The Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict is gathering further important information and data in preparation for their presentation of the Model Law on Nationality before the Plenary on 1 November 2022.
The sixth parliament of PAP is sitting for its first ordinary session in Midrand South Africa from 24 October 2022 to 11 November 2022.
“We need to do more work on the Model Law on Nationality before the presentation on 1 November 2022. Most importantly, the information provided to this Committee by the subject expert Mme Emmanulle Mitte, a representative from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), on 25 August 2022, must be verified before we can proceed,” says Hon. Dr. Eng. Sherif El Gabaly, the chairperson from Egypt.
Following her presentation in August, members of the committee requested Mme Mitte to update the statistics and harmonise the disparity in statistics before the information could be shared with the member states and other relevant stakeholders.
“This is a delicate and very important issue. We need to be cautious and need clarity and expert legal opinion about the situation in African countries,” says Hon. Loide Kasingo, a member from Namibia.
After the presentation to the Plenary on 1 November, the proposed Model Law on Nationality will be further considered and discussed by the Committee, before presenting a request to the Plenary for deliberation.
“The resultant Resolution of the Plenary would then direct the Committee following approval/disapproval, which would then give the Committee direction on how to proceed,” says Hon.Dr. Gabaly.
The Model Law on Nationality is expected to serve as a model for parliamentarians to consider as they amend their laws on nationality. According to Mme Mittle’s, the first cause of “statelessness is a lack of laws on nationality. There are several charters of the African Union (AU) that lend credence to the need to address the issue of statelessness.
Statelessness is defined as the condition of an individual who is not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law. It has a grave impact on the lives of individuals and on the harmony of communities. The main causes of statelessness are gaps in nationality laws.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child have confirmed that statelessness is a violation of the right to human dignity and to legal status established by Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. They state that: “The Right to nationality is a fundamental condition for the enjoyment and protection of the full range of other human rights.”
[post_date_unix] => 1667163480 [post_date] => October 30, 2022 [post_modified] => November 30, 2022 [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/model-law-on-nationality-takes-shape-ahead-of-plenary-presentation/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1590] => Array ( [post_id] => 1590 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1591 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/pap-committee-on-trade-customs-and-immigration-discusses-migrant-workers/ [post_title] => PAP Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Discusses Migrant Workers [post_title_attribute] => PAP Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Discusses Migrant Workers [post_excerpt] => The Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters met to consider a report of a joint seminar held on Labour Migration in Africa ahead of the report’s tabling before the plenary at the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament currently holding in Midrand, South Africa. [post_content] =>The Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters met to consider a report of a joint seminar held on Labour Migration in Africa ahead of the report’s tabling before the plenary at the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament currently holding in Midrand, South Africa.
The seminar was held in conjunction with the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee (AU-LMAC) in August 2022.The PAP session, which kicked off on 24 October and will run through to 11 November 2022, is guided by the African Union (AU) theme for 2022, “Building resilience in nutrition on the African Continent: accelerate the human capital, social and economic development.”
The joint seminar, which ran on the theme “Bridging the gaps in the protection of migrant workers in Africa through advocacy for the use of legal instruments: the role of the PAP and the AU-LMAC,” interrogated issues to do with the protection of vulnerable persons, in particular women, children and people with disabilities.
There were also discussions on the promotion of equal treatment of migrants and scrutiny of the ratification of international labour standards and their integration into national legislation.
Acting Chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Hon Abdou Boubakar said his Committee welcomes the report and its recommendations taking into consideration the precarious conditions in which migrant workers found themselves.
“We are satisfied with the report and we are taking concrete steps in strengthening the protection and the promotion of the rights of migrant workers and their families. We will also work to further strengthen the existing collaborations and put pressure on other key stakeholders to advocate for the ratification and implementation of relevant legal instruments in national legislation,” said Hon Abdou Boubakar.
Formulation of laws, policies and strategies based on human rights and taking into account the gender dimension came up as a recommendation together with building capacities of decision-makers, administrators and institutions in the area of labour migration, decent work and social protection.
