H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) will officially open the Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Monday, 15 May 2023.
The Chairperson is scheduled to address Pan-African Parliamentarians on the State of the Union and the priority areas of his tenure at the helm of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament will run from 15 May to 2 June 2023 under the African Union theme for the year 2023: “Year of AfCFTA: Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area Implementation.”
The President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira says that the expected address by H.E. Assoumani is a testament to the strategic role accorded to the Pan-African Parliament within the African Union architecture in the attainment of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.
“The presence of the Chairperson of our Union at the official opening of the Second Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament validates the work undertaken by the leadership of the Parliament to reinvigorate, renew and revive the legislative arm of the African Union. This is a vote of confidence in our parliamentary body and its capacity to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent,” said Hon. Chief Charumbira.
H.E. Azali Assoumani took over as Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2023 in February during the official opening of the Thirty-Sixth (36th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. He took over the baton of command from H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal.
Other notable speakers at the official opening will include Hon. Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa; H.E Ambassador Josefa Sacko, African Union Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment representing H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; Hon. Naama Mayara, Speaker of the House of Advisors of Morocco; and Hon. Senanu Koku Alipui, 2nd Rapporteur of the Committee on Agriculture representing the Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.
