Boutbig Elected PAP President as New Bureau Emerges to Lead Seventh Legislature

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative organ of the African Union, has entered a new leadership phase following the election of its Bureau at the Extraordinary Session held in Midrand, South Africa. The election, conducted on April 30, 2026, marks a significant institutional transition after the expiration of the Sixth Bureau’s mandate earlier in the year.

At the centre of this transition is the election of H.E. Hon. Fateh Boutbig of Algeria as President of the Pan-African Parliament, alongside four Vice-Presidents representing Africa’s five regions forming the Bureau of the Seventh Legislature.

A New Bureau Reflecting Continental Balance

The newly elected leadership reflects the African Union’s principle of regional rotation and equitable representation:

·       President (North Africa): Hon. Fateh Boutbig – Algeria

·       First Vice-President (East Africa): Hon. Dr Ashebir Gayo – Ethiopia

·       Second Vice-President (West Africa): Hon. Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings – Ghana

·       Third Vice-President (Central Africa): Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat – Chad

·       Fourth Vice-President (Southern Africa): Hon. Arlete da Visitação – Angola

Collectively, the Bureau serves as the principal leadership and administrative organ of the Parliament, responsible for strategic direction, institutional governance, and oversight of parliamentary operations.

Fateh Boutbig: A Reform-Oriented Continental Legislator

The election of Hon. Fateh Boutbig signals a shift toward reform-driven leadership within the Parliament. A seasoned legislator and legal practitioner, Boutbig has built a reputation within PAP circles as a consensus-builder with strong grounding in legislative affairs and arbitration.

His campaign for the presidency was anchored on a clear reform agenda, focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of the Parliament, enhancing its role in advancing Africa’s integration, and promoting a more people-driven approach that deepens citizen engagement. He also placed strong emphasis on reasserting Africa’s voice in global governance, positioning the Pan-African Parliament as a more influential actor on the international stage.

Boutbig’s emergence reflects not only growing regional consolidation within North Africa, but also a broader appetite among members for leadership with the experience and strategic clarity to navigate the Parliament’s ongoing institutional and governance challenges.

Vice-Presidents: Experience Across Regions

East Africa – Dr Ashebir Gayo (Ethiopia)

Dr Ashebir Gayo brings continuity and institutional experience to the Bureau. Having previously served within PAP leadership structures, he is widely regarded as a technocratic figure with strong familiarity with parliamentary procedures and AU institutional frameworks. His role is expected to be pivotal in ensuring operational stability within the new Bureau.

West Africa – Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings (Ghana)

A prominent parliamentarian and international policy voice, Dr Zanetor Rawlings, daughter of former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings has distinguished herself in areas of governance, security, and development policy. Her election strengthens West Africa’s influence within PAP and introduces a reform-oriented, globally engaged perspective into the Bureau.

Central Africa – Djidda Mamar Mahamat (Chad)

Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat is one of the more experienced figures within PAP’s leadership ecosystem. Having previously served in the Bureau, he brings institutional memory and procedural expertise, particularly in managing electoral processes and internal parliamentary dynamics.

Southern Africa – Arlete da Visitação (Angola)

Hon. Arlete da Visitação represents Southern Africa’s diplomatic and legislative tradition within PAP. Known for her engagement in regional parliamentary diplomacy, her role is expected to reinforce Southern Africa’s longstanding influence in shaping PAP’s strategic direction.

A Leadership Transition at a Critical Moment

The election comes at a pivotal moment for the Pan-African Parliament, as the institution continues to confront a complex mix of structural, political, and operational challenges. At the heart of these is the enduring question of its institutional autonomy within the broader African Union system, an issue that has increasingly shaped debates around governance, authority, and the limits of external oversight.

Compounding this are persistent budgetary constraints and operational pressures, which have affected the Parliament’s ability to fully execute its mandate and sustain its activities at the desired level. At the same time, there is a growing recognition among members and stakeholders of the need to enhance the Parliament’s legislative authority and overall relevance within the AU architecture, moving beyond a largely advisory role toward a more impactful, law-making institution.

Equally significant are mounting calls for deeper citizen engagement and greater visibility, as the Parliament seeks to bridge the gap between its continental mandate and the everyday realities of African citizens. Strengthening this connection is increasingly seen as essential to bolstering its legitimacy and effectiveness.

Against this backdrop, the mandate of the newly elected Bureau extends far beyond routine administration. It is, fundamentally, strategic and transformational. The new leadership is expected to restore confidence in the institution, assert and strengthen its legislative role, and reposition the Pan-African Parliament as a credible and influential voice in Africa’s governance landscape.

What This Means for the Seventh Legislature

With a leadership team drawn from across Africa’s five regions, the Seventh Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament begins its work with a clear and demanding mandate. At its core is the imperative to reinforce unity across regional blocs an essential condition for effective decision-making in a body where geopolitical interests and regional dynamics often intersect. Building consensus will not be optional; it will be the foundation upon which the credibility and functionality of the new Bureau rest.

Closely tied to this is the need to confront and resolve the structural and governance tensions that have, in recent years, shaped the Parliament’s internal discourse. Questions relating to procedure, authority, and institutional coherence must be addressed with clarity and decisiveness if the Parliament is to move forward with stability and purpose.

Beyond its internal dynamics, the Seventh Legislature is also expected to play a more assertive role in advancing the African Union’s Agenda 2063. This will require a deliberate use of parliamentary diplomacy: leveraging the Parliament’s continental platform to influence policy alignment, promote integration, and ensure that the aspirations of Agenda 2063 are reflected in national and regional legislative frameworks.

Equally critical is the task of strengthening the Parliament’s oversight and legislative functions. For too long, questions have persisted about the extent of PAP’s influence within the AU architecture. The new leadership is expected to push for a more robust role: one that enhances accountability, deepens scrutiny of continental policies, and gradually builds toward a more effective legislative mandate.

For President Boutbig, however, the real test begins now. The expectations generated during the campaign must translate into tangible institutional outcomes. This will require not only political skill and strategic clarity, but also the ability to navigate the delicate and often contested balance between the Parliament’s quest for autonomy and the broader governance framework of the African Union. How effectively this balance is managed will, in many ways, define the success or limitations of the Seventh Legislature.

Bottom line:

The election of Fateh Boutbig and his team is more than a routine leadership change: it is a defining moment for the Pan-African Parliament. Whether this new Bureau can deliver meaningful reform will determine not just the credibility of the institution, but its future relevance in Africa’s governance architecture.