Pan-African Parliament’s Leadership Triumphs in Securing Budget Increase and Restoring Members’ Allowances

By Olu Ibekwe

The Executive Council at its 46th Ordinary Session (EX.CL/1577(XLVI)) in February 2025, took steps to reinforce the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). Underscoring PAP’s position as the organ that gives democratic legitimacy to the African Union and plays a pivotal role in promoting democracy, good governance, and continental integration, the Executive Council requested a review of the 2026 PAP budget and a Supplementary Budget for 2025. The goal is to ensure that PAP can fulfill its growing mandate—particularly by recruiting senior management and essential parliamentary staff, digitizing its chamber to modernize legislative processes, and easing the burden on its operational budget.

Among the most celebrated outcomes of the February 20-25 session is the restoration of Members’ emoluments. The Council has urged a review of Decision EX.CL/Dec.1057(XXXV)—the 2019 framework that drastically cut Members’ allowances—to reinstate these vital emoluments and enable PAP members to discharge their duties effectively. This decision signals renewed faith in PAP and its leadership’s advocacy to secure better financial resources for a more impactful Parliament.

Background and Context: The Fight to Restore Allowances

The current restoration of PAP Members’ allowances follows years of discussion and advocacy aimed at reversing the 2019 harmonization measure (Decision EX.CL/Dec.1057(XXXV)) that reduced or eliminated several key emoluments. Below is a concise review of the recent conversation and developments that led to the 2025 Executive Council resolution:

1. 2019 Harmonization Decision:

In 2019, the AU sought to harmonize allowances and benefits across its organs. PAP’s comprehensive allowance structure—covering Bureau members, Committee leaders, and general Parliamentarians—was significantly scaled down or removed altogether.

2. Contradiction with PAP Protocol:

Article 10 of the PAP Protocol explicitly requires allowances for Parliamentarians to enable them “to meet expenses in the discharge of their duties.” Reductions under the 2019 decision conflicted with this mandatory provision and eroded PAP’s autonomy.

3. Unfair Treatment and Operational Challenges:

PAP members forfeited national parliamentary allowances when serving at the continental level, making the cuts particularly detrimental. Motivation dropped, threatening parliamentary oversight, consultative, and legislative duties—just as PAP was poised to play a larger role in AU governance.

4. Comparative Disparities with Regional Parliaments:

Benchmarking indicated that other regional legislative bodies (e.g., East African Legislative Assembly, ECOWAS Parliament, and even the European Parliament) enjoy more robust support packages, underscoring the relative undervaluation of PAP members and the need for parity.

5. Renewed Advocacy and Leadership Efforts:

The Hon. Fortune Charumbira led Bureau launched a sustained campaign, drawing attention to the negative effects of the 2019 decision on institutional efficiency, member motivation, and broader governance standards. They strongly argued for aligning PAP allowances with comparable legislatures and restoring the dignity of PAP members.

6. Imperative for Institutional Cohesion:

Restoring allowances, combined with a better operational budget, is pivotal to ensuring PAP’s cohesion, reducing internal tensions, and sharpening its capacity to represent African citizens effectively. Without adequate resources, PAP risked becoming a marginal actor in AU policymaking.

Thus, the 2025 Executive Council decision to review and restore PAP Members’ emoluments reflects the culmination of years of dedicated advocacy by the PAP leadership. This success simultaneously revisits the 2019 harmonization framework while upholding the spirit of the PAP Protocol.

Commending the PAP Leadership and the Executive Council

By insisting on additional resources and pressing for the reestablishment of Members’ allowances, the PAP leadership demonstrated steadfast commitment to the Parliament’s mandate. Their advocacy not only underscores the critical importance of legislatures within African governance but also reaffirms PAP’s role as a leading platform for democratic consolidation and people-centered integration.

In turn, the Executive Council merits commendation for heeding PAP’s calls and making the strategic choice to elevate PAP’s budgetary standing. As guardians of the African Union’s collective interests, the Council has boldly affirmed the necessity of adequate legislative resourcing.

Appeal for Prompt Action by the PRC Sub-Committee

The onus now lies with the relevant Sub-Committee of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) to move swiftly and implement the Executive Council’s directives. To maintain this momentum:

1. Prompt Reinstatement of Allowances

Fast-track the restoration of PAP Members’ emoluments so they can pursue their legislative, advisory, and oversight roles with renewed vigor and legitimacy.

2. Speedy Budget Adjustments

Execute the 2025 Supplementary Budget approvals and finalize the revised 2026 PAP budget to facilitate the recruitment of senior management, essential parliamentary staff, robust language services, and the digitization of the parliamentary chamber.

3. Uphold Article 10 of the PAP Protocol

Ensure financial provisions remain consistent with the PAP Protocol and past Executive Council decisions safeguarding PAP’s operational independence.

4. Enhance Governance and Accountability

Use the new financial leeway to strengthen PAP’s internal governance structures, streamline administrative processes, and encourage greater accountability in resource utilization.

Toward a Stronger Pan-African Parliament

The Executive Council’s decisions signal renewed hope that PAP, as the legislative arm of the African Union, can act decisively to further continental integration and inclusive governance. With allowances reinstated and a bolstered budget, PAP will be better positioned to develop relevant model laws, oversight AU organs, and articulate the diverse voices of African citizens.

PAP’s leadership has shown tenacity and vision in this drive to restore resources, and it is incumbent on all stakeholders—AU organs, Member States, civil society, and citizens—to support PAP in exercising its constitutional and protocol-based mandate. When the Pan-African Parliament thrives, the entire Union benefits, demonstrating Africa’s commitment to democratic governance, transparency, and collective progress.

“The restoration of Members’ emoluments and budget augmentation will reinvigorate the Pan-African Parliament’s mission—strengthening the Parliament’s capacity to be a robust, people-centered, and results-driven institution in the African Union governance architecture.”

Together, we celebrate this milestone and encourage the PRC and its Sub-Committee to act with urgency and precision, ensuring the Parliament receives the resources it rightfully deserves to champion Africa’s development trajectory.