Taking into consideration, complex issues that have arisen in relation to migrant workers, the Committee took the opportunity to deliberate on a draft work plan for 2023 with the main highlights including the drafting of a model law on migration in Africa.
Mindful of the need to improve mobility and dialogue between parliamentarians and legislators of AU Member States, regional organs and the PAP, the Committee committed itself to undertake a fact-finding mission to South African border posts.
This is to increase the knowledge and understanding of Committee members on the free movement of people, goods and services at South African border posts, in line with the AU’s Free Movement of Persons and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
[post_date_unix] => 1667162999 [post_date] => October 30, 2022 [post_modified] => November 30, 2022 [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/pap-committee-on-trade-customs-and-immigration-discusses-migrant-workers/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1515] => Array ( [post_id] => 1515 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1517 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/chief-charumbira-leads-pap-delegation-to-the-kingdom-of-morocco/ [post_title] => Chief Charumbira Leads PAP Delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco [post_title_attribute] => Chief Charumbira Leads PAP Delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco [post_excerpt] => Pan-African Parliament (PAP) President, H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira is leading a delegation of the continental Parliament to the Kingdom of Morocco for an official visit at the invitation of the Moroccan Parliament. The visit is taking place from 24 to 27 September 2022. [post_content] =>Pan-African Parliament (PAP) President, H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira is leading a delegation of the continental Parliament to the Kingdom of Morocco for an official visit at the invitation of the Moroccan Parliament. The visit is taking place from 24 to 27 September 2022.
The President of the PAP and his delegation are expected to hold consultations with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Rachidd Talbi Alami and the Speaker of the House of Councilors, Rt. Hon. Naam Miyara. A meeting is also scheduled with the Moroccan delegation to the Pan-African Parliament.
Additionally, the official visit will include engagements with Moroccan government officials, whose portfolios are of key interest to Permanent Committees of the PAP. In this regard, the delegation will pay courtesy calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries and Rural Development, and the Minister of Economy and Finance.
These meetings will seek to draw lessons from the Moroccan developmental model and explore synergies to strengthen the PAP’s oversight, advisory and consultative functions, through the work of its committees.
The President of the legislative organ of the African Union (AU) says that the official visit forms part of the Bureau’s commitment to enhance the visibility of the institution on the continent and strengthen bilateral relations with all AU Member States.
H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira further indicates that the mission in Morocco is in line with a core function of the continental Parliament, which provides for cooperation with regional and national parliaments for the ratification and integration of treaties adopted by the AU into national legal systems.
“The establishment of the PAP is informed by a vision to provide a common platform for African peoples and their grass-roots organizations to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent. Our visit to Morocco, at the invitation of National Parliament, therefore forms part of a series of missions to be conducted across various AU Member States to regain the confidence of the African citizenry and reclaim our place in the continental governance matrix,” says H.E. Hon. Charumbira.
Other key elements of the official visit entail a planned public lecture by the President of the PAP at Mohamed V University in Rabat. The PAP delegation is further scheduled to tour various sites including the Tangier Mediterranean Port, the Mausoleum of the Late His Majesty Mohamed V as well as Mohamed VI Football Compound in the Moroccan capital.
The PAP delegation to the Kingdom of Morocco is comprised of 1st Vice President, Hon. Prof. Massouda Mohamed Laghdaf (Mrs.); 2nd Vice President, Hon. Dr Ashebiri Gayo; 3rd Vice President, Hon. Lúcia dos Passos (Mrs) and 4th Vice President, Hon. Francois Ango Ndoutoume.
Other members of the delegation include Hon. Terrence Mondon (Seychelles) Chairperson of the Eastern Africa Caucus; Hon. Dr. Sherif El-Gabaly (Egypt), Chairperson of the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution; Hon. Kumbi Lomi Bedo (Ethiopia), Rapporteur of the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution; Hon. McHenry Venaani (Namibia), Member of the PAP Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters and Chief Advisor to the President of PAP; Hon. Kampamba S. Mulenga (Zambia), Member of the PAP Committee on Rules and Privileges; and Hon. Thandi Z. Motsa (Eswatini), Member of the PAP Committee on Transport.
