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The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) met with selected members of the African Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of South Africa namely Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, Congo Brazzaville, Mali and Zimbabwe.
The focal team was set up in September 2022 by the Dean of African Heads of Diplomatic Missions to work closely with the PAP to address challenges and pertinent issues. This followed a call by H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira for African Ambassadors to act as PAP’s “brand ambassadors” in African Union (AU) Member States, as the new Bureau embarks on a journey to “revive, renew, reposition, and reinvigorate” the continental Parliament.
The call was reiterated by the PAP President during the introductory working session held at the Parliament’s Headquarters in Midrand, ahead of the first Ordinary Session of the sixth Parliament.
H.E Hon Chief Charumbira said the PAP Bureau is continuously working towards regaining the confidence of the African citizenry.
“We continue to seek ways of being visible throughout the continent, inclusive in our approach, relevant and impactful to the African citizenry.”
The appraisal meeting was also attended by the PAP 3rd Vice President, Hon Lucia Maria Mendes Goncalves dos Passos, and the 4th Vice President, Hon Francois Ango Ndoutoume.
Speaking on behalf of the Ambassadors, Egyptian Ambassador accredited to South Africa, H.E Ambassador Ahmed El Fadly, hailed the engagement processes between the Diplomatic community and the PAP Bureau, and urged the PAP to start working on how the continental Parliament will be transformed from a consultative body to a legislative body as lobbying is currently underway for the ratification of the Malabo Protocol. Acknowledging the limited participation of Ambassadors to only the opening and closing sessions of the plenary meetings, H.E Ambassador Ahmed El Fadly appealed for Ambassadors to be allowed to attend all plenary sessions strictly as observers to help enhance their understanding of the working of the PAP and also be able to follow debates.
The first Ordinary Session of the sixth Parliament of the PAP and its related meetings will take place from 24 October to 11 November 2022. The Session will be guided by the African Union theme of 2022; ‘Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent: Accelerate the human capital, social and economic development.’
The traditional meeting with the entire African Diplomatic Corps ahead of the opening ceremony will take place on 27 October 2022.
Source: Media & Communication Unit, Pan African Parliament