Activity Report of the Pan-African Parliament, July to December, 2006
Introduction
1.This report is presented pursuant to provisions of Article 3 of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament (the Protocol), and Rule 76 of the Rules of Procedure of PAP. It reflects the work and activities of the Bureau of PAP, the ten Permanent Committees and the Sixth Ordinary Session of PAP for the period from July to December, 2006.2.The report of the Pan-African Parliament for the period from January to June 2006 was presented by the President of PAP to the Ninth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Banjul, The Gambia.3.The objective of this report is to support the work of the AU and bring the recommendations of the Sixth Ordinary Session (November 13 to 24, 2006) to the attention of the Executive Council and the Assembly, for action. The recommendations are made in line with the provisions of Article 11(4) of the Protocol, which provides that;"the Pan-African Parliament may make recommendations aimed at contributing to the attainment of the objectives of OAU/AEC and draw attention to the challenges facing the integration process in Africa as well as the strategies for dealing with them."
Work and activities of the Bureau of PAP
4.The Bureau of PAP continued to carry out its mandate and functions as provided for both by Article 12(5) of the Protocol and Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure.5.In the period under review, the Bureau held two regular and one ad hoc meetings. At those meetings, the Bureau deliberated on various matters and made decisions for the facilitation of the work of the Sixth Ordinary Session and for the administration of PAP; amongst these were:5.1the preparation of the agenda and work of the ten Permanent Committees;5.2the appointment of the external auditor for PAP;5.3the arrangements for the workshop for management staff;5.4finalized the PAP Budget for 2007;5.5finalization of the plans for the launch of the PAP Trust Fund;5.6preparation of the programme and agenda of the Sixth Ordinary Session;5.7deliberation and decisions on the management and administration of PAP;5.8the deliberation on the schedule and calendar of PAP activities for the year, 2007;5.9networking with and participation in conferences to enhance cooperation and partnership, for instance:(i)the RECs regional harmonization workshop held in Arusha-Tanzania;(ii)participation in the preparatory meeting for the 2007 Abuja-Nigeria International Conference on African Legal Resources-Opportunities and Challenges;5.10Hosting of international delegations.
Work and activities of Permanent Committees
6.PAP has ten Permanent Committees, whose mandate and functions are provided for in Rules 22 to 27 of the Rules of Procedure. Ideally, the functions of the Committees correspond to those of the specialized technical Committees of the AU.7.In the period under review, the Committees continued to execute their mandate. Notable among the activities they were engaged in was, the preparations and budgeting for WorkPlans for their activities towards the implementation of the PAP Strategic Plan, 2006-2010.8.The Committees were specifically engaged in, amongst, others, the following:8.1held several sittings and specifically, in the period from August 10-12, 2006; and November 06-10, 2006;8.2the output of the sittings and workshops of the Committees had a direct impact on the work of the Sixth Ordinary Session; being in the main ; the preparation and information gathering for fruitful debates in the Plenary;8.3each Committee provided reports which were well researched and had input of experts and thus enriched the debates;8.4all the subjects dealt with in the Plenary were first deliberated upon by the Committees which also proposed recommendations;8.5most Committees participated in outreach activities, for instance:(i)a fact finding mission to Cote d’Ivoire and Kenya from December 10-21, 2006; the report will be submitted to next Session;(ii)several Members were designated to represent PAP at various conferences and workshops where PAP was invited.
Work of the Sixth Ordinary Session
9.Pursuant to provisions of Article 14(2) of the Protocol, and Rule 28(1) of the Rules of Procedure, the Sixth Ordinary Session was held from November 13 to 24, 2006. Among others, the Session deliberated and made recommendations on the following agenda:9.1Presentation on the EU-PAP partnership within the purview of EU Strategy for Africa.9.2Presentation on the ramifications of migration on the development of Africa.9.3Peace and Security in Africa, focusing on:(i)The great lakes region(ii)Darfur in the Sudan(iii)Cote d’ivoire(iv)Democratic republic of congo(v)Tchad9.4Presentation on three Country Reports of the African Peer Review Mechanism.9.5Presentation on country progress report on the implementation of the New Partnership for African Development.9.6Consideration of the PAP Audit Reports for 2004 and 2005.9.7Presentation, debate and adoption of the PAP Budget for 2007.9.8The Launch of the PAP Trust Fund.