[post_date_unix] => 1664197929 [post_date] => September 26, 2022 [post_modified] => September 26, 2022 [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/chief-charumbira-leads-pap-delegation-to-the-kingdom-of-morocco/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1508] => Array ( [post_id] => 1508 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1509 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/waking-the-sleeping-giant-in-the-pan-african-parliament-duty-for-all-and-sundry/ [post_title] => Waking the “Sleeping Giant” in the Pan African Parliament; Duty for All and Sundry [post_title_attribute] => Waking the “Sleeping Giant” in the Pan African Parliament; Duty for All and Sundry [post_excerpt] => That was World War II, in this case the “Sleeping Giant” refers to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) within the architecture of the African Union (AU), the Continental Union of 54 sovereign African states. [post_content] =>By Clement Akoloh
Whenever the phrase, “Waking the Sleeping Giant” surfaces in any conversation, what first comes to mind is that moment in history during World War II, specifically the attack on Pearl Harbour by the Japanese which got the United States of America actively involved in the war.
Until the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US had taken a neutral stance and wasn’t willing to send its military into battle. But once the Japanese struck the naval base on Oahu, the United States awoke from a slumbering state of neutrality, eventually sending over ten million troops to war. With much of its navy destroyed at Midway by the US, the Japanese never fully recovered the power it had before waking a “sleeping giant”.
That was World War II, in this case the “Sleeping Giant” refers to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) within the architecture of the African Union (AU), the Continental Union of 54 sovereign African states.
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is the third organ in order of succession as captured in Article 5 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU); coming only after the General Assembly and the Executive Council in that order.
It is followed by The Court of Justice; The Commission; The Permanent Representatives Committee; The Special Technical Committees; The Economic, Social and Cultural Council; and the Financial Institutions respectively.
It is quite disappointing and very much an understatement to note that all stakeholders in the Pan African Parliament over the years, have been reckless to have allowed such a giant institution of its caliber to go to sleep while the African Union struggles to fully rally its organs around to surmount the myriad of challenges confronting the continent because of the lack of inter-connectedness among the organs.
It is the duty of all and sundry, from the lowest person to the highest authority on the African continent to the ensure that the Pan African Parliament is enabled to do perform the functions it was set out to do when it was established some 18 years ago.
It is a collective gaffe for the political elite, the media, the civil society, and the citizens of Africa if the Pan African Parliament is not household name and viable platform where developmental issues which are common to the four corners of the continent are discussed for solutions to implemented collectively.
It is clear from the Constitutive Act of the AU that, the Pan African Parliament was established to play specialize role within the African Union architecture which is very crucial for the proper functioning of the African continental body as a whole.
The strategic duties, composition, powers, functions and organization of the PAP defined in the protocol, sets it out as the glue which should bind it all together. That is certainly a subject for another day, however, the focus of this article is to point out the role each and every stakeholder could play to help position the PAP to play the role it ought to play to advance the course of sustainable development on the continent.
According to Article 17 of the Constitutive Act of the AU, “In order to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent, a Pan African Parliament shall be established.”
The PAP is like a giant which has been sleeping on its rights and powers for quite some time now. Though the PAP has been vested with a lot of powers, a lot of its powers have been usurped and most of its original functions being performed by other organs below in the hierarchical structure of the organs of the AU.
The political elite on the continent including the AU Chair; the Head of States; the Ministers at the Executive Council; the Members of Parliament delegated to the continental Parliament; and the Bureau Chiefs in charge of the administration of the PAP must show the political will by giving life to the Malabo Protocol which is expected to expand the powers of the PAP from just a consultative Parliament to a fully fledged legislative one for the continent.
According to the 2014 Malabo Protocol, a minimum of 28 countries as supposed to ratify it to kick it into action. However, as we speak, though 22 countries have actually signed the Protocol, only 14 countries have ratified it. Making the operationalization of the Protocol short of the ratification of another 14 member states.
