by Chengetai Madziwa – SANF 04 no 85
The Pan African Parliament will have its first regular session in South Africa when its 265 members from all over Africa gather on 16 September.
The legislators, from 53 African countries will hold their first parliamentary session at the Gallagher Estates, Midrand, which will serve as a temporary venue for five years until a permanent facility is constructed in the country.
South Africa won the bid in July to host the Pan African Parliament. The Africa Union (AU) headquarters is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The purpose of the Pan African Parliament, as stated in the Constitutive Act of the AU, is to give “concrete expression to the common vision of a united, integrated and strong Africa”.
The parliament also serves to consolidate the aspirations of the African people for greater unity, solidarity and cohesion in a larger community transcending cultural, ideological, ethnic, religious and national differences.
The objectives of the parliament are to facilitate the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the AU, to promote the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa and to encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in member states.
Speaking at the launch of the Pan African Parliament, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in March this year, the AU Commission chairperson, Alpha Oumar Konare said, “The parliament has a vital role in the implementation of the objectives and principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the Union, particularly with regard to the protection of human rights, consolidation of democratic institutions, popularisation and promotion of good governance.”
The Parliament is mandated to carry out a consultative and advisory role with the aim of ultimately evolving into an institution with full legislative powers.
Africans have welcomed the parliament, which will provide them with a platform for more involvement in discussions and decision-making on the opportunities and challenges facing the continent.
During the launch in March, the then chairperson of the AU, President Joaquim Chissano said, “The Pan African Parliament will, for some time, be the forum of the representatives of African Parliaments. Thus, members of this organ have the critical task of working towards the gradual laying down of the pillars that will sustain the true Pan African Parliament.
“It is necessary to contemplate the rich diversity of the parliamentary practices of our countries,” he added “in order to identify the elements or traits that may show us the way we should follow so as to reach the desired harmonisation.”
The Parliament also seeks to familiarise the peoples of Africa with the objectives and policies aimed at integrating the African continent within the framework of the establishment of the AU, to promote peace, security and stability and to contribute to a more prosperous future for the peoples of Africa by promoting collective self-reliance and economic recovery.
Members of the parliament are expected to facilitate cooperation and development in Africa, strengthen continental solidarity and build a sense of common destiny among the peoples of Africa while facilitating cooperation among regional economic communities such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and their parliamentary bodies.
The Pan African Parliament elected Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella of the United Republic of Tanzania as President for the next five years. The Vice-Presidents are: Prof F. Jose Dias Van-Du’Nem from Angola, first Vice-President (South); Dr. Mohammed Lutfi Farahat from Libya, second Vice-President (North); Mrs. Loum N. Ne’loumsei Elise from Chad, third Vice-President (Central); Mr. Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere from Benin, fourth Vice-President (West).
Members of the legislative body are selected from the national legislatures or other deliberative organs of member states, reflecting the diversity of political opinions in these organs. The tenure of each member at the parliament will run concurrently with his or her term in the national house.
The parliament is expected to meet for at least two sessions a year. (SARDC)
