Activity Report of the Pan-African Parliament, January to December 2018

Jurisdiction
African Union (AU)
Date
17 May 2018
Language
English
Type
Activity Report

Activity Report of the Pan-African Parliament, January to December 2018

1.IntroductionFrom January to December 2018, the Pan-African Parliament undertook several activities, in fulfilment of its core mandate, which is to "ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development of and economic integration of the continent A Submitted in accordance with Rule 76 of the Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament, this annual activity report provides an account of all the activities undertaken by the Pan-African Parliament, towards the achievement of its mandate.The Activity Report includes the activities undertaken by all organs and structures of the PAP, including the Plenary, the Bureau, Permanent Committees, Regional and thematic Caucuses as well as the Secretariat, all of which converging towards the achievement of the strategic objectives of the PAP, as per the Strategic Plan still in force.This report clusters the activities undertaken into the six strategic objectives of the PAP with a view to elucidating the extent to which the said activities contributed to the achievement, by the PAP, of its mandate and strategic objectives. The Report also highlights the key achievements recorded by the PAP during the period covered by the Report, and brings up the major challenges faced in the fulfilment of its mandate. The Report ends with highlights of the 2019 activities of the PAP, building on the progress made so far.
2.The activities undertaken towards the achievement of the strategic objectives of the PAPThe strategic objectives of the PAP are the following:
i.To effectively exercise and strengthen parliamentary functions of the PAP (Strategic Objective 1);
ii.To provide a platform for mainstreaming African voices and those in the Diaspora, into the African Union policymaking process (Strategic Objective 2);11See Article 17 (1) of the African Union Constitutive Act; Art. 2 (2) of the PAP Protocol and Art. 3 (a) and (m) of the new PAP Protocol.
iii.To promote human rights and democracy, good governance & development in Africa (Strategic Objective 3);
iv.To promote peace, security and stability in Africa (Strategic Objective 4);
v.To promote economic integration and development in Africa (Strategic Objective 5);
vi.To deploy and strengthen the institutional capacity of the PAP in support to its core mandate (Strategic Objective 6).
The below developments describe the activities carried out under each of the strategic objectives and to show the extent to which the said activities contributed to the achievement of the said objectives.
2.1.Activities relating to strategic objective I effectively exercise and strengthen parliamentary functions of the PAPThe activities aimed at ensuring effective exercise and strengthening of the PAP parliamentary functions including the Ordinary Session and the Committees Sittings, during which the Plenary, the Bureau and Permanent Committees as well as Regional and thematic Caucuses met, discussed and decided on a wide range of issues, as detailed here below.
2.1.1.The successful holding of ordinary sessions in May and October 2018Pursuant to Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure of the PAP, the PAP successfully held two ordinary sessions, in May and October 2018, under the theme "Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation".
2.1.1.1.The Sixth Ordinary Session of the Fourth ParliamentHeld from 7 to 17 May 2018 in Midrand, South Africa, the sixth Ordinary Session marked the end of the term of the Fourth Parliament and its Bureau and Bureaux, as well as beginning of the Fifth Parliament. It witnessed the swearing in of 77 new Members of PAP, in accordance with Rules 9 and 20 (4) of the Rules of Procedure of PAP and also the election of the new Bureau of PAP composed of Hon. Roger NkodoDang (Central Africa) as President, and election of Hon. Stephen Masele (East Africa) as First Vice-President, Hon. Haidara Aichata Cisse (West Africa) as Second Vice-President and Hon. Bouras Djamal (North Africa) as Third Vice-President. Southern Africa did not contest Vice-Presidency and decided to nominate candidates for the remaining seat of Fourth Vice-president, for election during the October 2018 Ordinary Session.The major issues deliberated by the Plenary during the Session included reports from the AU Commission on Political Affairs, Trade, Industry and Mining, which respectively focused on the AU Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and Goods and the Free Trade Area, the areas of trade, industry, and mining, the blue economy and customs cooperation as contemplated in the abovementioned Protocol. The House also debated presentations on the institutional reform of the African Union, the role of MPs in realizing the right to health, the Activity Report of the PAP and Committee reports addressing various human rights, governance, development, and rule of law issues affecting the continent and Member States. Those include the report of the Committee on Monetary Affairs on the 2019 Budget of the PAP, the terminal report of CAPA, the report on the Regional Seminar on Small Arms and Light Weapons! the report of the workshop on Information and Communication Technology! the report on Action on Albinism in Africa! the report of the workshop on the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement and the Protocol on the Free Movement of People and the African Passport! the report of the workshop on combating corruption! the report on the Study Visit on the Tourism Industry in Mauritius and the report on the PAP participation in the COP 22 and preparation of COP 23.The Plenary debates culminated into the consideration and adoption of the following eight resolutions, two recommendations and one declaration:ResolutionsThe House adopted resolutions on the following:
(i)Resolution on achieving health targets and leaving no one behind!
