The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) convened the Third Civil Society–Parliament Dialogue under the theme “Legal Reparations: Justice for Africa and People of African Descent.” The event brought together Members of Parliament, representatives of the African Union, civil society organisations, academics, and youth leaders to strengthen partnerships and chart a shared pathway toward justice, equity, and reparative development for Africa and its diaspora.
Opening the dialogue, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the Pan-African Parliament, reaffirmed PAP’s leadership in advancing Africa’s voice on justice, sovereignty, and human rights. He underscored that reparations extend beyond financial compensation to include the restoration of dignity, identity, and economic empowerment.
“Our call for reparations is not a cry of victimhood,” he said. “It is a demand for justice and self-determination—a call for Africa to speak with one voice and act with one purpose to correct the injustices that have shaped our past and continue to affect our present.”
Chief Charumbira also stressed that electoral legitimacy must translate into accountable and participatory leadership to achieve genuine good governance.
Delivering a keynote address, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Former Chairperson of the African Union Commission, traced Africa’s pursuit of justice from the 1900 Pan-African Congress to the 1993 Abuja Conference on Reparations. She described reparations as a legal, moral, and historical imperative, stressing that they must be transformative and inclusive, with a focus on women, youth, and marginalized communities.
“Reparations are not a plea for sympathy or charity,” she stated. “They are an acknowledgment of the crimes of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid—and a commitment to repair the damage that still endures.”
Ms. Bonolo Makgale, from PAP’s Democracy and Civic Engagement Unit, emphasized the critical role of civil society in ensuring PAP remains people-centred. She called for stronger feedback mechanisms and transparent systems to make parliaments more responsive. Other speakers, including Ruth Kwangwa, Human Rights and Governance Lawyer, and Sarah Wesonga, Freedom of Expression and Information Integrity Specialist, reinforced the need for accountability, access to information, and structured citizen participation as foundations of inclusive governance.
Civil society participants highlighted the importance of participatory policymaking, effective monitoring, and holding governments accountable. They also called for greater focus on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, and the inclusion of women and young people in decision-making processes.
A high-level panel discussed Democratic Governance and Security Challenges in the Sahel and the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, moderated by Ms. Achieng Akena and Mr. Lukhanyo Deer of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. Panelists included Madame Binta Sidibe-Gascon, Ms. Janah Ncube, Dr. Hesphina Rukato, and Ambassador Welile Nhlapo.
Ms. Ncube highlighted the worsening security situation in the Sahel and its devastating impact on civilians, warning that militarised responses often deepen suffering. She stressed the role of civil society in peacebuilding and early-warning systems. Madame Sidibe-Gascon drew attention to the erosion of social cohesion and the weakening of local governance structures, calling for sustained community engagement to stabilise affected regions.
Dr. Rukato and Mr. Deer underscored the need for structured engagement between civil society and PAP, stronger monitoring frameworks, and tools such as the Open Parliament Index to assess transparency and responsiveness. Ambassador Nhlapo emphasised linking PAP’s resolutions to national legislative processes to ensure citizen voices inform continental decision-making and translate into tangible outcomes.
Panel discussions further explored instability, unconstitutional changes of government, and the humanitarian toll of conflicts, calling for African-led peacebuilding efforts, inclusive governance, and the empowerment of youth and women as agents of peace.
In his closing remarks, President Charumbira reaffirmed PAP’s commitment to advancing reparations, democratic governance, and peace across Africa. He announced the establishment of a Permanent PAP–Civil Society Desk to institutionalise collaboration and coordinate regional parliamentary engagement.
“This dialogue must not end here,” he said. “Reparations, democratic governance, and security are interconnected—they are about restoring Africa’s dignity, protecting human life, and ensuring justice and self-determination for all Africans.
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