Pan-African Parliament

Pan-African Parliament. It is the legislative body of the African Union, established to provide a platform for the peoples of Africa to have greater representation in the continent's governance. The institution was inaugurated on 18 March 2004 and has its permanent seat in Midrand, South Africa. Its creation was envisioned in the Sirte Declaration and formalized by the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community.

History and establishment

The concept was championed by leaders like Muammar Gaddafi of Libya during the pivotal Organization of African Unity summit in Sirte in 1999. The foundational treaty, the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament, was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003 following ratification by a majority of member states. The inaugural session was held in 2004 under the presidency of Gertrude Mongella of Tanzania, with the ceremony attended by dignitaries including then-President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. Its establishment was a key step in the transition from the Organization of African Unity to the more integrated African Union.

Structure and composition

It is composed of 275 members, apportioned among the member states of the African Union based on equitable regional representation. Members are selected from the national parliaments of each country, with five representatives per state, including at least one woman. The structure includes a Bureau consisting of a President and four Vice-Presidents, each representing one of Africa's five regions: Northern Africa, Southern Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and Central Africa. The current President is Fortune Charumbira from Zimbabwe. It operates through various permanent committees, such as those on Justice and Human Rights, Rural Economy, and Trade, Customs and Immigration.

Powers and functions

Initially granted consultative and advisory powers, its primary role is to promote the principles of human rights and democracy across the continent. It is mandated to examine, discuss, and make recommendations on issues affecting the African Union, including matters related to the New Partnership for Africa's Development and the African Peer Review Mechanism. A key objective is its eventual evolution into a fully-fledged legislative organ with law-making powers, as outlined in the Malabo Protocol of 2014, which requires ratification by member states. It also aims to facilitate cooperation between regional bodies like the Economic Community of West African States and the Southern African Development Community.

Sessions and activities

Ordinary sessions are held twice a year at its permanent headquarters in Midrand, near Johannesburg. Notable sessions have addressed continental issues such as conflict resolution in Darfur, the Arab Spring uprisings in North Africa, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. It has conducted election observation missions in countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia. The parliament also hosts thematic conferences and workshops, often in collaboration with partners like the European Parliament and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Challenges and criticisms

A primary challenge has been the slow ratification of the Malabo Protocol, which delays its transformation into a body with substantive legislative authority. Internal governance disputes, such as the contentious 2021 election for its presidency involving candidates from South Africa and Zimbabwe, have led to boycotts and suspensions of sessions by some regional blocs. Critics, including civil society organizations, argue it suffers from a significant democratic deficit, as its members are not directly elected by African citizens. Its effectiveness is also hampered by budgetary constraints, reliance on funding from external partners like the European Union, and the political diversity of its member states, from Morocco to Eswatini.

Category:African Union Category:National legislatures Category:Organizations based in South Africa