MIDRAND, South Africa — The President of the Pan-African
Parliament (PAP), H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, has intensified the
continental legislature’s diplomatic outreach through a series of high-level
engagements aimed at strengthening Africa’s parliamentary, political and
development partnerships with institutions and countries across the world.
The meetings, held
during the ongoing Sitting of the Permanent Committees of the First Ordinary
Session of the Seventh Legislature, brought President Boutbig together
with representatives of the League of Arab States, China, the Sahrawi Arab
Democratic Republic, Cuba, Venezuela and Azerbaijan.
The PAP President also
held separate engagements with the Ambassadors of Egypt and Saudi Arabia,
reflecting the growing interest among Africa’s international partners in
engaging the continental Parliament as a platform for political dialogue,
parliamentary cooperation and people-centred development.
The consultations
represent a significant element of President Boutbig’s emerging
diplomatic agenda following his election as President of the Pan-African
Parliament on 30 April 2026. His election, together with that of the other
members of the Bureau representing Africa’s five geographical regions, formally
inaugurated the leadership of the Seventh Legislature.
They also took place as
the Parliament conducts the First Ordinary Session of its Seventh Legislature,
which includes meetings of Permanent Committees and Caucuses, a plenary sitting
and engagements with national and regional parliaments.
League of Arab States
and PAP Advance Arab–African Cooperation
A central feature of the
diplomatic programme was the meeting between President Boutbig and H.E.
Ambassador Riyad Al-Akbari, Head of the Mission of the League of Arab
States in South Africa.
The consultations
focused on deepening cooperation between African and Arab institutions and
identifying practical areas in which the League of Arab States, the African
Union, the Arab Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament could work together.
Speaking to the media
after the meeting, Ambassador Al-Akbari described the
discussions as constructive and forward-looking. He conveyed greetings from the
Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, H.E. Nabil Fahmy, and wished
President Boutbig success in leading the Pan-African Parliament during the
Seventh Legislature.
Nabil Fahmy, a former
Egyptian Foreign Minister, formally assumed office as Secretary-General of the
League of Arab States on 1 July 2026, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
“Today’s meeting was
extremely important in advancing cooperation between the League of Arab States
and the African Union, as well as between the Arab Parliament and the
Pan-African Parliament,” Ambassador Al-Akbari said.
The discussions
identified opportunities for cooperation in parliamentary diplomacy, economic
development, social advancement and institutional engagement.
These areas provide a
broad platform for future collaboration, including closer exchanges between
parliamentarians, coordinated positions on international issues, economic and
trade dialogue, youth and women’s empowerment, cultural cooperation and
stronger interaction between African and Arab peoples.
Palestinian Question
Features Prominently
The Palestinian question
featured prominently in the consultations between President Boutbig and the
League of Arab States representative.
Ambassador Al-Akbari described the situation of the Palestinian
people as a matter of shared concern for the Arab world, Africa and the wider international
community, particularly in relation to occupation, displacement and racial
discrimination.
The two sides agreed on
the importance of initiatives that reflect the longstanding solidarity of
African and Arab peoples with Palestinians and mobilize stronger parliamentary
support for their rights.
Parliamentary diplomacy
can play an important complementary role in this regard. Although governments
remain responsible for conducting formal diplomatic relations, parliaments can
build political consensus, promote public awareness, scrutinize national
policies and encourage coordinated international action.
Ambassador Al-Akbari said parliamentary institutions could help
translate the historic solidarity between African and Arab peoples into
practical political cooperation.
“We found a strong
common foundation between African and Arab institutions, peoples and
governments,” he said.
“We are confident that
our relations will be further strengthened in the coming period and that our
joint work will serve the interests and aspirations of both the African and
Arab peoples.”
The engagement offers an
opportunity for the PAP and Arab Parliament to move towards more structured
cooperation through institutional dialogue, parliamentary exchanges, joint
conferences and coordinated advocacy on issues of mutual concern.
