The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative organ of the African Union (AU), has just concluded a high-level Consultative Workshop on its Rules of Procedure held in Midrand, South Africa, from 1 to 4 July 2025.
The workshop brought together Members of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, officials from the PAP Secretariat, and representatives of the AU Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC), to critically examine proposed revisions to the institution’s Rules of Procedure.
In his remarks during the opening of the workshop, the President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, delivered keynote remarks underscoring the importance of this process as an opportunity for unity, consensus, and institutional integrity. “The Rules of Procedure are central to the effective functioning of PAP and provide the framework for its operations, structure, and internal governance,” he said.
Originally adopted in 2004 and last amended in 2011, the Rules have undergone periodic review to maintain alignment with evolving AU norms and practices. However, following a series of challenges—including incidents in the June 2021 Plenary and subsequent AU Executive Council decisions—the need for comprehensive revision has become urgent.
The Executive Council of the AU has directed that the PAP Rules of Procedure be brought into full alignment with African Union values, principles, and legal instruments. In response, the AU’s Office of the Legal Counsel has been engaging with the PAP to revise the Rules accordingly.
The outcomes of this process are now under detailed consideration by the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline. Over the course of the workshop, chaired by the Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Steve Mikaya, participants:
- Reviewed the amendments proposed by the OLC in line with AU Executive Council decisions;
- Assessed existing gaps and areas of improvement in the current Rules of Procedure;
- Merged the proposals from PAP and the OLC into a single revised document;
- Built consensus on the final text to be submitted for consideration by the PAP Bureau and subsequently the AU Executive Council.
The review process is both technical and political in nature, involving intensive article-by-article analysis, stakeholder engagement, and plenary discussion. The anticipated outcome is a harmonized set of Rules of Procedure that reflect the institutional experience of the past decade, adhere to AU values, and facilitate a more effective and accountable Pan-African Parliament.
The workshop is a follow-up to initial consultations held in Nairobi, Kenya, in December 2024, and reaffirms the Parliament’s commitment to good governance, democratic norms, and the collective aspirations of African citizens.
