureaus of Permanent Committees and Caucuses
Date: 21 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
3. Meeting of
the Rules, Privileges and Disciplinary Committee
Date: 17–20 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
4. Meeting of
the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs
Date: 18–20 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
5. Meeting of
the Committee on Audit and Public Accounts
Date: 18–20 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
6. Orientation
Meeting for New Members
Date: 23 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
7. Sitting of
the Regional Caucuses
Date: 23 February 2025
Time: 9:00 AM SAST
Purpose and Background
The Pan-African
Parliament currently operates through eleven Permanent Committees,
each mirroring the work and objectives of the corresponding African Union
Commissions. These Committees, each comprising a maximum of thirty
Members—except the Committee on Audit and Public Accounts, which has
fifteen—are critical in fulfilling PAP’s mandate. They convene to:
- Provide Oversight: Through
evaluation and scrutiny of AU programs and policies.
- Offer Advisory and Consultative Functions: Ensuring that the voices of African citizens and
people of African descent are represented in policy-making.
- Conduct Detailed Investigations: Enabling Parliament to address diverse issues of
concern in a timely and thorough manner.
- Implement Programs and Projects: Aligned with the recently approved PAP Strategic
Plan 2024 - 2028 and guided by the vision of the Parliament, the African
Union’s Agenda 2063 and the AU’s theme for 2025.
By convening twice a
year for Committee Sittings and two plenary sessions, the Pan-African
Parliament (PAP) ensures sustained engagement with pressing continental issues.
This Sitting is expected to set the stage for deliberations on the Theme of the
Year, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,”
with discussions centered on strategies and legislative proposals that promote
justice, equity, and reconciliation.
Expected Outcomes
- Refined Legislative Agenda: Committees will discuss and refine legislation
and recommendations that advance the AU’s theme and the PAP’s strategic
goals.
- Enhanced Oversight Mechanisms: Review of PAP’s oversight framework to ensure alignment
with Agenda 2063’s aspirations.
- Strengthened Partnerships: Collaboration with African Ambassadors, Permanent
Representatives, and various stakeholders will foster mutual understanding
and collective action.
- Capacity Building: Through
the Orientation Meeting for new Members, the PAP will bolster the
knowledge base and effectiveness of its legislative body.
Contact and Further
Information
For additional details
on logistics, sessions, and participation, kindly contact the individuals
below:
· General
inquiries about the Sitting: Ms. Lindiwe Khumalo -
Clerk of the Pan-African Parliament
Email: clerk@panafricanparliament.org
· Accreditation and
Security: Mr. Kenneth Akibate
Email: Kenneth.akibate@panafricanparliament.org
· Meetings of the
Permanent Committees: Dr. Ndidi Abanno
Email: ndidi.abanno@panafricanparliament.org
· Documentation: Mr.
Jan Jalloh
Email: jan.jalloh@panafricanparliament.org
· Protocol
Services:
Mr. Kennedy Emeana
Email:
EmeanaK@panafricanparliament.org
Mr. Ndi Essissima
Email: ndi.essissima@panafricanparliament.org
Mr. Daniel Bucane
Email: Daniel.Bucuane@panafricanparliament.org
· Media: Mr.
Jeffrey Onganga
Email: jeffrey.onganga@panafricanparliament.org
· IT Support Services: Mr.
Jacob Odada
Email: Jacob.odada@panafricanparliament.org
About the Pan-African
Parliament (PAP)
The Pan-African
Parliament, established under Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the African
Union, is mandated to ensure the full participation of African peoples in governance,
democracy, and economic integration. Through robust debates, committee work,
and stakeholder engagement, PAP seeks to drive the continent’s progressive
agenda, echoing African aspirations for unity, peace, and sustainable
development.
The February 2025 Sitting offers a crucial platform to galvanize legislative efforts and uphold the ideals enshrined in the African Union’s theme—“Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: Comment expressed do not reflect the opinion of African Parliamentary News