PAP Budget for 2007
10.The PAP Budget for 2007 is based on the PAP recommendations as presented to the Ninth Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Banjul, The Gambia. It is intended to facilitate the implementation process of strengthening and enabling PAP to gradually take up its full legislative mandate.11.In that regard, therefore, the Budget has made provision for among others;(i)per diems, responsibility allowance and sitting allowances to enhance the participation of the Members in Committee activities and Sessions of PAP;(ii)funding for Committee Work-Plans which comprised of the activities necessary for the implementation of the PAP Strategic Plan, 2006-2010;(iii)further capacity building both for the staff and the Members of PAP.
Launch of the PAP Trust Fund
12.The Sixth Ordinary Session witnessed the launch of the PAP Trust Fund. This was a mile-stone in the implementation of a motion adopted by the Third Ordinary Session.13.The establishment of the PAP Trust Fund is not meant to provide a substitute source of funding for PAP; rather, it is intended to augment the funding from the AU.14.The official opening of the Sixth Ordinary Session on November 13 was graced by His Excellency Nelson Mandela, the former President of the Republic of South Africa, who also launched the PAP Trust Fund.15.The launch ceremony generated interest in the Fund and attracted contributions from international organisations, the private corporate sector and private individuals, including, Members of PAP. PAP wishes to extend its appreciation to all those who contributed and continue to contribute to this noble cause.
Financial activities
16.The Pan-African Parliament engaged an external auditor pursuant to provisions of Rule 90 (3) of the Rules of Procedure of PAP to conduct an audit of the books of accounts for the Financial Years 2004 and 2005. The auditor, KPMG conducted the audit and submitted the audit reports for 2004 and 2005.17.The audit reports, pursuant to the Provisions of Rule 90 (4) of the Rules of Procedure presented to the Sixth Ordinary Session and adopted unanimously.18.Finally the audit reports were forwarded to the Chairperson of Commission of the African Union for subsequent action. At this juncture, I wish to thank you for your understanding, co-operation and support in the accomplishment of this exercise.19.PAP appreciates the improved remittance of budgeted funds for the Financial Year 2006. However we are concerned that out of the total budget approved for 2006 (USD11.9 million), only USD 7.895 million has been transferred during the year.20.Despite the improved rate of remittance, we are further concerned that the remittances remain unpredictable resulting into our failure to accomplish planned expenditure on time.21.Since the Parliament is dependant on the African Union for funding, there is urgent need to address these issues to enable PAP’s deliver on its mandate.
Recommendations
22.Recommendations adopted on each of the agenda at the end of the Sixth Ordinary Session are in the Annex to this Report.
Opportunities and challenges facing the PAP
23.PAP continues to benefit from the opportunities that at its disposal and attendant to that are a number of challenges that require urgent attention. However PAP remains grateful for the continued support of the African Union.24.The PAP’s commitment to enhance solidarity with the international community was clearly exemplified by the recent attendance and messages of good will received at the Sixth Ordinary Session from a number of viz:(i)the Canadian delegation led by Hon. Peter Milliken, M.P, Speaker of the House of Commons, accompanied by H.E Neil Clegg, Ag. High Commissioner of Canada to South Africa, Hon. Jay Hill, P.C., M.P., Chief Government Whip.(ii)the European Parliament delegation represented by the Hon Mrs Mogantini,(iii)the German Bundestag delegation led by the Deputy President Hon. Suzzanne Kartner.(iv)the Westminster Foundation for Democracy represented by Marina Narnor, Head of Programmes for Africa.(v)The African Union Commissionrepresented by the Deputy Chairperson H.E Patrick Mazimuhaka.25.Nevertheless every effort continues to be made by PAP to address the challenges.26.Preparations have started on the transformation of PAP from its current status of an advisory/ consultative body into a fully fledged legislative body as was reported in June, 2006.27.The following have been adopted a the first strategic steps in the process of transforming PAP:(i)The appointment of a sub-committee of the Permanent Committee on Rules, Privileges and Disciplines to study and recommend on the way forward. This resulted into the committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline holding an in-house workshop on commissioned a four member Sub-Committee to make preparations and come up with a concept paper on the way forward from November 7-9, 2006 on the Transformation of PAP and the Harmonization of Legislation in Africa.(ii)Holding of a series of Regional Workshops in the five different regions of Africa. The first in these series of workshops was conducted in Arusha from November 20-21, 2006. The remaining four regional workshops shall be conducted in due course.28.It is therefore with respect that the Pan-African Parliament urges the Heads of States to take note of this process given that it will require the amendment of the Protocol Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament.
Annexure
Recommendations to the african union as Adopted in the sixth ordinary session of the Pan-African Aprliamnet November 13-24, 2006.
