Pan African Parliament II and the Potential for the Development of a Strong Continental Legislative
The opening of the second Pan African Parliament benefited from an opening address by South African President, Jacob Zuma. In his address, President Zuma highlighted the role of the PAP as the voice of the voiceless and the immense impact it could have with full legislative powers. Another critical role he encouraged the PAP to play is in elucidating relevant concepts of democracy, good governance and the rule of law towards the establishment of common standards across the continent. The significance of this address re-enforces two main points.
Nadia Ahmadou, Junior Researcher, ASAP, ISS Pretoria Office
The opening of the second Pan African Parliament benefited from an
opening address by South African President, Jacob Zuma. In his address,
President Zuma highlighted the role of the PAP as the voice of the
voiceless and the immense impact it could have with full legislative
powers. Another critical role he encouraged the PAP to play is in
elucidating relevant concepts of democracy, good governance and the rule
of law towards the establishment of common standards across the
continent. The significance of this address re-enforces two main
points.
Firstly, it reflects South Africa’s continued engagement and
interest in the pan-African dream; despite the change in
administration. This in itself remains important as South Africa has
positively influenced the growth of the Pan African vision and continues
to do so in global arenas where it enjoys significant respect, due to
its status as an economic powerhouse.
Secondly, it also re-ignites about the relevance of the PAP as the
institution struggling for full legislative powers to be granted to it.
A similar attempt failed in 2009, so what can we expect now?
The question is not whether or not the PAP should be granted full
legislative powers, but rather the timing for this event and the
possible impact it would have on the institution and continentally.
Practical realities to address include the disconnect between the
different organs of the AU (the AU Commission, the AU Court, the Peace
and Security Council, the Panel of the Wise and the PAP) and the fact
that these cannot develop separately but must rather do so together in a
cohesive manner. At the moment, a disjuncture exists between the
operations of these branches that do not even appear to be cementing a
relationship geared at advancing the African vision of integration.
There is a need to build and cement a relationship between the various
organs of the AU within which lie the main responsibility for peace,
security and integration. Aside from the PAP, this includes the other
organs cited such as the Commission and the Court. For a parliament to
be strong and contribute positively to developments it must be
surrounded by equally strong organs with which it has a relationship. At
the moment tensions exist between these bodies which operate in
competition with each other as opposed to completing each other through
the appropriate mechanisms of checks and balances. Continued
engagement among these bodies and familiarisation of each organ’s role
within the bigger picture would go a long way towards cementing the
necessary relationship for progress.
Another reality involves the manner in which MPs accede to their
seat at the PAP and how this affects their positions on numerous
security affairs. National parliaments are appendices of ruling parties
while few opposition members have access to the institution. Thus
national and party positions tend to taint the independent thinking of
the members who are more preoccupied with their national sovereign
state affairs than the wider Pan-African agenda they have been called
upon to develop.
Other concerns remain around the administrative capacity of the
parliament to conduct its affairs; without a strong secretariat, the
PAP cannot blossom into the organ it is intended to be.
There is a need to respond to these realties (among many others) in
order to consolidate the role of the PAP on the continent, in
accordance with its mandate. As a starting point, MPs need to recognise
their role which extends beyond occasionally participating in
committee and parliamentary sittings. This role must be continued on the
ground; as the voice of the voiceless. MPs need to participate in
awareness raising activities in their national parliaments and
constituencies, to make the PAP known. The people whom they represent
need to be aware of their existence and the role they can play in
representing them all the way at the top, within the bigger regional
and continental assembly. In addition, this would eventually benefit
the organ at the time when it would be granted full legislative power
as elections via universal suffrage would have meaning and give power
to the vision of an integrated continent.
It is undeniable that the PAP is growing in prominence and
effectiveness. The first parliament has contributed greatly in its
advisory capacity, especially with regard to electoral issues in
Zimbabwe for example and around gender issues as regards the
unacceptable practice of genital mutilation across Africa; among many
other issues. At the moment, all eyes are on the PAP regarding its
eventual reaction to the dismal situations in Niger and Guinea.
Positive signs are already emerging from this new PAP that indicate
they are more willing to address the challenges and limitations they
face. The new secretariat portrays a certain level of performance and
dynamism that was lacking from the previous sitting of parliament.
Africa is caught amidst a number of unconstitutional regime changes,
and the PAP faces the great challenge of making itself relevant as the
resounding voice of the people for the entrenchment of good governance
and democracy on the continent.
Hopefully the dynamism of the new parliament will carry through
into their duties and result in positive developments and impacts
within the organ itself as well as the work it does to further peace,
security and integration on the continent.
