The opening ceremony of the first Extraordinary Session 2021 of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) took place Monday, March 29, 2021 in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone.
The main topic of this Session: adoption of the strategic plan (2020-2024) of the Fifth Legislature of ECOWAS Parliament.
The strategic plan is a framework for guiding programs and activities of the parliament for the current legislative term. It clearly states the vision, mission, goals and objectives of the institution. It takes into account the achievements of previous legislatures and takes into consideration the major political, economic, social and environmental changes taking place in the West African region and in the world.
Two important communications are also planned during this parliamentary meeting. The first deals with “the general situation of youth in the ECOWAS region”. Commissioner responsible for social and gender affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, Siga Fatima Jagne, will make this presentation. The second presentation was on “the evolution of COVID-19 pandemic in the ECOWAS Community”. The Director General of the West African Health Organization (WAHO), Stanley Okolo, will deliver the presentation.
The opening ceremony of the Session was graced by the presence of the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio. He was joined by the Chairman of the National Transitional Council of Mali, Malick Diaw, Speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea, Amadou Damaro Camara, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou, and the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis.
Speaker Tunis, a Sierra Leonean national, said he was “overwhelmed with joy and moved by a great sense of happiness” for holding this meeting in his country. Beyond the emotion, he stressed the need for the parliament to adopt this four-year strategic plan (2020-2024) “The Strategic Plan will provide guidance in decision-making and resource allocation to enable Parliament to achieve its objectives,” he said.
The election of ECOWAS Members of Parliament by direct universal suffrage is a key policy agenda of Speaker Tunis’ term. “Direct election by the people we serve, gives leaders a sense of responsibility and makes them realize that they have been chosen by the people to play a patriotic and dedicated role,” he said. He asked President Julius Maada Bio to “spearhead” the cause at the ECOWAS Conference of Heads of State and Government.
The Sierra Leonean President was receptive to this request. “I share the view that direct universal suffrage promotes accountability in the representation process,” he said. Five MPs from Ghana (Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin; Abdul-Aziz Ayaba Musah; Johnson Kwaku Adu; Laadi Ayii Ayamba; Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah) and one from Nigeria (Ajayi Borrofice) were sworn in during the ceremony. They are now full Members of the Community Parliament.
[post_date_unix] => 1617619555 [post_date] => April 5, 2021 [post_modified] => April 5, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/adoption-of-2020-2024-strategic-plan-at-first-extraordinary-session-of-ecowas-parliament/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [579] => Array ( [post_id] => 579 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 580 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/speaker-tunis-makes-direct-election-of-ecowas-mps-his-flagship-political-program/ [post_title] => Speaker Tunis makes Direct Election of ECOWAS MPs his Flagship Political Program [post_title_attribute] => Speaker Tunis makes Direct Election of ECOWAS MPs his Flagship Political Program [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>Aware of the important role that an elected parliament plays in facilitating people’s participation in regional governance, the Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Sidie Mohamed Tunis, has made the election of members of parliament by direct universal suffrage the political flagship program of his term.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the 1st Special Session 2021 of the Community Parliamentary in Freetown, Speaker Tunis expressed his commitment to the realization of this political ideal. “Direct election by the people we serve gives leaders a sense of responsibility and makes them realize that they have been chosen by the people to play a patriotic and dedicated role,” he said.
In his speech at the opening of the inaugural Session of the 5th legislature on March 9, 2020 in Niamey, President Mahamoudou Issoufou of Niger, then Chairman of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, had strongly emphasized the need to elect Community MPs by direct universal suffrage. “In order to strengthen your role in the ECOWAS region, we must accelerate your election by direct universal suffrage. This will give more power to our regional parliament. “He advocated.
In this view and in response to the call from the Nigerian president, Speaker Tunis has set up an ad ‘hoc committee of sixteen deputies to begin discussions on the election of community MPs by direct universal suffrage. The committee held its first meeting from December 8 to 12, 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria.
In the report, the ad hoc committee, on the basis of the texts of the parliament which advocate the election of Community MPs by direct universal suffrage, recommends putting an end to the election of Members of the ECOWAS Parliament by National Parliaments and to the dual mandate of MPs in the community parliament.
Indeed, under Article 18 of the Supplementary Act of December 2016 on the strengthening of the powers of Parliament, 115 members of the Community Assembly are elected by direct universal suffrage by citizens of Member States. Until the election is effective, National Assemblies of Member States or equivalent bodies elect ECOWAS MPs from among their Members.