China and PAP Lay
Groundwork for Closer Institutional Relations
President Boutbig also received the Ambassador of the
People’s Republic of China to South Africa, H.E. Wu Peng, in a
meeting that laid the groundwork for closer cooperation between the Pan-African
Parliament and China’s National People’s Congress.
Addressing the media following
the courtesy call, Ambassador Wu said the Chinese Government
and the National People’s Congress were committed to establishing a close and
mutually supportive relationship with the continental Parliament.
“As the Chinese
Ambassador to South Africa, I paid a courtesy call on the President of the
Pan-African Parliament. The Chinese Government and the National People’s
Congress are committed to establishing a close relationship with the
Pan-African Parliament,” he said.
The discussions explored
cooperation in political engagement, economic development, trade, culture and
people-to-people exchanges.
According to Ambassador
Wu, the meeting produced fruitful outcomes that both sides intend to pursue
through continued engagement.
“We discussed how we can
offer each other strong support in the political, economic, trade and cultural
fields, as well as through people-to-people exchanges. We reached fruitful
outcomes, which we will follow up,” he stated.
Institutional
cooperation between the Pan-African Parliament and the National People’s
Congress could create an additional parliamentary dimension to China–Africa
relations.
Beyond diplomatic
consultations, the relationship could support legislative exchanges in areas
such as infrastructure development, industrialization, digital transformation,
agriculture, renewable energy, public health, education and vocational
training.
It could also enable
African parliamentarians to contribute more directly to discussions about the
implementation, impact and sustainability of China-supported development
programmes across the continent.
Ambassador Wu
highlighted the PAP’s potential contribution to both China–Africa relations and
Africa’s development.
“The Pan-African
Parliament can play a very important role in strengthening China–Africa
relations. It can also make an even greater contribution to promoting economic
and social development across the African continent,” he said.
The challenge for both
institutions will be to translate the goodwill expressed during the meeting into
clearly defined programmes, sustained parliamentary dialogue and measurable
development outcomes.
Sahrawi Republic Calls
for Continued African Solidarity
The Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic to
South Africa, H.E. Abah El-Med Abdallah, also paid a courtesy call
on President Boutbig.
The discussions covered
matters of mutual political interest and explored opportunities for stronger
engagement between the Sahrawi Government and the Pan-African Parliament.
Ambassador Abdallah described the meeting as an important step
towards strengthening cooperation and advancing shared African priorities.
“It was a pleasure to
meet the President of the Pan-African Parliament. During our discussions, we
agreed on many issues that will shape the future of our relationship,” he said.
The Ambassador expressed
confidence in President Boutbig’s leadership and in the capacity of the
Pan-African Parliament to advance Africa’s collective aspirations.
He called upon African
institutions to remain committed to justice, liberation and solidarity with
peoples seeking self-determination. He particularly urged the Pan-African
Parliament to continue supporting the Sahrawi people.
The Sahrawi Arab
Democratic Republic is one of the African Union’s 55 Member States and has been
a member of the continental organization since joining the former Organization
of African Unity in 1982.
The meeting therefore
carried both institutional and political significance. As an organ of the
African Union, the PAP provides a forum through which parliamentarians can
deliberate on peace, security, human rights, decolonization and
self-determination.
The engagement also
reaffirmed the principle of African solutions to African problems, with both
sides recognizing the responsibility of continental institutions to address
Africa’s political challenges through dialogue, solidarity and collective
action.
Ambassador Abdallah wished President Boutbig success
and expressed his commitment to continued engagement with the continental
Parliament.
Cuba and PAP Seek
Stronger Parliamentary Cooperation
President Boutbig’s diplomatic consultations also included a
meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic
of Cuba to South Africa, H.E. Fakri RodrÃguez Pinelo.
The engagement explored
opportunities for cooperation between the Pan-African Parliament and Cuba’s
National Assembly of People’s Power.
