AU Chair João Lourenço Meets Pan-African Parliament at 39th Assembly, Reaffirms Support

By Olu Ibekwe

Addis Ababa, 15 February 2026: H.E. João Lourenço, President of Angola and outgoing Chairperson of the African Union, met with the leadership of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, reaffirming his commitment to the continental Parliament as he prepared to hand over the AU Chairmanship to Burundi.

During the high-level engagement, President Lourenço was briefed on key 2025 milestones achieved by PAP, including its strengthened oversight through participation in AU Election Observation Missions, structured debates on justice and reparations, and the adoption of three continental Model Laws aimed at advancing legislative harmonization and African integration.

Appreciation for Support During AU Chairmanship

During the meeting, the Pan-African Parliament delegation conveyed its gratitude to President Lourenço for his steadfast support of the Parliament throughout his tenure as Chairperson of the Union. The delegation acknowledged the importance of executive backing in strengthening coordination among AU organs and advancing institutional stability within the continental architecture.

The meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the collaborative engagements between the Union’s political leadership and its parliamentary arm during a period marked by governance reform discussions, peace and security challenges, and intensified continental diplomacy.

Briefing on 2025 Milestones

President Lourenço was briefed on key milestones achieved by the Pan-African Parliament in 2025, highlighting a year of expanded activity and strategic positioning.

Foremost among these was the Parliament’s enhanced oversight role through participation in AU Election Observation Missions, reinforcing its contribution to democratic processes across Member States. The delegation also highlighted PAP’s structured discussions on justice and reparations, an area gaining increasing prominence within the Union’s thematic agenda.

In addition, the President was apprised of PAP’s parliamentary diplomacy efforts, which have extended the Parliament’s engagement beyond plenary deliberations to structured interactions with global legislative partners and multilateral forums.

Commendation for Continental Model Laws

President Lourenço commended the Pan-African Parliament for the adoption of three continental Model Laws in 2025:

·       Model Law on Labour Migration in Africa

·       Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity

·       Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management in Africa

He noted that these instruments represent tangible strides toward harmonizing legislative frameworks across Member States and advancing continental integration.

The development of Model Laws is widely regarded as a core normative function of the Parliament, offering Member States guiding templates to strengthen national legislation while promoting policy convergence in key sectors affecting economic mobility, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

Commitment Beyond Tenure

As he prepared to conclude his tenure as Chairperson of the Union, President Lourenço reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Pan-African Parliament beyond his chairmanship. He expressed confidence in the institution’s future trajectory and its expanding role within the African Union’s governance system.

The meeting concluded on a note of continuity and institutional optimism. At a moment of leadership transition within the Union, the engagement highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration between the Assembly and the Pan-African Parliament ensuring that Africa’s parliamentary voice remains an integral component of the continent’s collective governance and integration agenda.