Thus, to be a member of ECOWAS Parliament, one must first be a Member of Parliament in one’s own country, hence the dual mandate.
By placing this legislature under the sign of the transition to universal suffrage for ECOWAS Members of Parliament, Speaker Tunis intends to end the dual mandate and give the Community Parliament full representativeness due to its rank. The commitment was welcomed by the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, who “shares the view that direct universal suffrage promotes accountability in the representation process.
[post_date_unix] => 1617576211 [post_date] => April 4, 2021 [post_modified] => April 4, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/speaker-tunis-makes-direct-election-of-ecowas-mps-his-flagship-political-program/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [576] => Array ( [post_id] => 576 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 577 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/capitol-police-union-urges-security-increases-after-latest-attack/ [post_title] => Capitol Police Union Urges Security Increases after Latest Attack [post_title_attribute] => Capitol Police Union Urges Security Increases after Latest Attack [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>By Allan Smith and Frank Thorp V
The Capitol Police Union's head pushed Congress on Sunday to ramp up security after a second attack at the complex this year left another officer dead and also warned of a possible thinning of the department's ranks.
Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the U.S. Capitol Police Labor Committee, noted in a statement that the department is currently 233 officers below its authorized level of more than 2,000.
"We are struggling to meet existing mission requirements even with the officers working massive amounts of forced overtime," he said. "In the next 3-5 years we have another 500 officers who will be eligible to retire. Many of these officers could put in their retirement papers tomorrow. I’ve had many younger officers confide in me that they’re actively looking at other agencies and departments right now."
Papathanasiou said the latest attack on Friday, which killed Officer William Evans, has left his peers "reeling." He noted Evans was "well respected within the department and his loss will not be forgotten."
Officer Brian Sicknick died from injuries suffered during the Jan. 6 riot. Another Capitol Police officer died by suicide weeks later.
"We have now lost two officers in the line of duty this year," he said. "Another officer has taken his own life and we have 80 officers who were seriously injured in the insurrection. Some of those injured officers may never return to duty."
The chairman called on Congress to implement the recommendations presented last month as part of a task force looking into the Jan. 6 riot, which left five people dead including a which was led by retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré. But he said "our first priority has to be retaining our existing officers."
That report recommends Capitol Police fill all open positions and adds another nearly 800 positions "to fill assessed capability gaps, which includes intelligence specialists, operational planners, supervisors, Civil Disturbance Unit (CDU) personnel and trainers, and dignitary protection agents, to name just a few."
On Friday, 25-year-old Noah Green of Indiana drove a car into a security barricade at the Capitol complex. He was shot after jumping out of the car with a knife and "lunging" at officers, as Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said. Green later died at an area hospital.
Evans was killed in the attack while a second officer, Kenny Shaver, was injured. Shaver was released from a hospital on Saturday.
Speaking with ABC's "This Week" on Sunday, Honoré said Congress needs to "move forward now" to pass supplemental funding for the force.
"We gave them the plan. We worked hard to give it to them. Now they've got to work to make that plan come through, and that's called a supplemental because the police in the Capitol deserve this," he said. "Our nation deserves it. And those families who have lost loved ones deserve it. And we need to up our game in support of the Capitol Police."
Also on "This Week," Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said Congress must think "about how we're gathering intelligence as it relates to the Capitol, and what we're doing to recruit, and what we're doing to train" when considering additional Capitol police funding.
"I think that's maybe even more important than the size of the force," adding that the focus should be "how we secure the Capitol, but at the same time, make it as secure as it needs to be but as free as we could possibly make it," noting he is in favor of removing permanent fencing around the complex.
"It's an important element of who we are," he said of the Capitol. "It's an important symbol of who we are. And we need to keep that in mind with every decision we make."
[post_date_unix] => 1617575117 [post_date] => April 4, 2021 [post_modified] => April 4, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/capitol-police-union-urges-security-increases-after-latest-attack/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [573] => Array ( [post_id] => 573 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 574 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/biden-says-senate-filibuster-is-being-abused-and-must-be-changed/ [post_title] => Biden says Senate filibuster is being ‘abused’ and must be changed [post_title_attribute] => Biden says Senate filibuster is being ‘abused’ and must be changed [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden again championed a "talking filibuster" Thursday to make it harder for a minority party to block bills, and for the first time expressed willingness to go further in overhauling the rule.
At his first press conference as president, Biden received numerous questions about the 60-vote threshold, and said it is "being abused in a gigantic way."