It is somehow refreshing to note that, the Bureau of the PAP led by its President, H. E. Chief Fortune Zephaniah Charumbira, has shown some commitment and political will to seek the needed help to awaken the Pan African Parliament from its slumber to take up its rightful position on the continent.
The President has made overtures to the media on the continent to bring their shoulders to support the push for the PAP to assume the functions of its mandate by ensuring its visibility on the continent. Hence the brewing of a lasting partnership between the continental Parliament and the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN), comprising a network of Parliamentary journalists and Parliamentary officers across the various parliaments on the continent.
To cut a long story short, it is in the best interest of all stakeholders in the African Union and the Pan African Parliament, especially the ordinary people of Africa for the Pan African Parliament to function at its utmost best because it was created “to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent.”
A well-functioning PAP is a well-functioning Africa with the full participation of the people in the development and economic integration of the continent. Giving true meaning to slogan of the Pan African Parliament, “One Africa, One Voice.”
[post_date_unix] => 1663253735 [post_date] => September 15, 2022 [post_modified] => September 15, 2022 [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/waking-the-sleeping-giant-in-the-pan-african-parliament-duty-for-all-and-sundry/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1505] => Array ( [post_id] => 1505 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1506 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/pap-and-africa-forum-to-work-together-on-implementation-of-au-objectives/ [post_title] => PAP and Africa Forum to Work together on Implementation of AU Objectives [post_title_attribute] => PAP and Africa Forum to Work together on Implementation of AU Objectives [post_excerpt] => The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government (Africa Forum) have agreed to establish a collaborative framework to support the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU). [post_content] =>The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government (Africa Forum) have agreed to establish a collaborative framework to support the implementation of the broad objectives of the African Union (AU).
An introductory meeting between the two parties took place on 14 September 2022 at the seat of the continental Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. Presenting the missions and objectives of the Forum, Prof. John Tesha, Executive Secretary of the Africa Forum underscored that the renewed impetus and reinvigoration of the PAP, underpinned by a new political leadership, presents a unique opportunity for cooperation with African Parliamentarians at national, sub-regional and regional levels.
The Africa Forum was formed in 2006 and constitutes an informal network of former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders with the specific functions of advocacy and think tanking. The Forum helps harness the experience, moral authority and good offices of the former African leaders for the purpose of assisting the advancement Africa's social and economic development.
The Bureau, through H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP, welcomed the idea of working closely with Africa’s former leaders on issues of common interest, including advancing African development, particularly by promoting sustainable peace and security, enhancing and sustaining democratic governance in Africa and promoting human rights.
The meeting agreed to hold further consultations with a view to fine-tune, in due course, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on areas of Collaboration. The Executive Secretariat of the Forum has also made a request to be allocated an office space within the PAP precincts as part of the working relationship. The request will be deliberated upon and given due consideration by the PAP Bureau after consultations with relevant stakeholders.
[post_date_unix] => 1663247220 [post_date] => September 15, 2022 [post_modified] => September 15, 2022 [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/pap-and-africa-forum-to-work-together-on-implementation-of-au-objectives/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1499] => Array ( [post_id] => 1499 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1500 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/concerns-raised-over-some-provisions-of-the-malabo-protocol-hon-masondo/ [post_title] => Concerns Raised over Some Provisions of the Malabo Protocol – Hon. Masondo [post_title_attribute] => Concerns Raised over Some Provisions of the Malabo Protocol – Hon. Masondo [post_excerpt] => The National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Hon. Amos Masondo, has expressed reservations over certain provisions in the Malabo Protocol which is undergoing ratification by African Union (AU) member States. [post_content] =>The National Council of Provinces Chairperson, Hon. Amos Masondo, has expressed reservations over certain provisions in the Malabo Protocol which is undergoing ratification by African Union (AU) member States.
Under a constitution which came into full effect in 1997, the National Council of Provinces is the upper house of the Parliament of South Africa.
The Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, also known as Malabo Protocol has so far been ratified by fourteen member States and requires fourteen more ratifications to come into force.
