Boutbig Advances PAP Reform and African Peace Diplomacy at IPU Assembly

PAP President Boutbig discusses reforms with African parliamentary leaders and an African role in Ukraine peace efforts at the IPU Assembly in Arusha.

ARUSHA, Tanzania — The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, has held bilateral engagements with parliamentary leaders from Zimbabwe, Ghana, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Chad and Ukraine, combining efforts to strengthen the continental Parliament with discussions on Africa’s contribution to international peace diplomacy.

The meetings, held on the margins of the ongoing 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), addressed the promotion of the Malabo Protocol, institutional reforms, cooperation with national and regional legislatures, continuity in member-state representation and dialogue towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The engagements reflect President Boutbig’s effort to build support for PAP’s institutional development while strengthening its contribution to parliamentary dialogue on regional and international challenges.

Zimbabwe: Building Consensus on the Malabo Protocol

During his meeting with Rt. Hon. Adv. Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of Zimbabwe’s National Assembly, President Boutbig discussed closer cooperation between the two institutions and the promotion of the 2014 Revised Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the African Union Relating to the Pan-African Parliament, commonly known as the Malabo Protocol.

The leaders agreed to work together to examine the Protocol, develop harmonized positions and build consensus in support of its promotion and ratification.

Adopted on 27 June 2014, the Malabo Protocol is intended to expand PAP’s powers when it enters into force. According to the PAP release on the meeting, 15 African Union member states have ratified the instrument, against the 28 ratifications required for its entry into force.

The agreement highlights the importance of sustained parliamentary advocacy. Advancing ratification requires political understanding of the Protocol’s provisions, engagement with governments and support within the national institutions responsible for the ratification process.

President Boutbig also shared his vision for PAP’s institutional development, including the proposed establishment of its first Centre for Legislative Studies. He indicated that he would draw on Speaker Mudenda’s experience as he leads the continental institution.

Speaker Mudenda welcomed the vision and expressed his readiness to contribute advice and recommendations towards its implementation.

Such a centre could strengthen legislative research, comparative analysis and the exchange of parliamentary expertise, supporting PAP’s committees and cooperation with partner legislatures.

Ghana: Sustaining Pan-African Commitment and Representation

President Boutbig’s discussions with Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament, focused on Ghana’s contribution to PAP and its continued support for the institution’s development.

The meeting was attended by Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat, PAP’s Third Vice-President, and Hon. Bernard Ahiafor, First Deputy Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament and leader of Ghana’s delegation to PAP.

President Boutbig commended Ghana’s consistent and substantive participation in the continental Parliament. He praised the dedication and calibre of its representatives, noting that former members had subsequently assumed senior national leadership responsibilities, including the presidency and ministerial portfolios.

He also recognized Ghana’s enduring commitment to the legacy of Kwame Nkrumah, linking its support for Pan-Africanism, continental solidarity and African integration to PAP’s wider mission.

Speaker Bagbin reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the institution and assured President Boutbig that the Ghanaian Parliament would remain actively engaged in its work and support efforts to enhance its effectiveness.

A practical outcome was the Speaker’s undertaking to facilitate the prompt nomination of a new representative to replace Hon. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, former Second Vice-President of PAP, following her appointment to a ministerial position in Ghana’s Government.

The replacement would maintain continuity in Ghana’s delegation and its participation in PAP’s work. The nomination concerns Ghana’s representation in the Parliament; filling the office of Second Vice-President remains a separate institutional process.

Recalling the historical relationship between Ghana and Algeria, Speaker Bagbin congratulated President Boutbig on his election and expressed support for his vision for the continental Parliament.

EALA: Towards Structured Continental and Regional Cooperation

In a courtesy call on Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, President Boutbig explored how PAP and regional parliamentary institutions could develop a more structured working relationship.

Accompanied by Third Vice-President Djidda Mamar Mahamat, the PAP President discussed cooperation that would allow regional parliamentary experience and perspectives to inform the continental Parliament’s deliberations.

Both leaders emphasized sustained institutional coordination and the value of closer collaboration in advancing shared regional and continental priorities.

The discussions reflect PAP’s mandate to promote African Union objectives and programmes, as well as coordination and harmonization among Africa’s Regional Economic Communities and parliamentary fora.

Regional parliamentary bodies bring experience of integration challenges, legislative practice and cross-border cooperation. Closer links with PAP could help connect continental deliberations with the priorities being addressed within regional institutions.

The meeting opened discussions on making these relationships more regular and substantive, although no formal cooperation agreement or implementation timetable was announced in the release.

Chad: Support for Reform and African Parliamentary Coordination

President Boutbig also met Rt. Hon. Ali Kolotou Tchaïmi, President of Chad’s National Assembly, in an engagement attended by Third Vice-President Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat.

The PAP leaders congratulated Mr Tchaïmi on his election as Chair of the IPU’s African Geopolitical Group for the 2026–2027 term and assured him of the PAP Bureau’s support in carrying out that responsibility in the service of Africa’s interests.

President Boutbig acknowledged Chad’s contribution through its delegation, led by Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat. He highlighted the delegation’s involvement in PAP’s activities and decision-making, and thanked the National Assembly’s leadership for the support provided to its representatives.

Mr Tchaïmi welcomed PAP’s place in Africa’s governance architecture and expressed support for President Boutbig and the Bureau. He encouraged continued institutional reforms to enable the Parliament to fulfil its mandate more effectively and respond to the aspirations of African peoples.

He also accepted President Boutbig’s invitation to address the next ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament, creating a further opportunity for engagement on institutional development and continental parliamentary cooperation.

Ukraine: Exploring an African Contribution to Peace

President Boutbig also met Oleksandr Korniyenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, to discuss PAP’s potential contribution to African mediation efforts and dialogue towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

The two leaders and their accompanying delegations considered the value of parliamentary diplomacy and sustained engagement in supporting efforts to bring the parties towards negotiations.

According to the PAP release, the meeting reflected Ukraine’s call for renewed African engagement, building on the peace mission undertaken by African leaders in June 2023. The discussions placed PAP’s potential contribution within this wider diplomatic effort.

President Boutbig called for an immediate ceasefire and the commencement of political negotiations without delay. He stressed the importance of preventing further escalation and its consequences for people in the region and around the world.

He also underscored the need to uphold international law and human rights, including respect for territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

The engagement reaffirmed the importance of continued diplomatic dialogue and the contribution African institutions can make to the pursuit of peace. Parliamentary exchanges can help sustain communication, build understanding and reinforce wider mediation initiatives.

The discussions concerned PAP’s potential role; the release did not announce a formal mediation mandate or an agreed negotiating framework.

Advancing Institutional Cooperation and Peace Diplomacy

Across the five engagements, President Boutbig pursued two connected priorities: strengthening PAP’s institutional capacity and expanding the relationships through which parliamentary diplomacy can contribute to dialogue and cooperation.

The Zimbabwe discussions focused on consensus-building around the Malabo Protocol and legislative research. Ghana reaffirmed its institutional commitment and addressed continuity in its delegation. EALA explored more structured regional cooperation, while Chad supported reform and closer coordination of African parliamentary interests.

The Ukraine engagement extended the discussions to Africa’s potential contribution to peace efforts, with President Boutbig calling for a ceasefire, prompt political negotiations and respect for international law.

The meetings offer opportunities for practical follow-up through ratification advocacy, stronger research capacity, regular institutional cooperation and sustained parliamentary engagement in support of peace.

For PAP, the next step is to translate the support and diplomatic openings in Arusha into practical action that strengthens its service to African citizens, advances continental integration and supports dialogue on shared international challenges.