Pan-African Parliament

From Freepedia

The Pan-African Parliament is the governing body of the African Union; however at present it can only exercise advisory and consultative powers. Broadly based on the European Parliament of the European Union (but more like The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as representitives are appointed from member states' legislatures rather than being directly elected in their own capacity), it will eventually include 256 MPs with MPs from all 53 member states of the African Union. At present there are 202 legislators from 41 of the 53 Member States. The Parliament is in Midrand, South Africa.

Additionally, Ten Permanent Committees were created dealing with different sectors of life in Africa.

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

The Parliament also consists of four Vice-Presidents. They are:

Southern Africa. F. Jose Dias Van-Du’Nem 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.

States objectives of Parliament

Facilitate the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the OAU/AEC and, ultimately, of the African Union
Promote the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa
Encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in Member States
Familiarize the peoples of Africa with the objectives and policies aimed at integrating the African Continent within the framework of the establishment of the African Union
Promote peace, security and stability
Contribute to a more prosperous future for the peoples of Africa by promoting collective self-reliance and economic recovery
Facilitate cooperation and development in Africa
Strengthen Continental solidarity and build a sense of common destiny among the peoples of Africa
Facilitate cooperation among Regional Economic Communities and their Parliamentary fora

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 recommedations theron prior to its approval by the Assembly.
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, mea sures, 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.