Charumbira applauds 1st Ordinary Session of the 6th Pan-African Parliament
By Daniel Chigundu
Pan-African Parliament (PAP) President Honourable Fortune Charumbira has applauded the milestones that have been achieved by the 1st Ordinary Session of the 6th PAP which ended on 10 November 2022.
The 1st Ordinary Session was held under the AU theme for 2022: “Building resilience in nutrition on the African continent: Accelerate the human capital, social and economic development”.
In his closing address to the Plenary, Honourable Charumbira paid homage to his Bureau and the entire membership of the continental parliamentary body for the sterling work and commitment displayed to revive the PAP.
“As a Bureau, we are happy that this Parliament is moving forward, and we are even more optimistic about the teamwork displayed by the Bureau and the spirit of compromise demonstrated by members throughout this Session. Great expectations have been put upon us by the people of Africa and we are working tirelessly to ensure those aspirations are fulfilled.
‘’The highest point for us during this session was being graced by the former President of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E Olusegun Obasanjo.
‘’We also managed to unanimously adopt the amended Rules of Procedure – this was historical as there was no acrimony during the processes of amendment right through to the adoption,” he said.
The key milestone of the ended session is the unanimous adoption by the PAP Plenary of a motion to amend the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament. The long-awaited process effectively addressed past confusion and ambiguities while creating create a conducive environment for the operation of the legislative organ of the African Union (AU).
A series of pertinent, realistic, and purposeful resolutions and recommendations that contribute to the African Union agenda in the areas of peace and security, food security, gender parity, trade, and policing among others were also adopted in the 1st Ordinary Session.
Among the raft of resolutions adopted, African legislators took note of the positive developments which resulted in the signing of the peace agreement between the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation.
A resolution on solidarity and support to the government and people of the Republic of Mozambique was adopted with the continental Parliament condemning in the strongest terms the barbaric acts of terrorism in all its forms in that country.
Honourable Felix Okot Ogong (Uganda) who spoke on behalf of the legislators, applauded the unity among the PAP legislators.
“I am speaking on behalf of the entire Parliamentarians. We are proud of the unity you have brought to the PAP. You have reinvigorated and redefined the purpose of our Parliament. Our image out there has greatly improved since this Bureau came into office hence, on behalf of all Members of Parliament be assured that we stand with you. We appreciate you and we give you our support,” said.-
Charumbira applauds 1st Ordinary Session of the 6th Pan-African Parliament