“We are very pleased to
have had this exchange with the President. We held a very good conversation
about the collaboration and cooperation that can be developed between the
Pan-African Parliament and the Cuban Parliament,” Ambassador RodrÃguez Pinelo
said.
The proposed cooperation
would build upon the longstanding relationship between Cuba and Africa, shaped
by liberation struggles, international solidarity and decades of Cuban support
in sectors such as health, education and professional training.
Parliamentary
cooperation could help preserve this historic relationship while adapting it to
contemporary development challenges.
Possible areas of
collaboration include exchanges between parliamentary committees, cooperation
in public health legislation, medical training, biotechnology, education,
disaster preparedness, sports development and cultural diplomacy.
The two parliaments
could also exchange experiences on South–South cooperation and the role of
legislatures in ensuring that international partnerships respond to the needs
of citizens.
Ambassador RodrÃguez
Pinelo described the
engagement as productive and expressed Cuba’s appreciation to the PAP President
for receiving the delegation.
“Today’s meeting was
very productive. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the
Pan-African Parliament and its President for receiving us, and we hope this
engagement will mark the beginning of meaningful collaboration,” he said.
The meeting reaffirmed a
shared commitment to strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and maintaining the
historic bonds of friendship between Cuba and Africa.
Venezuela and PAP Commit
to Concrete Cooperation
The Ambassador of the
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to South Africa, H.E. Carlos Feo
Acevedo, also met President Boutbig to discuss
stronger friendship, solidarity and parliamentary cooperation between Venezuela
and Africa.
Ambassador Feo Acevedo expressed the gratitude of the Venezuelan
Government and people for the solidarity conveyed by President Boutbig following
the devastating earthquakes that struck the country on 24 June 2026.
The two powerful
earthquakes, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, caused widespread destruction
in northern Venezuela and triggered a major humanitarian emergency.
“We are deeply grateful
and honoured to have met with the President of the Pan-African Parliament, who
expressed his solidarity regarding the devastating earthquakes suffered by our
country,” Ambassador Feo Acevedo said.
The Ambassador said both
sides had committed themselves to strengthening relations between the
Pan-African Parliament, the Venezuelan Parliament and the peoples they
represent.
Importantly, he
emphasized the need to translate that commitment into practical action.
“We deeply appreciate
these commitments, and we will work hard to ensure that they are transformed
into concrete actions,” he said.
The engagement also
highlighted the broader potential for stronger relations between Africa, Latin
America and the Caribbean.
These regions share
experiences of colonialism, struggles for national sovereignty and continuing
efforts to establish a more equitable international economic order. Their
parliaments can play an important role in building stronger South–South
cooperation in agriculture, energy, education, health, culture, climate
resilience and disaster response.
“The relations of
friendship and cooperation between Africa and Venezuela, as well as Latin
America and the Caribbean, are essential to advancing the development of our
countries and the well-being of our people,” Ambassador Feo Acevedo stated.
The meeting consequently
placed parliamentary cooperation within a wider vision of solidarity and
development linking Africa with Latin America and the Caribbean.
Azerbaijan and PAP Renew
Institutional Dialogue
President Boutbig also received the Ambassador of the
Republic of Azerbaijan to South Africa, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Hüseyin
Rahimli.
During the courtesy
call, Ambassador Rahimli formally presented a letter to the
PAP President, conveyed his congratulations and wished him success in leading
Africa’s continental Parliament.
The engagement built
upon established relations between Azerbaijan and the PAP, which gained further
visibility through the Parliament’s participation in the 29th United Nations
Climate Change Conference, COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan in 2024.
At COP29, the Pan-African
Parliament advocated stronger climate finance, equitable adaptation strategies
and climate justice for a continent that contributes relatively little to
global greenhouse-gas emissions but remains disproportionately affected by
droughts, floods, food insecurity and other consequences of climate change.
The renewed engagement
provides an opportunity for PAP and Azerbaijani parliamentary institutions to
broaden their relationship beyond climate diplomacy.
