Various institutions have called upon the Pan-African Parliament to address critical issues facing the continent and to position Africa as a key global player through strategic partnerships. This was the focal point of solidarity messages delivered during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament earlier today.
The Session, scheduled to continue until 5 July 2024, aligns with the African Union (AU)’s theme: “The Year of Education, Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa.” "We seek extensive collaboration between the Arab Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament to advance progress for our people," stated Hon. Adel Bin Abdulrahman Alasoomi, President of the Arab Parliament and Guest of Honor at the opening. Hon. Alasoomi emphasized shared values of freedom, security, and democracy, urging continued support from the Pan-African Parliament on behalf of the Arab League.
The Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria, expressed his admiration for the education theme championed by the AU and embraced by the Pan-African Parliament. “We are complaining that we have not met the expectations of SDG4, while those that we have trained are migrating daily to other jurisdictions. The role of the Parliament is to adopt a pan-African approach to cure this defect. It is our responsibility to deal with our problems. Nothing more, nothing less,” he stressed. Drawing examples from Nigeria, he shared how it has strengthened its infrastructure to ensure educational continuity during crises and leveraged technology for remote learning.
Also addressing the assembly, Amb. Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, CEO of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), underscored the pivotal role of the Pan-African Parliament in promoting democracy and good governance in Africa. She stressed that as democratically elected representatives, African parliamentarians have the noble responsibility of advocating for the voiceless and ensuring representation of people’s needs and views. "As people’s representatives, your participation in this prestigious continental Parliament ensures people’s involvement in discussions and decision-making, thereby addressing the continent's challenges," remarked Rose-Quatre, highlighting the APRM's commitment to democracy, good governance, peace, and stability.
Hon. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), emphasized the complementary mandates of the Pan-African Parliament and the Commission in promoting and protecting human rights. He expressed the Commission's keen interest in the successful deliberations during the two-week session, particularly on human rights issues.
Hon. Justice Modibo Sacko, Vice President of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, underscored that the right to education must encompass both quality and relevance. He highlighted the Court's proactive role in monitoring the implementation of human rights in all aspects. Furthermore, Hon. Sacko mentioned that the Court is aligning its efforts with the decisions of the AU policy organs to ensure that human rights are a cornerstone of the next 10-year implementation plan of Agenda 2063. He called upon the Pan-African Parliament to advocate for the ratification of the Court's protocol to enhance its powers.
Ambassador André Nzapayeke, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in South Africa, echoed these sentiments, noting that the PAP, as the bridge between African national legislatures and the continent's people, must prioritize ordinary Africans. He expressed optimism about achieving the Agenda 2063 goals while acknowledging ongoing challenges such as youth unemployment and access to quality education and healthcare.
Palestinian Ambassador Hanan Jarrar described the dire situation in Gaza, commending Africa for its historic stance against Israeli actions and noting increased international awareness due to African initiatives. She detailed the latest developments in Gaza and called for the Pan-African Parliament to continue serving as a platform that stands with the voiceless.
In his virtual message, H.E. Amb. Javier Niño Pérez, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to the African Union (AU), reaffirmed the EU's steadfast commitment to the EU-Africa partnership. Ambassador Niño Pérez emphasized the EU's support for Africa, stating, “We listen to each other and learn from each other in many areas.” He further pledged the EU’s assistance on critical issues like conflict resolution, elections management, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
