PAP President Calls for Stronger Civil Society Partnerships at 5th Africa PEMO Conference

Pretoria, 16 September 2025 — The 5th Annual Africa Parliamentary Engagement and Monitoring Organisations (PEMO) Conference opened on Tuesday at the University of Pretoria under the theme “Getting Back on Track: Renewing the Dialogue Between Legislatures and Civil Society.”

The three-day gathering, co-hosted by the Africa Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations Network (APMON), the Parliamentary Monitoring Group (PMG), and the Southern Africa Coalition of NGOs (SAf-CNGO), brings together parliamentarians, civil society leaders, regional parliamentary bodies, and media partners from twenty-nine African countries to strengthen cooperation and accountability in governance.

Setting the Tone: Keynote by Hon. Yvonne Dausab

In her keynote, Hon. Yvonne Dausab, former Minister of Justice of Namibia, reflected on the responsibilities of legislatures and civil society “in times of unparalleled crisis.” She stressed that deepened collaboration between citizens and their representatives is vital for democratic resilience in a period marked by political instability, economic shocks, and global disruptions.

Chief Charumbira: Engaging the Pan-African Parliament

Delivering a special address on “Engaging the Pan-African Parliament,” H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), positioned the continental legislature as the “voice of African citizens, advocating for their rights, aspirations, and priorities”.

He underscored that PAP’s legitimacy rests on close partnerships with civil society:

·       Partnership for Accountability and Governance: Civil society organizations (CSOs) provide on-the-ground insights, monitor institutions, and ensure the PAP upholds commitments to democracy, rights, and good governance.

·       Citizen Participation: He insisted that citizens must move from being “passive observers” to active participants in parliamentary processes, amplifying women, youth, and rural voices.

·       Policy Enrichment: CSOs, through their research and grassroots experience, strengthen the PAP’s capacity for evidence-based legislation, oversight, and the domestication of AU instruments.

·       Agenda 2063: He tied these engagements directly to Africa’s long-term development vision, stressing that CSO partnerships make policies sustainable and people-driven.

Charumbira particularly welcomed the expanded Open Parliament Index (OPI) covering 33 African legislatures, calling it “a credible and evidence-based tool” for measuring transparency, accountability, and citizen participation.

Challenges and Opportunities

The PAP President did not shy away from acknowledging persistent obstacles. He noted that limited legislative powers, shallow citizen engagement, and mistrust between institutions and civil society remain pressing issues. However, he expressed optimism, pointing to Africa’s dynamic civil society, its engaged youth population, and the expanding use of technology as tools to deepen democracy.

Reaffirmed Commitments

Looking ahead, Charumbira reaffirmed PAP’s commitment to:

·       Strengthening oversight mechanisms across AU member states;

·       Supporting the domestication and implementation of AU treaties and protocols;

·       Enhancing collaboration with monitoring networks and CSOs across all regions; and

·       Championing gender equality, youth inclusion, and marginalized voices in parliamentary processes.

Why It Matters

The 5th Africa PEMO Conference is taking place at a critical juncture. Across the continent, fragile democracies face executive overreach, coups, corruption, and weak citizen engagement. The conference seeks to rebuild trust and renew the channels through which citizens can shape parliamentary processes.

By placing the Pan-African Parliament at the center of dialogue with civil society, Chief Charumbira’s message aligned with the conference’s core objectives: strengthening constructive engagement, sharing cross-regional lessons, and building sustainable mechanisms for openness and accountability.

As the sessions continue through 18 September, including case studies, parallel thematic discussions, and the launch of the Open Parliament Index 2024, the conference stands as both a forum for reflection and a platform for action to ensure that Africa’s parliaments live up to the democratic mandate of “One Africa, One Voice.”