The Office-Bearers of the Permanent Committees of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have been elected on the margins of the Ordinary Session of the legislative arm of the African Union, held at its seat in Midrand, South Africa.
The Committees are the engine House of the Parliament, set up to ensure in-depth analysis on topical and emerging issues facing Africa. These structures are responsible for implementing programs and projects aligned with the PAP Strategic plan, drafted in consideration of the vision of the Parliament, Agenda 2063, AU programs and theme of the year.
The Committees enable Parliament to perform its core oversight, advisory and consultative functions. Further, such an arrangement allows the Parliament to perform several functions simultaneously as it contributes.
The contest for the leadership of Permanent Committees was conducted in line with the spirit of rotation, consensus and unity that prevailed during the elections of the Bureau of the PAP earlier this week.
Led by the Bureau and Chairpersons of the Regional Caucuses, the leadership of the Permanent Committees was elected based on Rule 22 subsection (6) which stipulates that: “Each Committee shall elect a Chairperson, a Deputy Chairperson and a Rapporteur from amongst its six members. The Bureau of the PAP, in consultation with the Bureaux of Regional Caucuses, shall ensure during the overall renewal of the Bureaux of Committees that there is equal regional representation of office bearers within the Bureaux.”
Announcing the much welcomed consensus approach by various regions, PAP President H.E Senator, Chief Fortune Charumbira said: “democracy always thrives when tackled with the involvement of everyone.”
“We are very happy as the leadership of the PAP because everyone is delighted about the election process we adopted in electing the Permanent Committees leadership. Previously we had one region chairing more than five Committees, but after our engagement and agreement, each region was allocated two Chairpersons, two Vice Chairpersons and two Rapporteurs. We then agreed that the remaining numbers be allocated to regions contributing high numbers to PAP and a region that has always compromised for the good of the PAP. All that we are doing is for unity and development of our parliament. We need the involvement of everyone as we move forward after a very peaceful election process,” added Hon. Charumbira.
The Pan-African Parliament has eleven Permanent Committees and the following leaders have been elected:
Committee on Justice and Human Rights
- Hon. Jean Marie Nibirantije, Chairperson, (Burundi)
- Hon. Mohamed Ahamada Baco, Deputy Chairperson, (Comoros)
- Hon. Antonio Joaquim Mainato, Rapporteur, (Mozambique)
Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disabilities
- Hon. Dao Gabala Mariam, Cote d’Ivore, (Chairperson)
- Hon. Khadija Arouhal, Deputy Chairperson, Morocco
- Hon. Rachel Yassilndali, Rapporteur, (CAR)
Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs
- Hon. Jean Patrice Quirin, (Chairperson), Mauritius
- Hon. Mahmoud El-Sayed Mohaned Saad, Deputy Chairperson, (Egypt)
- Hon. Dr Nouhou Arba, Rapporteur, (Niger)
Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline
- Hon Thembekile Richard Majola (South Africa) Chairperson
- Hon Djibril War, (Senegal), Deputy Chairperson
- Hon Jacques DjoliEseng’Ekeli, (DRC), Rapporteur
Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs
- Hon. Mohmmed MubarakaMuntaka – Ghana, Chairperson
- Hon. Laurent Nkodo – (Cameroon), Deputy Chairperson
- Hon. Sen. Tony Sibandze – (Eswatini), Rapporteur
Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution
- Hon. Dr. Eng. Sherif El Gabaly – Egypt, Chairperson
- Hon. AurelienZingas – CAR, Deputy Chairperson
- Hon. LomiBedoKumbi - Ethiopia, Rapporteur
Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment
- Hon. Didier Molisho Said, DRC, Chairperson
- Hon. Abdallah Barakat Ibrahim, Djibouti, Deputy Chairperson
- Hon. Assane Maroudit KOUBOU, Niger, Rapporteur
Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources
- Hon. Amina Abdou SOUNA, Niger, Chairperson
- Hon. Stars Mathe (Thebe), Zimbabwe, Deputy Chairperson
- Hon. Bouhoubeyni Mana, Mauritania, Rapporteur
Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters
- Hon. Sen. John Bonds Bideri – Rwanda, Chairperson
- Hon. Mc. Henry Venaani – Namibia, Deputy Chairperson
- Hon. Abdou Boubacar – Niger, Rapporteur
Committee on Transport. Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology
- To be elected - Chairperson
- Hon. Amina Ali Idriss – Chad, Deputy Chairperson
- Hon. Ashinie Astin Titoyik – Ethiopia, Rapporteur
Committee on Audit and Public Accounts (CAPA)
- Hon. Miles Sampa, Chairperson (Zambia)
- Hon. Said Brahim Said, Deputy Chairperson, (Sahrawi)
- Hon. Nsamba Oshabe Patrick, Rapporteur, (Uganda)
-Ends-