Potential areas include
renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, environmental legislation, digital
development, education, investment promotion and institutional exchanges.
The courtesy call
reaffirmed the two sides’ commitment to advancing mutually beneficial
cooperation between Azerbaijan and Africa through parliamentary diplomacy.
Diplomatic Engagement
Raises PAP’s International Profile
Taken together, the
meetings indicate a deliberate effort by President Boutbig to
increase the Pan-African Parliament’s visibility and diplomatic relevance at
the beginning of the Seventh Legislature.
The PAP was established
as a platform through which the peoples of Africa could participate more fully
in discussions and decision-making on the continent’s challenges. Its
international partnerships should therefore complement, not replace its central
responsibilities to African citizens.
Well-structured
parliamentary diplomacy can strengthen that mandate by providing access to
legislative expertise, development cooperation, political support and wider
international networks.
The recent engagements
also demonstrate the diversity of the PAP’s diplomatic reach. They connect the
institution with the Arab world, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and
individual African Union Member States.
Such geographical
breadth is important in a changing global environment in which Africa seeks
diversified partnerships and a stronger voice in international decision-making.
However, diplomatic
activity will ultimately be assessed by its results. Courtesy calls and
declarations of goodwill must be followed by institutional frameworks, clear
priorities and sustained implementation.
This could include
memoranda of understanding, parliamentary friendship groups, regular
consultations, committee-to-committee cooperation, staff exchanges, joint
research, capacity-building programmes and coordinated positions at
international forums.
From Diplomatic Goodwill
to Practical Outcomes
The engagements present
the Pan-African Parliament with an opportunity to build a coherent
external-relations strategy for the Seventh Legislature.
Rather than treating
each meeting as an isolated diplomatic event, the PAP could identify common
areas of cooperation across its partnerships.
These may include:
· strengthening parliamentary oversight of
international agreements;
· promoting trade, investment and economic
transformation;
· supporting climate justice and adaptation
finance;
· advancing peace, security and conflict
resolution;
· promoting food security, health and education;
· expanding youth, women and cultural exchanges;
· strengthening cooperation between parliamentary
committees; and
· ensuring that international partnerships produce
tangible benefits for African citizens.
Follow-up mechanisms
will be particularly important. Each engagement should lead to defined
responsibilities, proposed timelines and regular reporting to the Bureau and
relevant Permanent Committees.
The Permanent Committees
can provide the technical and political structures through which commitments
made during diplomatic meetings are converted into programmes of action.
For example, cooperation
with China could involve the committees responsible for trade, transport,
education and economic affairs. Engagement with Azerbaijan could support the
work of the committee responsible for agriculture, the environment and natural
resources. Cooperation with Cuba could involve committees addressing health,
education and social development.
Similarly, dialogue with
the League of Arab States, Venezuela and the Sahrawi Republic could support the
PAP’s work on international relations, human rights, peace and security.
A More Active
Continental Parliamentary Platform
President Boutbig’s diplomatic engagements reflect an ambition
to position the Pan-African Parliament as a more active participant in Africa’s
international relations.
The meetings have opened
avenues for stronger cooperation with major global partners, historic allies
and regional institutions. They have also reinforced the value of parliamentary
diplomacy as a means of promoting dialogue, solidarity and development.
The next phase must
focus on institutionalizing the relationships, defining practical programmes
and ensuring that cooperation supports the priorities of the African Union and
the aspirations of African citizens.
As the Seventh
Legislature takes shape, the success of the PAP’s international outreach will
depend not simply on the number of diplomatic engagements it conducts, but on
its ability to translate those engagements into lasting partnerships, stronger
parliamentary institutions and measurable benefits for the continent.
By combining principled
solidarity with practical cooperation, the Pan-African Parliament can
strengthen its international profile while remaining firmly anchored in its
primary responsibility: representing the voices, interests and aspirations of
the people of Africa.
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