Masondo was speaking at the second day of the 11th Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments, held at the PAP headquarters in Midrand from 01 – 02 September 2022.
He expressed concern over Article 5(1)(a) of the Protocol which provides that the National Parliament, or other deliberative body, shall elect from outside its membership five Members to serve in the PAP. This places an obligation on National Parliaments to elect people who are not members of their national parliament to represent the interest of the country at a continental level. “Who will they be reporting to when they return from parliament” he queried.
Masondo stated that it was unclear how these independent people would account to Parliament and what recourse would Parliament have against those independent people if they fail to or refuse to account to Parliament.
Another area of concern is Article 5(6) which provides that for the avoidance of doubt, an MP from a National Parliament or other deliberative body is eligible to contest an election to the PAP. The Article further provides that, if elected, the Member shall resign from the National Parliament or other deliberative body.
Masondo maintained that this provision leaves such a Member with no clear line of accountability because the members of parliament are elected to represent the interests of the people in Parliament and to account for every aspect of their work as the representatives of the people.
On the two and half (21/2) year tenure for the members of the Bureau of the Parliament renewable once, Masondo submitted that it will create instability since the tenure of the members of the Parliament is five years. In his opinion, the tenure of the Bureau should have been the same five (5) years for the members of the Parliament.
He stated that Article 10 (1) and (2) which provides that the Pan-African Parliamentarians shall be paid allowances by their respective State Parties is an objectionable provision as it was unthinkable that State Parties would continue to pay allowances to independent people elected outside the normal electoral processes of the Member State.
Chairperson Masondo said Article 19(2) of the Protocol is one of the very crucial provisions of the reviewed Protocol as it provides that the PAP shall periodically submit a report in writing on its work to National Parliaments for information. He said this was a very important step as it seeks to ensure accountability. The submission of these reports will ensure that National Parliaments are aware of what the PAP is doing, and where necessary, debates the reports of the PAP, said the Chairperson adding that this is a good step as it will ensure accountability and could also assist in popularising the PAP in the Member States and communities.
The Chairperson said Article 4(3) of the Malabo Protocol will mark a departure from the current protocol as it will increase the number of females in each country delegation from one to two and a delegation which does not satisfy this requirement shall not have the right to be accredited for representation in the PAP.
[post_date_unix] => 1662575376 [post_date] => September 7, 2022 [post_modified] => September 7, 2022 [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/concerns-raised-over-some-provisions-of-the-malabo-protocol-hon-masondo/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1491] => Array ( [post_id] => 1491 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1492 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/paps-charumbira-calls-on-kenyas-prez-elect-to-keep-promise-of-unity-after-confirmation-of-results/ [post_title] => PAP’s Charumbira Calls on Kenya’s Prez-Elect to Keep Promise of Unity After Confirmation of Results [post_title_attribute] => PAP’s Charumbira Calls on Kenya’s Prez-Elect to Keep Promise of Unity After Confirmation of Results [post_excerpt] => [post_content] =>The President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), H. E. Chief Fortune Zephaniah Charumbira, has called on the President Elect of the Republic of Kenya, H. E. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, to keep the country together in peace and harmony even after a protracted election dispute as promised.
He assured him of the full support of the Pan African Parliament in the country’s quest towards pluralistic democracy, and sustainable socio-economic development predicated on tolerance, peace and stability.
The President of the continental Parliament made the call in a congratulatory message dated September 6, 2022 from the Headquarters of the PAP at Midrand, South Africa, which read, “We welcome the conciliatory tone adopted by His Excellency, President-Elect Ruto, and undertake to hold him to account for his promise to extend a hand of friendship to his political opponents and unite Kenyans in the endeavour to build a country that every Kenyan will be proud to call home.”
This follows the unanimous confirmation by the Supreme Court of the results of the General Elections held on 9th August, 2022, which the PAP President indicated that, “it attests to the unfettered independence of the Judiciary, which is a critical tenet of democracy, as well as Kenyans institutional commitment to representative democracy and respect for the will of the people.”
