Pan-African Parliament

The Pan-African Parliament, also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union. The African Parliament held its inaugural session in March 2004. At present it exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, which will last for the first five years of its existence, after that time period it will exercise full legislative powers. Its 265 Parliamentary representatives are elected by the legislatures of the 53 AU states rather than being directly elected in their own capacity. Initially the seat of the Pan African Parliament was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but it was later moved to Midrand, South Africa. Additionally, Ten Permanent Committees were created dealing with different sectors of life in Africa.

The current President of the Parliament is Gertrude Mongella from Ukerewe, Tanzania.

The Parliament also has four Vice-Presidents:
* Southern Africa. Fernando José Dias Van-Dúnem from Angola.
* North Africa. Mohammed Lutfi Farhat from Libya.
* Central Africa. Loum N. Neloumsei Elise from Chad.
* West Africa. Theophile Nata from Benin.

These officials are the composition of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament.

The Parliament is assisted by the Secretariat of the Pan-African Parliament.

History

The Abuja Treaty and Sirte Declaration called for the creation of a PAP. The former had simply listed the PAP among the organization's bodies and stated, "In order to ensure that the peoples of Africa are fully involved in the economic development and integration of the Continent, there shall be established a Pan-African Parliament. The composition, functions, powers and organisation of the Pan-African Parliament shall be defined in a Protocol providing thereof." The Treaty on the Establishment of the African Union and a Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament followed. Then there was the Constitutive Act of the African Union. The Protocol Establishing the Pan African Parliament was adopted in 2000 during the OAU Summit in Lomè, Togo. The Protocol is now open for signature and ratification. So far 21 member states have signed and three have ratified. Article 22 of the PAP protocol provides for the Protocol to enter into force after deposit of the instruments of ratification by a simple majority of the member states.

Objectives of Parliament

* Implement the policies and objectives of the African Union.
* Cultivate human rights and democracy in Africa.
* Make sure Member States adhere to good governance, transparency and accountability.
* Let the peoples of Africa know what the objectives and policies of the African Union are so that they might be able to integrate themselves contentally while still working within the framework of the AU.
* Engender peace, security and stability on the Continent.
* Promote self-reliance and economic recovery so as to lead to a more prosperous future for the peoples of Africa.
* Engender cooperation and development in Africa.
* Strengthen a sense of solidarity and build common destiny among the peoples of Africa.
* Create cooperation among Regional Economic Communities and their Members in Parliament.

Powers of Parliament

* Examine, discuss or express an opinion on any matter, either on its own initiative or at the request of the Assembly or other policy organs and make any recommendations it may deem fit relating to, inter alia, matters pertaining to respect of human rights, the consolidation of democratic institutions and the culture of democracy, as well as the promotion good governance and the rule of law.
* Discuss its budget and the budget of the Community and make recommendations theron prior to its approval by the Assembly of the African Union.
* Work towards the harmonisation or co-ordination of the laws of the Member State.
* Make recommendations aimed at contributing to the attainment of the objectives of the OAU/AEC and draw attention to the challenges facing the integration process in Africa as well as the strategies for dealing with them.
* Request officials of the OAU/AEC to attend its sessions, produce documents or assist in the discharge of its duties.
* Promote the programmes and objectives of the OAU/AEC, in the constituencies of the Member States.
* Promote the co-ordination and Harmonization of policies, measures, programmes and activities of the Regional Economic Communities and the parliamentary fora of Africa.
* Adopt its Rules of Procedure, elect its own President and propose to the Council and the Assembly the size and nature of the support staff of the Pan-African Parliament.
* Perform such other functions as it deems appropriate to achieve the objectives set out in Article 3 of the Protocol.

In one of its first actions the Pan African Parliament agreed to send a fact-finding mission to the Darfur region of Sudan.

Trust fund

A trust fund was established 26 May, 2005. In the motion to create the fund, it was said the Pan-African Parliament Trust Fund will promote "good governance, transparency and democracy, peace security and stability, gender equality and development in the integration of African people within Africa and other nations. It will also support the fight against HIV/AIDS, hunger and poverty on the continent". [http://www.pan-africanparliament.org/News.aspx?ID=74]

ee also

*List of members of the Pan-African Parliament

External links

* [http://www.pan-african-parliament.org/ Pan-African Parliament Website]