President Chapo of Mozambique Lauds PAP Leadership for Revitalizing the Continental Parliament

His Excellency Daniel Francisco Chapo, President of the Republic of Mozambique, welcomed the President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, and his delegation on 26 August 2025, amid the latter’s ongoing three-day bilateral visit to Mozambique’s National Assembly, running from 25 to 28 August 2025.

Strengthening the Continental Parliament

During their meeting, President Chapo commended Chief Charumbira for his instrumental role in revitalizing the Pan‑African Parliament and raising its profile in tackling Africa’s pressing challenges. Significantly, he praised the PAP’s contribution to the mediation and facilitation of a peaceful resolution to post‑election unrest in Mozambique.

Highlighting the importance of the PAP within the African Union’s legislative architecture, President Chapo called for enhanced financing and resource allocation. He pledged to mobilize support from fellow Heads of State and Government within the AU framework to reinforce the PAP’s institutional capacity and effectiveness.

PAP President Presents Challenges and Vision

In response, Chief Fortune Charumbira outlined the constraints the continental parliament faces, particularly regarding budgetary shortfalls. He underscored the necessity of affirming the PAP’s status as an independent organ of the AU, with a clear mandate that respects the principle of separation of powers, allowing the legislative body to operate autonomously and provide oversight of the executive, in line with the Union’s founding protocols.

The two leaders agreed to rally relevant stakeholders to secure a more prominent and functional role for the PAP within the evolving AU structure.

A Broader Legislative Agenda

This engagement blossomed within a broader context of PAP’s mission to integrate AU objectives into national legislative frameworks. As part of his three-day visit, Chief Charumbira delivered remarks to Mozambique’s National Assembly, highlighting the alignment of national parliaments with Agenda 2063 and the harmonization of legislation across the continent, emphasizing the PAP’s role in ensuring coherence and parliamentary diplomacy in AU policymaking.

Delegation Composition

Accompanying PAP President Charumbira were key figures including:

·       Hon. Manuel Domingos Augusto, leader of the Angolan delegation to the PAP

·       Hon. Pupurai Togarepi (Zimbabwe), Member of the PAP Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, and Chief Whip of Zimbabwe’s ruling party in the National Assembly

·       Members of Mozambique’s PAP delegation, headed by Hon. Aires Bonifácio Baptista Ali, former Prime Minister of Mozambique.

Chief Charumbira’s visit and his engagement with President Chapo signal renewed momentum in parliamentary diplomacy. With Mozambique championing stronger backing for the PAP, there is growing optimism that Africa’s continental legislature may be better positioned in pursuing its mandate of advancing legislative harmonization, democratic governance, and regional integration across the continent.