He said the rule should be reverted to a "talking filibuster," which was altered to a silent filibuster in the 1970s. "You had to stand there and talk and talk and talk and talk until you collapse," he said, adding that eventually the talking ends and the Senate can proceed.
"I strongly support moving in that direction," Biden said.
The president's remarks come as large portions of his agenda are threatened by the 60-vote threshold in the Senate, due to widespread Republican opposition in a chamber divided 50-50 between the parties. He said his goal is to find a way to negotiate and make progress on his goals.
But he also indicated he might support going further, if that fails.
"We're going to get a lot done. And if we have to — if there's complete lockdown and chaos as a consequence of the filibuster, then we'll have to go beyond what I'm talking about," Biden said.
At this time, Democrats don't have the 50 Senate votes required to abolish the filibuster, with some prominent holdouts who support the effective supermajority requirement to pass bills.
Biden said he intends to "get things done" consistent with his campaign promises and added: "I have never been particularly poor at calculating how to get things done in the United States Senate."
Biden doesn't get a vote on the filibuster, but his position matters. It could be influential with moderate Democratic senators who are on the fence. And if the caucus is unified about abolishing or modifying it, then Vice President Kamala Harris would cast the decisive vote.
Asked Thursday if he agrees with former President Barack Obama that the filibuster is a "Jim Crow relic," Biden replied: "Yes."
Republicans noted that the position is a reversal for Biden, who served in the Senate for 36 years and has a long record of defending the 60-vote rule.
"Senator Biden was a relentless defender of the filibuster — but now that President Biden looks in the mirror and sees FDR, he’s keeping the door open for a complete 180 to blow up the institution he spent four decades defending," Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., said in a statement.
[post_date_unix] => 1617573912 [post_date] => April 4, 2021 [post_modified] => April 4, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/biden-says-senate-filibuster-is-being-abused-and-must-be-changed/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [570] => Array ( [post_id] => 570 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 571 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/plastic-in-the-ocean-the-facts-effects-and-new-eu-rules/ [post_title] => Plastic in the ocean: the facts, effects and new EU rules [post_title_attribute] => Plastic in the ocean: the facts, effects and new EU rules [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>Find out key facts about plastic in the ocean with our infographics, as well discover their impact and how the EU is acting to reduce plastic litter in the seas.
The results of today’s single-use, throw-away plastic culture can be seen on sea shores and in oceans everywhere. Plastic waste is increasingly polluting the oceans and according to one estimation, by 2050 the oceans could contain more plastic than fish by weight.
Plastics is one of the seven areas considered as crucial by the European Commission to achieving a circular economy in the EU by 2050. Besides the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy, which would phase out the use of microplastics, the Commission is expected to come up with more proposals to address plastic waste, including microplastics, later this year.
Learn more about what the EU does to reduce plastic pollution
EU rules, adopted by MEPs on 27 March 2019, tackle lost fishing gear and the 10 single-use plastic products most widely found on European shores. Together these two groups account for 70% of marine litter. These new rules were also approved by the Council in May 2019.
EU rules, adopted by MEPs on 27 March 2019, tackle lost fishing gear and the 10 single-use plastic products most widely found on European shores. Together these two groups account for 70% of marine litter. These new rules were also approved by the Council in May 2019.
Problem
Plastic doesn’t just make a mess on the shores, it also hurts marine animals who get entangled in larger pieces and mistake smaller pieces for food. Ingestion of plastic particles can prevent them from digesting normal food and might attract toxic chemical pollutants to their organisms.
Humans eat plastic through the food chain. How this affects their health is unknown.
Sea litter causes economic losses for sectors and communities dependent on the sea but also for manufacturers: only about 5% of the value of plastic packaging stays in the economy – the rest is literally dumped, showing the need for a approach focussed more on recycling and reusing materials.
Infographic on plastic and non-plastic marine litter by type
EU ban on single plastics
The most effective way to tackle the problem is to prevent more plastic getting in the ocean.
Single-use plastic items are the biggest single group of waste found on sea shores: products such as plastic cutlery, drink bottles, cigarette butts or cotton buds make up almost half of all sea litter.
To address this issue, the EU has implemented a total ban for single-use plastic items for which alternatives in other materials are already readily available: cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, drink stirrers and balloon sticks. MEPs also added oxo-degradable plastic products and fast food containers made out of polystyrene to the list .
A range of other measures was approved:
- Extended producer responsibility, especially for tobacco companies, in order to strengthen the application of the polluter pays principle. This new regime will also apply to fishing gear, to ensure that manufacturers, and not fishermen, bear the costs of collecting nets lost at sea.