(ii)Resolution on Nutrition and Food Systems in Africa!
(iii)Resolution on African continental free trade area and free movement of persons, right to residence and right to establishment.
(iv)Resolution on winning the fight against corruption
(v)Resolution on persons with albinism in Africa
(vi)Resolution on the establishment of the PAP desk on climate change
(vii)Resolution on the establishment of an Ad hoc Committee on AU reforms
(viii)Resolution for holding the First Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament of the PAP in a Member State
RecommendationsThe House adopted two recommendations on the following!
(i)Recommendation on the ICT in Africa! and
(ii)Recommendation on the rights of older persons in Africa.
DeclarationThe House adopted one declaration on events that took place in Palestine.
2.1.1.2.The First Ordinary Session of the Fifth ParliamentHeld from 22 October to 2 November 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda, the First Ordinary Session witnessed the swearing in of 16 new Members of PAP, in accordance with Rules 9 and 20 (4) of the Rules of Procedure of PAP and also the election of Hon. Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira as Fourth Vice-President, representing the Southern Africa region.The major issues deliberated by the Plenary during the Session included the activity report of the PAP, the presentation of the Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation, the presentation on peace and security in Africa, the presentation on the status of the fight against corruption in Africa in reference to the theme of the year 2018, the role of parliaments in the management of natural resources, and the role and impact of the African Union electoral observation missions in view of the numerous cases of electoral disputes in Africa. The Plenary also discussed the mechanism and procedure for the formulation of model laws in the PAP and considered a draft Model Law on Disability in Africa. Further, the Plenary debated the 2019 theme of the African Union: "Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement". Presentation and debates on the Labour Migration Governance in Africa, Presentation and debate on Correlation between Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) and Taxation, debates on Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)’s Global Youth Engagement and Update on the Youth Employment in Agriculture Conference, debate on Policy Briefs around World Health: Africa position in the Resolutions of the 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) Summit on Tuberculosis and other infectious Diseases, Presentation and debate on African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Reports, Presentation and debate on the Report of the Committee on Audit and Public Accounts (CAPA), October 2018, Presentation and debate on Food and Nutrition Security Systems in AfricaThe Plenary debates culminated into the consideration and adoption of the following eight resolutions, two recommendations and one declaration:ResolutionsThe House adopted resolutions on the following:
(i)Resolution on the formulation of a model disability law in Africa!
(ii)Resolution paying tribute to H.E. Kofi Atta Annan, Former SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations!
(iii)Resolution on the Participation of the Pan-African Parliament in African Union Election Observation Missions
(iv)Resolution on the Adoption of the Procedural Guidelines on the Formulation of Model Laws by the Pan-African Parliament
(v)Resolution in response to the message of H.E. President Paul Kagame addressed to the Pan-African Parliament at the opening of the first session of the fifth parliament
(vi)Resolution on the Development of a Model Law on Food Security and Nutrition in Africa
RecommendationsThe House adopted two recommendations on the following!
(i)Recommendation on the governance of Labour Migrations in Africa!
(ii)Recommendation on the Role of Women in the Fight Against Corruption in Africa.
DeclarationThe house adopted one declaration congratulating Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of the Republic of Liberia.
2.1.2.The Successful Holding of Meetings of Permanent Committees and CaucusesThe PAP successfully held meetings of Permanent Committees, both during the May and October 2018 Ordinary Sessions and during the March and August 2018 Committees Sittings.
