The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Bureau met with the African Union Commission (AUC)’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) to agree on areas of partnership as they forge ahead in building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa. This meeting comes as the PAP is scheduled to hold the Sitting of the Permanent Committees of the sixth Parliament from the 22nd of August to the 2nd of September in Midrand, South Africa.
“We commend the PAPS for consenting to the meeting with the Bureau,” said H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP.
“The interaction between the PAPS and PAP Bureau is evidence of the new trajectory that the PAP is taking post the June elections. This Bureau is keen on various collaborations that advance the interest of African people. As such, the importance of continuous interaction between the PAP and the PAPS in resolving any challenges and working together to achieve the Union’s objectives is very important. Our approach is based on repositioning the PAP within the African Union (AU) architecture with a renewed resolve to fully play our role as a representation of African citizens on matters of peace and security, human rights and democracy. We will be looking forward to implementing all agreements that are born out of this gathering.”
The meeting discussed the identification of common areas of collaboration, Election observation missions, Fact-finding missions, African Governance Architecture (AGA), the role of the PAP in the ratification of AU Legal Instruments, development of a work plan for the implementation of the programmes and development of a roadmap for the implementation of agreed collaborative initiatives.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Calixte Aristide Mbari, Ag. Director Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate – AUC applauded the PAP for steering the initiative of the meeting.
“We are pleased that the PAP Bureau and its President came up with this initiative that will go a long way for Africa. The PAP is an important organ of the AU in the process of achieving the Africa we want. For the voice of Parliament to be heard it is important for the relationship between the Parliament and AUC Departments to be strengthened and organised around the principles of continuous sharing of ideas in a peaceful environment. This meeting is an important step forward in consummating this relationship. We will support the Parliament to fully play its role as the supreme representative institution. Our gathering here is an indication of the Bureau’s commitment to advancing the AU’s agenda,” added Amb. Mbari.
The meeting was a follow-up to the engagement held by the two parties on the side-lines of the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the AU in Lusaka, Zambia, last month. The mandates of the PAP and PAPS are intertwined. They are both tasked by the African Union to promote peace and stability, good governance, democracy and human rights as a foundation for inclusion, security and the development of the continent and its people.
One of the key areas of collaboration over the past few years between the PAP and PAPS has been the African Union Election Observation Missions (AUEOM). The collaboration in this area had been put on hold following the political leadership vacuum at Parliament. Following the recent resumption of parliamentary activities with the election of new Office-Bearers, the PAP Bureau sought to signal the continental Parliament’s readiness to renew its working relationship with the PAPS.
The PAP recently took part in the AUEOM for the Kenya presidential election while a delegation is currently in Angola as part of the mission to observe general elections slated for 24 August 2022.
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