The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) continued its Ordinary Session in Midrand, South Africa, with a critical debate on the financing situation of the African Union (AU), demonstrating the commitment of African Parliamentarians towards sustainable development.
Addressing the Pan-African Parliament, H.E. Amb. George Orina, Chairperson of the AU Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) Sub-Committee on Budgetary, Financial and Administrative Matters, emphasised the shared responsibility of African states to ensure the AU’s financial sustainability.
“We become only as effective as we are able and willing to fund our programmes and activities, and to send our best sons and daughters to propel Agenda 2063,” Amb. Orina noted, acknowledging the AU’s pivotal position in realising Africa’s dream for peace, unity, and prosperity.
Amb. Orina reflected on the historic 2015 Johannesburg decision, where African leaders committed to funding 100% of the AU's operating budget, 75% of its programme budget, and 25% of peace support operations. But he noted that a decade later, these are still not achieved, compounded by international challenges like COVID-19, European and Middle East wars, and constricting global aid flows.
“This is not merely a financial matter; it is an existential test to the continent’s security and development,” he said, quoting UN Secretary-General António Guterres, “This Conference is not about money. It’s about investing in the future we want to build, together.”
Amb. Orina highlighted the urgency indicated by H.E. Dr. William Ruto, AU Champion on Institutional Reform, who has solicited a Special AU Summit on reform and financing in 2025.
While recognising the bills of competing domestic priorities, Amb. Orina insisted that continental programmes directly impact national development, compelling member states to find a balanced balance between national needs and AU contributions.
“Multilateralism is still needed. All of us need to jointly invest in Africa's future while facing global challenges,” he added, adding that expanding AU mandates like AfCFTA and Africa CDC needs to be accompanied by equal cost responsibilities.
He concluded with an appeal for prudent spending, accountability, and hard decisions to secure the AU’s financial health for a peaceful, secure, and sustainably developing Africa.
H.E. President Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, welcomed the engagement with a critical arm of AU’s policy organs , describing the meeting as a step in the right direction towards further cooperation.
“The PRC and the Pan-African Parliament share a common mandate to serve Africa, and there is no space for competition but complementarity,” PresidentCharumbira assured, applauding the positive presentation made by Amb. Orina.
President Charumbira emphasised the fiscal constraints of the Pan-African Parliament, repeating that sustained and adequate funding is required to allow the Parliament to effectively exercise its legislative, oversight, and representation functions in relation to Agenda 2063.
“Our Parliament cannot perform well under the current austerity measures, which limit our ability to convene statutory meetings, election observation, and missions,” he explained, noting that other logistical challenges and travel costs within Africa are also debilitating MPs’ attendance at Pan-African Parliament activities.
He made a reiteration that the reallocation of AU budget lines for the Pan-African Parliament operations would enable the Parliament to bridge the gap between AU policies and African people, and enable AU policy and legislation to be understood and served at grassroots levels.
“The Pan-African Parliament is set to play its role in chasing Africa's ambitions if given proper support,” President Charumbira concluded.
Hon. Dr. Fatimetou Habib, 1st Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, appreciated the AU leadership for initiating contact with the Pan-African Parliament while underlining the need for autonomy and adequate funding for the Parliament.
“The need to give the Pan-African Parliament room to fully exercise its basic oversight role if support from MPs and our member states is to be mobilized,” Dr. Habib stated.
She clarified that transparency in the AU as well as transparency in the use of funds would make it necessary for member states to uphold their budget commitments.
“How do we encourage countries to raise money for the AU when there is very little transparency on how such funds are used?” she asked, adding further that transparency and clear objectives would create trust and enable Africa to develop rightfully.
Hon. Lúcia Maria Mendes Gonçalves dos Passos, 3rd Pan-African Parliament Vice-President, called the day “historic" in fostering exchange between the Pan-African Parliament and the AU.
She indicated extreme budget limitations facing the Pan-African Parliament, noting that the Parliament’s budget has declined from USD 23 million in 2017 to USD 11 million in 2025, and that staff salary absorbs 90% of the budget while very little is left for operational expenses.
“With the extent of limitation of resources, how is the Pan-African Parliament supposed to represent the people of Africa and diaspora, as well as propel Agenda 2063, when itself cannot function with such scarcity of resources?” Hon. Passos asked.
She appealed for concerted efforts to ratify the Malabo Protocol, enabling the Pan-African Parliament to develop into a full-fledged legislative parliament, and appealed to the AU to obtain the payment of MPs’ allowances without delay.
“No AU organ has any unpaid staff. Why does the Pan-African Parliament receive special treatment when its MPs toil every day for Africa?” she emphasised, demanding prompt intervention to harmonise the Parliament’s operating needs with its mandate.
Hon. Djidda Mamar Mahamat, 4th Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, expressed concerns of underinvestment in the Pan-African Parliament, indicating that finances have only been utilized since 2013 to cover staff salaries, with MPs still not having insurance and a suitable means of participation.
“Africa wants sovereignty and economic independence, and to be so, we need to ensure that the Pan-African Parliament receives enough support to fulfill its mandate,” Hon. Mahamat stated.
He emphasised MPs’ per diems to allow effective presence at meetings and election observation missions, given the high costs and logistical challenges of traveling throughout Africa.
“It is impossible to manage the Pan-African Parliament efficiently with the austerity measures in place,” he argued, urging the AU to provide direct assistance to the Parliament to enable it to make meaningful contributions to Africa’s governance and democratic processes.
As Africa consolidates its shared aspirations under Agenda 2063, debates in Pan-African Parliament in Midrand reiterate the worth of investing in Africa's institutions for its people with an unambiguous call for unity, transparency, and decisive action towards a safe future for Africa.
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