Nairobi, Kenya – A delegation from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), led by its President, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with H.E. William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms, to discuss the ongoing AU reform agenda in relation to the Pan-African Parliament, and its role in strengthening the Union.
The meeting, held at the State House in Nairobi, focused on addressing institutional weaknesses within the AU and the critical need for reforms to enhance its capacity to fulfill its mandate, particularly in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 – Africa's blueprint for inclusive growth and sustainable development. Discussions emphasized that AU reforms should strengthen, not diminish, the role of the Pan-African Parliament as the voice of the people. A stronger Pan-African Parliament, they agreed, would lead to a more effective Union.
In his intervention, Hon. Chief Charumbira highlighted that African leaders, as early as 2016, recognized the need for urgent institutional reforms within the AU. He identified several challenges, including fragmented focus areas, limited coordination between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and a lack of oversight and accountability, leading to inefficiencies in service delivery.
"The AU must improve its operational efficiency and ensure better service delivery to meet the expectations of a skeptical African citizenry. The Pan-African Parliament can play a pivotal role in addressing these weaknesses by bridging the gap between the AU and African citizens, ensuring transparency, accountability, and engagement with the people it serves," said Hon. Charumbira.
He stressed that reforms should enable the AU to deliver on its Agenda 2063 and its flagship projects. Hon. Chief Charumbira also underscored the importance of regular coordination between AU organs, including the Pan-African Parliament, to avoid the current disjointed approach, where AU bodies often operate independently. He emphasized that the ongoing reforms present a unique opportunity to enhance the role of the Pan-African Parliament in continental governance. The Parliament, he noted, is crucial to achieving the AU’s objectives, as its functions align with the vision and goals of the Union, as outlined in the AU’s Constitutive Act.
In response, President Ruto acknowledged the dysfunctionality within the AU and affirmed his commitment to the reform process. He emphasized the need for the Pan-African Parliament to take on a more active role in connecting the AU to African citizens and providing oversight of all AU organs, including the budget.
“The AU can no longer afford to operate in silos, disconnected from the people. The Pan-African Parliament must ensure that African citizens’ voices are heard, and that AU resources are managed efficiently,” said President Ruto.
The Pan-African Parliament delegation included the 3rd Vice President, Hon. Lucia Dos Passos; Chairperson of the Western Caucus, Hon. Mbow; Chairperson of the Rules Committee, Hon. Mikaya; and members of Kenya's PAP delegation: Hon. Danson Mungatana, Hon. Rahab Mukami, and Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga.
This meeting marked a crucial step in aligning the AU's reform agenda with broader goals of improving governance, transparency, and citizen engagement across the continent with a stronger Parliament at the heart of it. Both parties expressed optimism that these reforms would strengthen the AU and enhance the Pan-African Parliament's role in advancing Africa's development agenda.
