The newly elected Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Women’s Caucus and Caucus on Youth Chairpersons have applauded the PAP Bureau and Regional Caucuses for “spearheading unified, peaceful and successful elections” at the just ended PAP Ordinary Session.
“We needed this prevailing unity as the PAP, thanks to the President and his team for their able leadership. There is tranquility and harmony in this house, proving that most parliamentarians were correct in calling for the rule of rotation to be used in all our election processes,” said Hon. Amina Tidjani Yaya, Chairperson of the Women’s Caucus.
Echoing the same sentiments, the Chairperson of the Caucus on Youth Hon. Dali Laila also praised and embraced the manner in which the elections were conducted.
“We appreciate the role played by the Bureau that saw us having peaceful elections. Your fruitful efforts came as a result of your belief in democracy, tolerance and consensus which complements very well with rotation and equal representation systems. The unity we are experiencing today is vital for Africa, and for our efforts to amplify the voices of young people across the continent,” added Hon. Laila.
According to the PAP Rules of Procedure, each of the five geographical regions is to form a regional caucus composed of its members. The Rules also provide for other types of caucuses to be established to deal with issues of common interest as the PAP deems necessary. The Parliament, therefore, has established the Women's Caucus and the Caucus on Youth, referred to as thematic caucuses.
With the rotation principle adopted in electing the leadership, Hon. Amina Tidjani Yaya from Tchad emerged as the Women Caucus Chairperson deputised by the 1st Vice-Chairperson Hon. Caroline Kamusiime from Uganda, 2nd Vice-Chairperson Hon. Victoria Kingston from Malawi, 3rd Vice Chairperson Hon. Sen. Dr Ranada Mohamed Ahmed Mostafa, with Hon. Traore Mariame of Cote d’Ivoire emerging as the 4th Vice-Chairperson.
While the Youth Caucus saw Hon. Dali Laila from Morocco emerging as the Chairperson deputised by the 1st Vice-Chairperson Hon. Tatenda Annastacia Mavetera from Zimbabwe with Hon. Euclides Jorge Valela da Silva from Cape Verde elected as the 2nd Vice-Chairperson. Completing the list is the 3rd Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Eric Ngalula Ilunga from DRC and 4th Vice-Chairperson Hon. Wavel Woodcock from Seychelles.
Meanwhile, addressing the Women Caucus, H.E. Senator, Chief Fortune Charumbira said: “We call upon this elected leadership to always initiate and implement activities for the betterment of our continent. I am available anytime to assist women and young people whenever they need my hand. We have also witnessed that rotation is key to the unity of our parliament, let this legacy live and thrive forever,” added H.E. Charumbira.
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