PAP and South African Parliament Reaffirm Pan-African Commitment Ahead of Seventh Legislature Session

MIDRAND, South Africa, 17 July 2026: The leadership of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Parliament of South Africa has reaffirmed its shared commitment to Pan-Africanism, continental integration and stronger parliamentary cooperation ahead of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature.

The President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, held bilateral talks with the Speaker of South Africa’s National Assembly, Hon. Angela Thokozile “Thoko” Didiza, at the continental Parliament’s headquarters in Midrand.

The engagement came as PAP prepares to convene its First Permanent Committee Sittings and First Ordinary Session from 20 July to 1 August 2026. Preparatory activities began on 17 July, bringing the broader statutory programme to a start ahead of the formal committee and plenary proceedings.

During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their dedication to the ideals of African unity, solidarity and integration, while emphasizing the importance of a strong and effective Pan-African Parliament capable of representing the aspirations of African citizens.

Dr. Boutbig thanked South Africa for its longstanding role as host of the continental Parliament and for the institutional, logistical and political support provided to PAP. He said South Africa’s continued assistance remained essential to the Parliament’s ability to fulfil its mandate and address the pressing challenges facing the continent.

The PAP President also expressed appreciation to Speaker Didiza for helping to facilitate the expected participation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in the official opening of the Ordinary Session. He described such high-level participation as a powerful demonstration of South Africa’s continued commitment to Pan-Africanism and to strengthening PAP as the representative voice of Africa’s peoples.

South Africa pledges continued engagement

Speaker Didiza reiterated the South African Parliament’s support for PAP and pledged to remain fully engaged in its programmes and institutional processes.

South Africa has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the Host Country Agreement governing PAP’s presence in Midrand. At the Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments in September 2024, Speaker Didiza also expressed support for the development of a permanent seat for PAP and urged the continental institution to play a stronger coordinating role in African parliamentary diplomacy.

The latest meeting builds on an earlier virtual engagement held in May 2026 between Speaker Didiza and the newly elected PAP Bureau. That meeting was the Bureau’s first bilateral engagement after assuming office on 30 April and focused on deepening cooperation between the two institutions.

Dr. Boutbig also acknowledged South Africa’s support for the effective conduct of PAP proceedings, including its approval of the secondment of a Serjeant-at-Arms to assist during plenary sessions.

The discussions reflected the historically close relations between South Africa and Algeria, including their shared liberation histories, political solidarity and commitment to African sovereignty and integration.

Operational matters raised

Beyond the reaffirmation of Pan-African principles, the bilateral engagement provided an opportunity to discuss practical matters affecting PAP’s operations in South Africa.

Among the issues raised was the ongoing review of the Host Country Agreement between the South African Government and the African Union Commission. The revised agreement is expected to provide greater clarity concerning PAP’s privileges, immunities, facilities and other operational arrangements.

South Africa previously reported that the review had reached an advanced stage, describing it as part of the country’s commitment to ensuring that the continental Parliament could continue to grow and function effectively.

Dr. Boutbig also drew attention to visa difficulties experienced by some PAP members travelling to South Africa for statutory meetings. Delays in processing visas can affect committee attendance, parliamentary quorum and the timely conduct of official business.

The PAP President proposed consideration of a special long-term, multiple-entry visa arrangement for accredited parliamentarians and designated officials who travel regularly to South Africa on PAP business. He further suggested that visas on arrival could be considered for members travelling from countries without resident South African diplomatic missions.

Dialogue on xenophobia and African migration

The meeting also addressed recurring incidents of xenophobic hostility and violence against African migrants in South Africa.

Dr. Boutbig noted that such incidents were inconsistent with the principles of African solidarity, regional integration and the free movement of people envisaged under the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

While acknowledging calls by some PAP members for the matter to be debated during the forthcoming plenary session, the PAP President emphasized the value of constructive dialogue and parliament-to-parliament diplomacy involving PAP, the South African Parliament and relevant government institutions.

Such engagement, he maintained, could help identify sustainable solutions while preserving relations among African states and addressing the social and economic conditions that often contribute to tensions between citizens and migrants.

Protecting institutional capacity

The PAP President further raised concerns about proposals that could result in the withdrawal of special allowances paid to locally recruited staff of the Parliament.

He cautioned that removing the allowances could negatively affect staff morale, retention and the delivery of essential parliamentary services. The allowances were introduced to cushion local personnel against inflation and the cost of living and have reportedly been paid for several years.

Dr. Boutbig sought Speaker Didiza’s support in engaging South Africa’s representatives within the African Union’s Permanent Representatives Committee to ensure that PAP personnel receive treatment consistent with that afforded to local staff of comparable AU institutions.

Strengthening PAP’s continental role

The two leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation between PAP and the South African Parliament in promoting democracy, constitutional governance, peace, human rights and regional integration.

The meeting also underscored the responsibility of national and continental parliaments to translate Agenda 2063 from a continental vision into legislation, oversight, public participation and concrete improvements in citizens’ lives.

The forthcoming Ordinary Session will bring together parliamentarians from across Africa to deliberate on issues affecting continental development and integration. It will be the first full statutory session under the PAP Bureau elected on 30 April 2026 and represents an important opportunity for the Seventh Legislature to establish its institutional and policy priorities.

Dr. Boutbig formally invited Speaker Didiza to deliver welcome remarks on behalf of the host Parliament during the official opening ceremony and to participate in the Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments scheduled as part of the session.

The engagement concluded with both leaders expressing confidence that deeper cooperation between PAP and the Parliament of South Africa would strengthen African parliamentary diplomacy and advance the collective interests of the continent and its people.