Justice, Reparations, and Governance: Key Themes at PAP’s Opening Session

Midrand, South Africa – 24 February 2025

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) officially opened the Fourth Ordinary Sitting of the Permanent Committees of its Sixth Parliament today, with key presentations reinforcing the urgent need for justice, reparations, and governance reform across the continent. The session, held under the African Union’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” brought together high-ranking officials, parliamentarians, and representatives of AU institutions, all advocating for a renewed commitment to Africa’s unity and development.

Keynote Address by Hon. Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud, President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

In her powerful keynote address, Hon. Lady Justice Imani Daud Aboud emphasized the critical role of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in shaping policies that advance human rights, justice, and reparations. She commended PAP’s unwavering commitment to championing democracy and legislative oversight, highlighting its integral place in the broader African Union (AU) governance structure.

Quoting Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, she stressed the necessity of African unity and self-determination, pointing out that, decades after independence, Africa still struggles with external influences and governance challenges. “To this day, we are still yearning for genuine African unity and integration. Our people seek proper structures through which they can fully express themselves, and this is where the Pan-African Parliament fits in,” she asserted.

She further urged African governments to ratify the 2014 PAP Protocol, which would grant the Parliament full legislative authority, empowering it to take decisive action on issues such as justice, governance, and reparations.

Addressing Africa’s legal landscape, Justice Aboud called on AU member states to respect the African Court’s decisions and fully integrate its rulings into national law. She lamented the non-compliance of states with the Court’s judgments, which undermines justice for victims of human rights abuses.

Welcoming Remarks by Deputy Minister Thandi Moraka

Deputy Minister Thandi Moraka of South Africa welcomed the gathering and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to supporting PAP and AU initiatives. She noted that the AU’s reparations agenda aligns with broader efforts to address Africa’s debt challenges, inequality, and exclusion, highlighting the historical precedents set by the Abuja Pan-African Conference on Reparations (1993) and the Durban World Conference Against Racism (2001).

She praised the newly elected leadership of the AU, emphasizing that Africa needs visionary leaders capable of steering the continent towards prosperity. She also called for a coordinated strategy to combat economic and governance crises that continue to plague various AU member states.

On gender issues, Moraka celebrated the adoption of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, urging PAP members to ensure its domestication and implementation in their respective countries.

PAP’s Role in Driving Reparatory Justice and Economic Sovereignty

Both speakers underscored the crucial role that PAP must play in advocating for reparatory justice and economic sovereignty. They pointed out that Africa, despite its vast resources, remains economically disadvantaged due to historical exploitation and structural inequalities perpetuated by international financial institutions.

Hon. Justice Aboud called on PAP to lead the charge in drafting legislative frameworks that hold former colonial powers accountable for reparations. She urged the Parliament to engage international bodies, regional economic communities, and national parliaments to push for legally binding agreements on reparatory justice.

Strategic Collaborations for a Just and Prosperous Africa

As deliberations continue in the coming days, the Pan-African Parliament is expected to:

• Strengthen legislative oversight on reparations and governance reform.
• Engage international institutions and advocate for Africa’s rightful place in the global order.
• Push for full ratification of PAP’s legislative authority across all AU member states.
• Support initiatives to address economic sovereignty and the responsible management of Africa’s natural resources.

With these commitments in place, PAP aims to emerge from this session with tangible policy recommendations and legislative strategies that will drive Africa’s justice agenda, governance transformation, and sustainable economic growth.

Conclusion

The opening session of the Fourth Ordinary Sitting of the Permanent Committees of PAP has set a decisive tone for discussions ahead. With strong leadership, strategic collaborations, and a renewed dedication to justice and reparations, the Pan-African Parliament is poised to play a critical role in advancing Africa’s interests, defending its sovereignty, and championing the cause of African unity and progress.