- Collection target of 90% by 2029 for drink bottles (for example through deposit refund systems)
- A 25% target for recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030
- Labelling requirements for tobacco products with filters, plastic cups, sanitary towels and wet wipes to alert users to their correct disposal
- Awareness-raising
For fishing gear, which accounts for 27% of sea litter, producers would need to cover the costs of waste management from port reception facilities. EU countries should also collect at least 50% of lost fishing gear per year and recycle 15% of it by 2025.
Impact of marine litter on fisheries
In a resolution adopted on 25 March, the European Parliament is calling for measures to urgently reduce marine litter, including more restrictions on single-use plastics and increasing the use of sustainably made materials designed for fishing gear.
MEPs have stressed how marine waste damages ecosystems and consumers as well as fishing activities and fishermen.
730 tonnes of waste are dumped in the Mediterranean every day
- Fisheries and aquaculture waste accounts for 27% of marine waste. To tackle the phenomena of "ghost gear"(which is the loss of fishing gear at sea), MEPs want mapping, reporting and tracking as well as investment in research and innovation to develop eco-friendly fishing equipment. They also call on the Commission to propose phasing out expanded polystyrene containers and packaging from fishery products, as well as all unnecessary plastic and packaging in general.
MEPs also want to see a reinforced maritime vision in the European Green Deal, the Biodiversity Strategy and the Farm to Fork Strategy and call on the Commission to speed up the development of a circular economy in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
[post_date_unix] => 1617572872 [post_date] => April 4, 2021 [post_modified] => April 4, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/plastic-in-the-ocean-the-facts-effects-and-new-eu-rules/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [549] => Array ( [post_id] => 549 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 550 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/how-eu-parliament-wants-to-shape-rules-for-non-personal-data-sharing/ [post_title] => How EU Parliament wants to Shape Rules for Non-Personal Data Sharing [post_title_attribute] => How EU Parliament wants to Shape Rules for Non-Personal Data Sharing [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>Find out how MEPs want to shape the EU's rules for non-personal data sharing to boost innovation and the economy while protecting privacy.
Data is at the heart of the EU's digital transformation that is influencing all aspects of society and the economy. It is necessary for the development of artificial intelligence, which is one of the EU's priorities, and presents significant opportunities for innovation, recovery after the Covid-19 crisis and growth, for example in health and green technologies.
Read more about big data opportunities and challenges
Responding to the European Commission's European Strategy for Data, the Parliament called for legislation focussed on people based on European values of privacy and transparency that will enable Europeans and EU-based companies to benefit from the potential of industrial and public data in a report adopted on 25 March 2021.
The benefits of an EU data economy
MEPs said that the crisis has shown the need for efficient data legislation that will support research and innovation. Large quantities of quality data, notably non-personal - industrial, public, and commercial - already exist in the EU and their full potential is yet to be explored. In the coming years, much more data will be generated. MEPs expect data legislation to help tap into this potential and make data available to European companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and researchers.
Enabling data flow between sectors and countries will help European businesses of all sizes to innovate and thrive in Europe and beyond and help establish the EU as a leader in the data economy.
The Commission projects that the data economy in the EU could grow from €301 billion in 2018 to €829 billion in 2025, with the number of data professionals rising from 5.7 to 10.9 million.
Europe's global competitors, such as the US and China, are innovating quickly and applying their ways of data access and use. To become a leader in the data economy, the EU should find a European way to unleash potential and set standards.
Rules to protect privacy, transparency and fundamental rights
MEPs said rules should be based on privacy, transparency and respect for fundamental rights. The frree sharing of data must be limited to non-personal data or irreversibly anonymised data. Individuals must be in full control of their data and be protected by EU data protection rules, notably the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The Parliament called on the Commission and EU countries to work with other countries on global standards to promote EU values and principles and ensure the Union’s market remains competitive.
European data spaces and big data infrastructure
Calling for the free flow of data to be the guiding principle, MEPs urged the Commission and EU countries to create sectoral data spaces that will enable the sharing of data while following common guidelines, legal requirements and protocols. In light of the pandemic, MEPs said that special attention should be given to the Common European Health Data Space.
As the success of the data strategy depends largely on information and communication technology infrastructure, MEPs called for accelerating technological developments in the EU, such as cybersecurity technology, optical fibres, 5G and 6G, and welcomed proposals to advance Europe's role in supercomputing and quantum computing. They warned that the digital divide between regions should be tackled to ensure equal possibilities, especially in light of the post-Covid recovery.
