The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have urged African member states to prioritize the ratification of African Union (AU) treaties. This call was made during the ongoing 3rd Ordinary Session of the 6th Parliament of the PAP in Midrand, South Africa. Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Ms. Jessie Majome, delivered the keynote address at the second dialogue of the Pan-African Parliament with the Civil Society Forum.
Established in August 2018, the Pan-African Parliament Civil Society Forum aims to coordinate and harmonize civil society efforts for meaningful engagement with the PAP. Ms. Majome emphasized the responsibility of PAP member states to engage with their national parliaments to prioritize the ratification of AU treaties, particularly the Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the AU relating to the Pan-African Parliament for those countries yet to ratify it.
"Ratification of AU treaties by member states can strengthen compliance with regional norms and standards on human rights, peace, security, and democratic governance in Africa," said Ms. Majome. She highlighted the objectives of the Malabo Protocol, which include promoting good governance, respect for the rule of law, transparency, accountability, peace, security, and stability. The Protocol also encourages national and regional parliaments to integrate AU treaties into their legal systems and calls for cooperation with civil societies and grassroots organizations.
Ms. Majome also expressed concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan, where armed conflict, human displacement, forced migration, and sexual violence are rampant. She noted that marginalized groups, including women, girls, young people, older persons, and persons with disabilities, are disproportionately affected by human rights violations, especially in conflict zones.
In 2023, the first Pan-African Parliament-CSO dialogue made several recommendations, including increased engagement between CSOs and the PAP, the ratification of outstanding AU treaties, empowering the PAP with legislative powers, and addressing peace, security, and human rights issues in Africa.
These initiatives aim to strengthen the collective voices of citizens, improve human rights, peace, and security, and consolidate good governance, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Africa.
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