The message continues by indicating that, “The Pan African Parliament is proud to have been an integral part of the AU Joint Election Observation Mission to Kenya. As the continental representative institution whose sacred mandate is drawn from the African citizenry, we are gratified to note that and strongly identify with Kenya’s burgeoning democracy and political tolerance.
“Despite widespread uncertainty across the country arising from the protracted election challenge, the people of Kenya exorcised the ghosts of past elections by waiting patiently for the Supreme Court to pronounce itself on the outcome of the elections without resorting to violence.”
The call by the Chief Charumbira is in line with the functions of the Pan African Parliament as espoused in Rule 4(b) of the PAP Rules of Procedure which enjoins the Pan African Parliament to “Promote human and people’s rights, consolidate democratic institutions and the democratic culture, good governance, transparency, and the rule of law by all Organs of the Union, Regional Economic Communities and Member States.
Below is the full congratulatory message to the President-Elect
Source:Clement Akoloh
[post_date_unix] => 1662571414 [post_date] => September 7, 2022 [post_modified] => September 7, 2022 [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-charumbira-calls-on-kenyas-prez-elect-to-keep-promise-of-unity-after-confirmation-of-results/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1488] => Array ( [post_id] => 1488 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1489 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/be-partners-in-transforming-the-african-situation-chief-charumbira-charges-media/ [post_title] => Be Partners in Transforming the African Situation – Chief Charumbira Charges Media [post_title_attribute] => Be Partners in Transforming the African Situation – Chief Charumbira Charges Media [post_excerpt] => The President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), H. E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has challenged the media in Africa to be alive to its duties and to become partners in the transformation of the continent. [post_content] =>The President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), H. E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has challenged the media in Africa to be alive to its duties and to become partners in the transformation of the continent.
He urged them to move beyond reporting on issues of what is wrong with the continent and to begin to broach the subject of “why” things are the way they are; and “How” these things could be ameliorated.
"If we are to move ahead we need to provoke thinking. Even the media must be provoked. We are here gathered and we are from Africa, and our duty is to disseminate; communicate and to inform people across the world about certain things that confront us.
"I want to challenge you as media in this room that let's be a media that deals with the What of everything, but let's also be a media that deals with the Why and How. That is a good media," said the President in a keynote address delivered at a workshop organized by the Pan African Parliament for the media at the side lines of the ongoing Sitting of the PAP Permanent Committees in Midrand, South Africa.
According to him, more often than not, the media has remained stacked on diagnosing the myriad of challenges facing the continent while attempts at making progress are missed by this same media.
Speaking specifically to issues related to PAP, Chief Charumbira said, “My point remains that we miss the media in our work. The media should move with us from “what”; to “why”; and “how”. But you tend to remain on What, while we move to the next, we leave you behind then we miss you”.
He therefore expressed the need for the active involvement of the media in the reform process on the continent of Africa as well as the rebranding process of the Pan African Parliament which has been embarked upon by the new Bureau.
The PAP President, H. E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira told the workshop participants including the members of the Steering Committee of the African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) that the Capacity Building Workshop is a conscious effort to make the media an integral part of the new Bureau's attempt to revive, renew, reposition and reinvigorate the Pan-African Parliament.
“The Bureau of the Pan African Parliament is acutely aware that we cannot achieve our new strategic thrust of reviving and repositioning the Pan African Parliament within the continental governance matrix without rebranding the institution...Our desire to rebrand the Pan African Parliament, to create a different identity, is both a proactive and reactive initiative” the President said.
“We invite you to come with us as we begin this difficult journey of rebranding the Pan African Parliament. We invite you to report on the positive thrust that we have started on by ensuring equity and justice throughout all the structures of the Pan African Parliament, by adhering to the principle of geographical rotation.
"Never in the Pan African Parliament’s history, has each Region held the Chairpersonship, Deputy Chair and Rapporteur of at least two Committees as the Bureau of the 6th Parliament has done”, he added.
