PAP President Explains Delay in 2025 Plenary Session, Announces New Dates and Budget Breakthrough

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has officially addressed members of the continental legislative body, explaining the reasons behind the delay in convening the first Plenary Session for 2025 and announcing new dates for PAP’s upcoming statutory meetings. In a detailed communication to Hon. Members, the President thanked them for their patience and political maturity, while offering clarity on the logistical and financial hurdles the Bureau had to navigate.

New Plenary Dates Set: 21 July – 1 August 2025

According to the President, the PAP Bureau met on Monday, 16 June 2025, and agreed on dates for the three outstanding statutory meetings of the year, including the First Ordinary Session, the second Committee Sittings, and the Second Ordinary Session. Letters are being dispatched to National Parliaments confirming that the first Plenary Session of 2025 will be held from 21 July to 1 August, excluding the customary Pre-Session Meetings. Additional details regarding those meetings will be contained in the official correspondence to national legislatures.

Why the Delay? Budgetary Constraints and AUC Authorization

The President outlined two principal reasons for the delay in announcing the dates. Firstly, he revealed that the budget initially allocated for the Plenary Session—US$450,000—was grossly inadequate, falling far below the historical PAP sessional budget of US$1.3 million. The allocation was a carryover from the pandemic-era practice of convening virtual sessions and had not been updated to reflect PAP's full return to in-person proceedings in 2022.

Secondly, given the insufficient budget, the Bureau wrote to the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson seeking express authorization to consolidate the total 2025 allocation of US$900,000 into one fully funded session, pending a supplementary allocation for the second session. The President emphasized that they could not proceed with planning in the absence of this approval, as doing so without formal authorization would risk audit flags for budgetary over-expenditure.

PRC Approves Additional US$650,000 After Intensive Engagement

While awaiting the AUC Chairperson’s decision, the PAP Bureau also engaged with the PRC Sub-Committee on General Supervision and Coordination of Budgetary, Financial and Administrative Matters (GSCBFAM) to secure a special allocation for urgent operational needs. After more than four rounds of deliberations and presentations, the PRC Sub-Committee submitted the request to the full Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), which on Saturday, 14 June 2025, approved an additional allocation of US$650,000. This welcome development unlocked the process for the Bureau to meet and finalize the Plenary dates.

Personalised Criticisms Misplaced, Says President

Addressing concerns and criticisms voiced by some Members on the PAP WhatsApp platform, the President clarified that decisions regarding statutory meetings are collective Bureau responsibilities, not unilateral actions of the President. “Views which were personalized to the President are unfortunate,” he said, adding that such decisions cannot be made without a quorum of the Bureau and the assurance of adequate resources.

A Call to Action: Lobby Your Governments for Adequate PAP Funding

President Charumbira closed his statement with a strong call to action. He reminded PAP Members that the ultimate authority over PAP’s funding lies with AU Member States, and encouraged MPs to lobby their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, PRC Ambassadors, and F15 representatives for more robust financial support. He cited Article 10 of the PAP Protocol, which guarantees allowances for MPs, and referenced the February 2025 Executive Council decision that directed the restoration of those allowances.

“Whilst we thank those Ambassadors who supported the restoration of allowances, some PRC members did not. PAP MPs need to engage,” the President urged.

Conclusion

With new Plenary dates now confirmed and an additional budgetary allocation secured, the Pan-African Parliament is set to resume its full legislative programme for 2025. The episode also highlights the persistent financial constraints faced by the continental legislature and the urgent need for sustained advocacy at the national level to ensure PAP is resourced to meet its mandate.