Charumbira-Led Bureau Scores Major Win as Executive Council Revisits PAP Budget and Allowances

In what has been described as a major breakthrough for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Bureau under the leadership of H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira has secured new commitments from the African Union (AU) Executive Council. At its Forty-Sixth Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Executive Council issued directives aimed at enhancing the PAP’s operational capacity, reinstating member allowances, and ensuring the legislative body can effectively fulfill its continental mandate.

Directives from the Executive Council

1. Reconsideration of the 2025 Budget and a 2025 Supplementary Budget
   The Council requested the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), through the relevant Sub-Committee, to revisit the 2025 budget of the PAP as well as a 2025 Supplementary Budget. This move seeks to secure sufficient resources for:

• Recruiting senior management and critical parliamentary and language services staff,
• Fully digitizing the Parliamentary Chamber, and
• Reducing unavoidable pressure on the PAP’s operational budget.

2. Review of the Harmonization of Allowances and Benefits:
   The Council further requested that its earlier decision, EX.CL/Dec.1057(XXXV) (adopted in 2019), be revisited with a view to restoring the allowances of PAP Members. This addresses longstanding concerns that the reduced allowances have hampered the Parliament’s ability to attract committed representatives and foster a cohesive organizational culture.

The Importance of Adequate Allowances

Established by Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the AU as the voice of African citizens, the Pan-African Parliament has a mandate to promote democracy, good governance, and regional integration. In carrying out these vital responsibilities, PAP members are often faced with unique challenges:

• Loss of National Parliamentary Sitting Allowances: When serving PAP, members forfeit allowances they would otherwise receive from their national legislatures, leading to significant personal financial drawbacks.
• Regional and International Parity: Prior to 2019, PAP allowances roughly aligned with or mirrored best practices elsewhere on the continent and globally. After the adoption of Decision EX.CL/Dec.1057(XXXV), those allowances were cut, falling well below comparable standards.

·       Impact on Motivation and Cohesion: Insufficient compensation lowered morale, leading to poor attendance at parliamentary activities and ultimately weakening the institution's effectiveness.

Recognizing these concerns, Article 10 of the PAP Protocol stipulates that members should receive allowances sufficient to cover the costs of their parliamentary duties. By revisiting the 2019 harmonization decision, the Executive Council acknowledges that PAP members require robust support to execute their legislative and oversight functions efficiently and to maintain institutional cohesion.

The Bureau’s Persistent Advocacy

Since taking office, Hon. Fortune Charumbira and his fellow Bureau members have maintained a consistent stance: PAP’s operational efficacy depends on realistic budget allocations and fair compensation structures. By relentlessly championing these issues, the Bureau has:

• Brought Attention to the 2019 Cuts: Demonstrating how reduced allowances negatively impacted member engagement and the Parliament’s broader objectives.
• Emphasized Alignment with the PAP Protocol: Insisting that any adjustments to members’ benefits or institutional budgets must be consistent with PAP’s founding legal framework.

This persistent advocacy has culminated in the Executive Council’s decision to review EX.CL/Dec.1057(XXXV) on harmonization of allowances and benefits. In effect, the Council has acknowledged the long-standing call for ensuring that PAP members and the Bureau are adequately compensated, while also providing the resources necessary for the Parliament to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

Enhancing PAP’s Operational Capacity

Beyond member allowances, the directive to re-examine the 2026 Budget and implement a 2025 Supplementary Budget holds broader implications for the Parliament’s efficiency:

1. Senior Management and Critical Staff Recruitment: With additional resources, PAP will be able to fill key roles, including parliamentary and language services personnel, ensuring effective communication and legislative drafting support.
2. Digitization of the Parliamentary Chamber: Modernizing the Chamber will enhance transparency, streamline proceedings, and enable remote collaboration—an increasingly vital feature for multinational bodies like PAP.
3. Improved Financial Stability: A recalibrated budget can alleviate pressure on PAP’s operational funds, thereby avoiding ad hoc spending constraints that risk undermining the Parliament’s mission.

Looking Ahead

The Executive Council’s latest decisions represent a turning point for the Pan-African Parliament. Through restored allowances and an augmented budget, PAP will be able to strengthen its role as a platform for continental dialogue and legislative collaboration. The Charumbira-led Bureau’s success in this regard not only showcases dogged leadership but also reaffirms the principle that Africa’s premier legislative institution must be resourced adequately to foster democracy, unity, and development.

As the Parliament moves forward, attention now turns to implementing these directives. Proper allocation and management of funds, coupled with a transparent review of member benefits, will be critical in bolstering PAP’s visibility, legitimacy and capacity. If these measures are carried out successfully, the institution will emerge stronger, more aligned with its founding vision, and fully equipped to unite African voices in tackling the continent’s most pressing challenges.