Source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
[post_date_unix] => 1661996059 [post_date] => September 1, 2022 [post_modified] => September 1, 2022 [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/be-partners-in-transforming-the-african-situation-chief-charumbira-charges-media/#respond [post_theme_settings] => Array ( ) ) [1473] => Array ( [post_id] => 1473 [post_type] => post [has_post_thumbnail] => 1 [post_thumbnail_id] => 1475 [post_link] => https://parliamentnews360.com/index.php/pnafrica-recommends-pap-set-up-model-open-parliament-benchmarks-for-au-countries/ [post_title] => PNAfrica Recommends PAP Set up Model Open Parliament Benchmarks for AU Countries [post_title_attribute] => PNAfrica Recommends PAP Set up Model Open Parliament Benchmarks for AU Countries [post_excerpt] => The Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) has urged the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to consider setting up a benchmark for Parliamentary Openness as a model framework to be adopted by African Parliaments towards an Open Parliament Agenda. [post_content] =>The Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) has urged the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to consider setting up a benchmark for Parliamentary Openness as a model framework to be adopted by African Parliaments towards an Open Parliament Agenda.
This was one of the three recommendations made by the Executive Director of PNAfrica, Sammy Obeng, when he presented a paper to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline of the Pan African Parliament on the subject area of, “Open Parliament and the Pan African Parliament” on Thursday, August 25, 2022. This presentation was made at the sidelines of the ongoing Committee Meetings of the PAP at Midrand, South Africa.
As a leading voice on the campaign for Open Parliament on the continent, Mr. Sammy Obeng urged the Committee to recommend to the Pan African Parliament to lead by example in adopting open parliament principles within its own processes and practices, including measures to improve its accountability to the Africa people.
He said this was important because, the establishment of PAP is informed by a vision to provide a common platform for African peoples on the Continent and in the diaspora, and their grassroots organizations to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the Continent.
“PAP may consider developing a Benchmark on Open Parliament to be used by Member States and Regional Economic Communities Parliaments, and further leverage its relationships with these Parliaments as envisaged in Article 19 of the PAP Protocol, to ensure that Consultative Fora on the subject of Open Parliaments are held with these regional and national Parliamentary bodies.
According to him, “Strengthening the PAP, Parliaments of Regional Economic Communities and National Parliaments in parliamentary openness, will effectively ensure the full participation of the African peoples in the economic development and integration of the Continent as envisioned by the PAP Protocol.”
The other recommendations made by the Executive Director of PNAfrica to the PAP include, “Undertake the ongoing revision of its Rules of Procedure through Open Parliament lenses. This requires ensuring that the Rules will further enhance access to the PAP and information emanating from the Parliament, ensure maximum accountability from Pan-African Parliamentarians and the PAP Institution to the people of Africa, and put citizens understanding and participation in PAP’s work at the center of everything PAP does.
“Develop an Open Parliament Action Plan through a co-creation process with civil society. The existence of the Pan-African Parliament Civil Society Platform, the African Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations Network (APMON) and the African Parliamentary Press Network will be useful in getting PAP to work with civil society to create, implement and publicize actions on openness.
“PAP should encourage Parliaments of the Regional Economic Communities and in Member States to do same, as civil society working and engaging parliaments are available to collaborate at national and regional levels. APMON is ready to work with the PAP and other stakeholders to facilitate these engagements.”
The Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline of the PAP, led by its Chairman, Hon. T. J. Majola from South Africa, was very appreciative of the presentation and recommendations and promised to have a continuous interaction with PNAfrica going forward on the subject matter.
“I will seriously look at your three recommendations. That is very important when we deal with the issue of reviewing our rules …Thank you so much for your time and presentation and I strongly believe that this is not the last time for you to be here. If we need you, we will call you to come and make another presentation,” the Chairman said.
Source: Clement Akoloh||africanewsradio.com
[post_date_unix] => 1661508480 [post_date] => August 26, 2022 [post_modified] => August 27, 2022 [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/pnafrica-recommends-pap-set-up-model-open-parliament-benchmarks-for-au-countries/#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] => 3 [max_page] => 12 [start_page] => 2 [end_page] => 4 [pages_to_show] => 3 [previous_posts_link] => [next_posts_link] => ) [category_id] => 49 )