Environmental footprint of big data
While data has the potential to support green technologies and the EU's goal to become climate neutral by 2050, the digital sector is responsible for more than 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As it grows, it must focus on lowering its carbon footprint and reducing E-waste, MEPs said.
EU data sharing legislation
The Commission presented a European strategy for data in February 2020. The strategy and the White paper on artificial intelligence are the first pillars of the Commission's digital strategy.
Read more about artificial intelligence opportunities and what the Parliament wants
The Parliaments expects the report to be taken into account in the new Data Act that the Commission will present in the second half of 2021.
Parliament is also working on a report on the Data Governance Act that the Commission presented in December 2020 as part of the strategy for data. It aims to increase data availability and strengthen trust in data sharing and in intermediaries.
[post_date_unix] => 1617465554 [post_date] => April 3, 2021 [post_modified] => April 3, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/how-eu-parliament-wants-to-shape-rules-for-non-personal-data-sharing/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [546] => Array ( [post_id] => 546 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 547 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/meps-envision-deeper-strategy-for-a-new-eu-africa-partnership/ [post_title] => MEPs Envision Deeper strategy for a new EU-Africa partnership [post_title_attribute] => MEPs Envision Deeper strategy for a new EU-Africa partnership [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>Europe and Africa must move away from a donor-recipient relationship, Parliament says, as MEPs vision for a deeper relationship between the two continents.
On Thursday, MEPs adopted a wide-ranging strategy for a new EU-Africa partnership by 460 votes in favour, with 64 votes against and 163 abstentions.
The strategy emphasises that human development must be at the centre of future EU-Africa relations, prioritising education, including teacher training, reducing early school leaving, and concentrate on the inclusion of girls. A future EU-Africa strategy should also aim to improve health care and national health systems.
Additionally, MEPs call for cooperation on issues such as the green transition, energy, digital transformation, sustainable jobs, good governance and migration, as already identified by the Commission and the European External Action Service.
Empowering Africa
MEPs underline that the EU-Africa relationship must “move beyond the donor-recipient relationship”. Instead, the EU and Africa should cooperate on equal terms, as part of an EU-Africa strategy that empowers African governments to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), curb climate change, and foster gender equality, among other targets. To achieve this, MEPs call for substantial funds to be earmarked for the SDGs in the upcoming external financial instrument NDICI - Global Europe.
Expectations for a future strategy
Parliament’s expectations for the future EU-Africa strategy also include long-term EU financial and technical support for African countries to boost climate adaptation, and today’s report includes a demand for Europe to support African regional integration with the intention of eventually helping to reduce the continent’s dependence on foreign imports.
The EU also has to encourage African ambitions for a continental free trade area, while international lenders, such as the IMF and the World Bank, should do more to relieve African government debt, MEPs stress.
Finally, they demanded the EU protects sexual and reproductive health and rights in the new partnership, alongside the safeguarding of the human dignity of refugees and migrants.
Quote
Rapporteur Chrysoula Zacharopoulou (Renew, FR), said: Africa, in all its diversity and desire to release its untapped potential, will have a decisive impact on the future of the world. Our African friends are our allies and all Europeans have to grasp the importance and the opportunity that this partnership offers to us. This Parliament wants a partnership that places human relationships at its centre, which starts with reinforcing Africa's healthcare systems; we also have to implement an EU-Africa Green Pact. To succeed, we will need all 27 member states - and not just a select few – to actively engage in this partnership.”
Next steps
The resolution will contribute to the development of the future EU-Africa strategy. The process will be concluded with the adoption of the joint strategy at the EU-African Union Summit, to be held later this year.
Background
In 2020, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the renewal of the EU-Africa relationship.
[post_date_unix] => 1617463904 [post_date] => April 3, 2021 [post_modified] => April 3, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/meps-envision-deeper-strategy-for-a-new-eu-africa-partnership/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [536] => Array ( [post_id] => 536 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 537 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/south-african-govt-ready-to-host-paps-may-ordinary-session/ [post_title] => South African Govt Ready to Host PAP’s May Ordinary Session [post_title_attribute] => South African Govt Ready to Host PAP’s May Ordinary Session [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>The Republic of South Africa, host country of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), has committed to hosting the 4th Ordinary Session of the fifth Parliament. The session will be held in-person at the Parliament’s headquarters in Midrand, from 14 to 28 May 2021.
