The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security and sustainable land use across Africa with the advancement of the Model Law on Sustainable Soil Management.
Speaking at the regional consultation in Midrand, Honourable Lucia Dos Passos, 3rd Vice President of PAP, highlighted the critical role of the Committee on Agriculture, Rural, Enonomy, Environment and Sustanable Development in guiding agricultural policy, harmonising legislation, and addressing the continent’s food security challenges. She stressed that while PAP is not yet a legislative body, its advisory role is pivotal in shaping AU-wide resolutions. “The Pan-African Parliament is committed to advancing solutions that safeguard our continent’s soils, strengthen food systems, and secure livelihoods,” Hon. Dos Passos said. “This Model Law is a vital step towards building stability, sustainability, and prosperity for all Africans”.
The Draft Model Law, developed by a core team of African experts and led by Dr. Harald Ginzky of the German Environment Agency together with Prof. Oliver Ruppel, Director of the Development and Rule of Law program (DROP) Stellenbosch University, South Africa, provides a comprehensive framework for soil governance. Dr. Ginzky and Prof. Ruppel have worked closely with the PAP Agriculture Committee to ensure the law reflects Africa’s realities while drawing from international best practices.
The Model Law is based on eleven country studies on the existing soil legislaion and governance, analysing strenght and weakeneses of current legal provisions and organisations . It addresses ecological, social, cultural, and economic values of soil, while setting principles such as accountability, gender equity, participation, biodiversity protection, and sustainability. Its purpose is to guide AU Member States in sustainable soil management, strengthen food security, and achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).
Legislators from across the continent shared perspectives rooted in their national contexts. In Kenya, Hon. Ferdinand Wanyonyi, M.P., emphasised the urgency of addressing poor farming practices, deforestation, and the growing impacts of climate change on staple crops such as maize. From Zimbabwe, Hon. Joel Sithole, M.P., underlined the importance of securing land tenure rights and protecting smallholders, while also advocating for incentive-based measures to support farmers, coupled with stronger national monitoring and rehabilitation systems. Representing Eswatini, Hon. Wilton Nkabule, M.P., drew attention to the country’s vulnerability to soil erosion due to its mountainous terrain and stressed the need for careful land-use planning to balance population growth with the preservation of farmland.
From a regional perspective, Mr Charles Mwangi, the Head of Programs at the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) stressed that the Model Law will help unify fragmented frameworks inherited from colonial systems and foster stronger coordination.
Across all interventions, delegates agreed that Africa faces shared challenges: climate change, political instability, weak enforcement of existing laws, and rising food insecurity. The Model Law was welcomed as a tool to harmonise responses, build resilience, and ensure access to soil, water, and food for present and future generations.
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