The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has embraced and applauded submissions by the Regional Caucuses at the Strategic Reorientation Workshop for members as the Sitting of the Permanent Committees continues at the seat of the continental Parliament in Midrand, South Africa under the African Union theme of 2022: ‘Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent: Accelerate the human capital, social and economic development’.
At the beginning of the workshop the parliamentarians were tasked by the leadership of the PAP to consult and answer to the following questions: Why was the PAP established? What does the African citizenry expect from PAP? What are the PAP deliverables? Is the PAP delivering on its mandate and public expectations? And what should the PAP do to better deliver on its mandate?
“Presentations by our regional caucuses are educating, informative and of high quality,” said, President H.E President Chief Fortune Charumbira commenting on presentations by PAP regional caucuses.
“We applaud everyone for progressively participating in this exercise. We will have time to engage further on all submissions so that we can have a further robust discussion and come up with a common stand on the outcomes of the workshop.”
Taking to the podium, all Regional Caucuses reverberated that it is high time the African Union’s legislative organ performed and delivered on its mandate.
“As the PAP we must always remember why we are here, we need to start understanding who we are and our mandate,” said Western Caucus Chairperson, Hon. Alhagie Mbow.
“The PAP needs to start collaborating with the AU at all levels when it comes to work and activities for it to achieve its goals. As an institution we cannot operate in isolation if we are to deliver on our goals. The PAP needs to create effective exposure across the continent for our citizens to know who we are and understand our purpose.”
Hon Sen. Azzeddine Abdelmadjid chairperson of Northern Region Caucus said: “We fully agree with the desire of the PAP to take a new direction, a direction of productivity. Our mandate must be clearly identified; we must have a parliament that changes Africa for better. With the backing of our Bureau we are ready to commit to tackling challenges facing Africa. We need to reform and start implementing programmes that are innovative.
“We also need to make PAP visible out there so that targeted citizens, decision markers, media and various associations take note of our activities and contribute towards our growth. We need to build a parliament that stands on its founding values and we are certain that this will lead to obtaining the backing of the entire AU in all our programmes. Our actions must always consider our African citizens at grassroots’ levels,” added Hon. Abdelmadjid, proposing establishment of a Pan-African Solidarity Fund that can be “utilised in presence of catastrophes’ either man made or due to natural events”.
Hon. Clement Ndombe, Rapporteur of the Central Africa Caucus said: “We are backing the reviving, renewing, repositioning and reinvigorating the Pan-African Parliament. We need a true inclusion of our peoples in all activities and direction undertaken by the parliament. We also believe that it is important that all member states ratify Malabo protocol without delay.
“We need to perform an effective oversight role across all organs of the AU for the PAP as part of effectively delivering on our mandate,” he added.
East Africa Caucus chairperson, Hon. Terrence Mondon, challenged parliamentarians to encourage transparency, good governance and respect of rule of law. He also highlighted an urgent need for the PAP to be more visible as it will strengthen its image across the continent. He further called for promotion of inclusivity across the continent when it comes to all activities meant to capacitate or promote the well-being of citizens.
“The PAP must consider addressing issues of corruption by making African leaders and make them accountable. This can turn our institution into an able body without doubt,” he said.
Meanwhile the Southern Caucus, Chairperson Hon. Pemmy Castelina Pamela Majodina, called for the PAP to help promote peace, security and stability across the continent.
“The PAP has to start collaborating with various institutions and organisations at grassroots, regional, continental and international level. There is a serious need towards advocating for democracy, respect for human rights and good governance. These principles must be enhanced at all cost if the PAP is to achieve its mandate. Despite challenges we must keep pushing towards achieving our mandate as an institution and this can only be achieved if we value self respect. We must always recall that we are leaders of the communities deployed by communities to develop them.”
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