This follows a meeting between a delegation of the legislative arm of the African Union, led by Acting President, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), represented by Deputy Minister Candith Mashego-Dlamini.
Lockdown measures put in place in South Africa and around the continent to combat the COVID-19 pandemic had required thorough consultations between the two parties on the ability of the host country to provide its habitual support to the PAP, and authorise a face-to-face Ordinary Session to be held on South African soil.
Given the special nature of the upcoming statutory meeting and following an assessment of the current context, the South African government has confirmed its readiness to host of the Session of the PAP next month under strict COVID-19 guidelines and protocols. As a reminder, the 4th Ordinary Session of the fifth Parliament will include the election of the new Bureau of the continental Parliament.
Officials from DIRCO and the PAP have begun consultations on the logistical arrangements to ensure the success of the upcoming Session. Hon. Chief Charumbira, Acting President of the PAP, has expressed his gratitude to the Government of South Africa for stepping up once again to provide the necessary platform for the PAP to carry out its mandate on behalf of the people of Africa.
“South Africa has been a gracious host to the PAP and their pledge to host the Ordinary Session in the current context further highlights the country’s commitment to the African story of integration. The upcoming Ordinary Session is crucial as it will involve the renewal of the leadership of all organs of our Parliament. It is important that it is an in-person Session to ensure a smooth process. We thank the Government of South Africa for heeding the call,” says Hon. Charumbira.
The organisation of the 4th Ordinary Session of the fifth Parliament was a key item on the agenda of the meeting of the interim Bureau of the PAP, which took place in Midrand from 26 to 31 March 2021.
Source: Pan African Parliament
[post_date_unix] => 1617372695 [post_date] => April 2, 2021 [post_modified] => April 2, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/south-african-govt-ready-to-host-paps-may-ordinary-session/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [539] => Array ( [post_id] => 539 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 541 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/paps-fifth-parliaments-interim-bureau-meets-in-midrand/ [post_title] => PAP’s fifth Parliament’s Interim Bureau Meets in Midrand [post_title_attribute] => PAP’s fifth Parliament’s Interim Bureau Meets in Midrand [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is convening at the Parliament’s Headquarters in Midrand, South Africa to hold its 19th meeting. This is also the first engagement of the interim Bureau, which comprises of Regional Caucus Chairpersons. The meeting is chaired by Acting President Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira.
The five-day meeting of the Bureau is expected to review and discuss the mandate and responsibilities of the interim Bureau; sittings of the Permanent Committees; logistical preparedness for virtual meetings; 2021 and 2022 PAP Budgets; engagements with the African Union Commission leadership as well as the pending retreat with the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC).
Preparations for the next ordinary session of the 5th Parliament are also on the agenda of the Bureau meeting. The Bureau is further meeting with the Clerk of Parliament and members of the Secretariat to receive reports on various aspects pertaining to the institutional state of readiness and staff matters.
On the sidelines of the Bureau meeting, the Committee on Audit and Public Accounts (CAPA) is also meeting on the organisational Audit of the PAP. The Committee is scheduled to meet with the Bureau on the progress of the audit and obtain their input on procedures for the successful completion of the project.
The interim Bureau is responsible for running the affairs of the Parliament until the next Plenary Session of the PAP, when a full Bureau is expected to be reconstituted. This follows a resolution adopted during the meetings on the revision of the PAP Rules of Procedure and the Joint Bureau and Bureaux of Committees and Caucuses, which took place from 8 to 12 March 2021 in Midrand.
[post_date_unix] => 1617120600 [post_date] => March 30, 2021 [post_modified] => April 2, 2021 [post_author_url] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/author/parliamentnews360/ [post_author_name] => Clement Akoloh [post_author_email] => senaakoloh@gmail.com [post_comments_no] => 0 [post_comments_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/paps-fifth-parliaments-interim-bureau-meets-in-midrand/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) ) [loop_pagination] => Array ( [pagenavi_options] => Array ( [pages_text] => Page %CURRENT_PAGE% of %TOTAL_PAGES% [current_text] => %PAGE_NUMBER% [page_text] => %PAGE_NUMBER% [first_text] => 1 [last_text] => %TOTAL_PAGES% [next_text] => [prev_text] => [dotright_text] => ... [dotleft_text] => ... [num_pages] => 3 [always_show] => 1 ) [paged] => 10 [max_page] => 12 [start_page] => 9 [end_page] => 11 [pages_to_show] => 3 [previous_posts_link] => [next_posts_link] => ) [category_id] => 49 )