2.1.2.1.Meetings of Permanent Committees and Caucuses geared towards the the May 2018 Ordinary SessionDuring the March and May 2018 Committee Meetings, meetings of Permanent Committees and Caucuses were mainly focused on the election of Members of the various Bureaux of the Regional Caucuses, Permanent Committees, Women Caucus and Youth Caucus. The elections were conducted successfully, in full compliance with the PAP Rules of Procedure, especially the principle relating to Regional balance within the Bureau of Committees.In addition to fulfilling the statutory duty of renewal of their respective Bureaux, the Permanent Committees discussed and reflected on a wide range of issues, on which reports were presented to the Plenary and resolutions and recommendations were adopted in May 2018. Those issues include:The Participation of the PAP in the COP 23, 6 — 17 November 2017, Bonn, Germany and food and nutrition systems (Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment);Reflections on the Study Visit on the Tourism Industry in Mauritius (Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources);Reflections on the AU Year of Combating Corruption-Legislation & Leadership: Deep impact conversation with Parliamentarians about combating corruption, repealing defamation laws to promote press freedom and Call for Action on Albinism (Committee on Justice and Human Rights);The Terminal Report of CAPA, May 2018;The Regional Seminar "Connecting the dots: Supporting 2030 Agenda, the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons (UNPoA) implementation through increased parliamentary engagement and action in international processes" (Joint Committees Activity);The workshop on ICT (Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology);The workshop on "Customs issues in Africa: Challenges and perspectives" and the Workshop of AfCFTA and Free movement of Persons in Africa (Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters);The Africa High Level Parliamentary Meeting on Achieving Health Targets and Leaving No One Behind (Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs);Consideration and analysis of the draft PAP Budget of 2019 (Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs);The PAP also co-hosted a number of capacity-building programmes and workshops for the Parliamentarians to discuss the process and substance of proposed draft model laws, including in the field of food security and nutrition, on disability in Africa and on policing in Africa.
2.1.2.2.The Meetings of Permanent Committees and Caucuses geared towards the October 2018 Ordinary SessionDuring the August Committees Sittings held on 4 — 11 August 2018 and the October Ordinary Session, the PAP successfully organized meetings for all the 11 Permanent Committees, the One Regional Caucus and the two Thematic Caucuses — the Youth Caucus and the Women’s Caucus. Given the transversal nature of some of the issues tabled for consideration of Committees, a number of the meetings were Joint-Committee meetings.The major issues discussed by the Permanent Committees range from the formulation and promotion of model laws for adaptation to the local context; the sensitization of PAP Members on disability mainstreaming and development; the consideration of the zero draft of the draft Model Disability Law; the fight against hunger and the need for adequate legal frameworks on Food and Nutrition Security; Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) out of Africa and the importance of Taxation Research in relation to the African continent.
2.1.3.The successful holding of Bureau meetings and activitiesThe Bureau of the PAP has regularly held a number of meetings, to provide strategic leadership on parliamentary issues, and to exercise its leadership on administrative, human resources and financial issues. Under the leadership of the President of PAP, the Bureau has also undertaken a set of activities on behalf of the Parliament, including providing political leadership for effective PAP engagement within the African Union institutional architecture and representation of the PAP at various regional and international fora.The Bureau has continued to utilize available opportunities to advocate for more ratifications of the New PAP Protocol (Malabo Protocol). To date, the New PAP Protocol has garnered 11 ratifications (Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Madagascar, Mali, Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Togo) and 19 signatures. Advocacy letters calling for urgent action to sign and/or ratify the Malabo Protocol and addressed to National Speakers were sent the Member Parliaments from the Member States yet to sign and/or ratify the Malabo Protocol.
2.2.Activities relating to strayegic objective 2: provide a platform for mainstreaming african voices into AU policymaking process.Considering that the primary mandate of the PAP is to ensure an effective participation of the people of Africa in the AU decision and policy-making process, providing a platform for the voices of African citizens, civil society and diaspora is crucial to the success and effectiveness of the mandate of the PAP. The deliberate efforts made towards achieving this strategic objective include co-organisation of a workshop on migration flows, collaboration in hosting of a workshop on illicit financial flows, the convening of a civil society forum and invitation of civil society’s technical presentations to various Permanent Committees.
2.2.1.Regional Workshop on Migration Flows jointly with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung FoundationIn an effort to address the issue of migration flows from Africa to Europe the PAP, in conjunction with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation, organized on 18 May 2018 a regional workshop which was attended by MPs, civil society and United Nations agencies. The meeting noted that Africa was one of the world’s largest refugee producing and hosting areas, with more than 11 million forced migrants.While the majority of forced migrants come from Eritrea, Somalia and South Sudan, South Africa, Ivory Coast and Uganda have become receiving centers of refugees. In line with trends in global displacement, forced migrations in Africa have become more complex and has increased in volume. It is fueled by political, socio-economic, and environmental factors. In pursuing a holistic approach, the meeting agreed that the PAP should take a leadership role to harmonize AU policies and instruments dealing with migration and refugees with the ultimate aim of formulating a model law on the matter.
2.2.2.Involving civil society in the fight against corruptionThe PAP also collaborated with civil society organizations and the AU Advisory Board on Corruption (AU-ABC) on 6 July 2018, a meeting to deliberate on collective efforts to combat corruption in Africa. This activity was part of the ongoing actions adopted by the PAP to sensitize citizens on the Declaration on the African AntiCorruption Year at the July 2018 AU Summit, held in Mauritania. The participants in the meeting put specific emphasis on a wide range of measures to prevent and combat corruption, including combatting illicit financial flows, declaration of assets by public personalities, the ending of banking secrecy, recovering stolen assets and the empowerment of national anti-corruption bodies and the African Advisory Board on Corruption. The participants agreed that corruption and illicit financial flows affect Africa’s goals to end poverty and hunger and to achieve sustainable development through promoting inclusive economic growth, protecting the environment and promoting social inclusion. The meeting pledged support to the efforts of the AU, the Advisory Board on Corruption, relevant Organs and Institutions, and Regional Economic Communities in fighting the scourge of corruption and in securing accountability over the use of public resources across all Member States of the African Union.
2.2.3.Promoting effective citizen and civil society engagement with the PAPOn 8 August 2018, the PAP and the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria co-hosted a half-day dialogue to discuss effective citizen and civil society engagement with the PAP. Held on the sidelines of the August 2018 Committee Sittings of the PAP, in Midrand, South Africa, the Civil Society Forum, which was attended by more than 20 South Africa-based Civil Society representatives, aimed at fostering closer collaboration between and among CSOs and with the PAP, for the purpose of advancing and promoting an effective realization of the PAP as a continental Parliament. To that end, the meeting sensitized on the workings of the PAP and committed to increasing programming on issues pertaining to the PAP and laid grounds for the establishment of a mechanism for sustained civil society engagement with the PAP, including through continuation of the discussion on the sidelines of the October 2018 Ordinary Session, with the possible creation of a Civil Society Forum.
2.2.4.Technical presentations and briefing by civil society organizations to the Permanent CommitteesDuring the Committees Sittings and Ordinary Sessions, several CSOs were invited to provide input into the work of Permanent Committees. Those inputs was made through technical presentations and briefing on a wide range of issues, including the rights of persons with albinism, the rights of persons with disability, education, agriculture, effective tax management, fight against hunger and food security and nutrition, and transitional justice.
2.2.5.Negotiation and sealing of new strategic partnershipsThe PAP has also fostered collaboration with a number of organizations, which is expected to culminate into the signing of partnership agreements during the October 2018 Ordinary Session^The UN Environment: Even though initiated by the Committee on Transport, this partnership is expected to benefit also the Committee on Rural Economy! and the Committee on Gender.The World Health Organization: Initiated by the International Relations Unit for the benefit of mainly the Committee on Health.The Southern Africa Parliamentary Support Trust: for the benefit of all PAP Committees and the Secretariat in terms of support for technical research and training.IDEP to build the capacity of Parliamentarians in policy analysis. Members and staff will be expected to attend capacity building programs organized by IDEP;CODESRIA- CODESRIA will built the capacity of the PAP in policy research by seconding some of its experts to work with staff and Committee members;The Africa Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development: For collaboration with relevant Committees on issues relating to population and development.African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), Tax Justice Network on Illicit Financial Flows. A platform has been established to facilitate all civil society organizations working on the issue of illicit financial flows to work closely with the committees dealing with matters pertaining to corruption and illicit financial flows.
2.3.Activities relating to strategic objective 3: promote human rights and democracy, good governance and development in AfricaOne of the core objectives of the PAP is to promote human and peoples’ rights, to consolidate democratic institutions and the democratic culture, good governance, transparency and the rule of law by all organs of the Union, Regional Economic Communities and Member States. The PAP organized activities and debates in furtherance of this strategic objective. Those activities include the presentations and debates on issues to do with human rights, democracy and good governance both in Plenary and Permanent Committees.
2.3.1.Human rights, democracy and good governance at the PAP statutory meetingsDuring the May and October 2018 Ordinary Session as well as the March and August Committees’ Sittings, the Plenary and Permanent Committees addressed various human rights, governance, development, and rule of law issues affecting the continent and Member States. Those issues include the fight against corruption! achieving health targets and leaving no one behind! Nutrition and Food Systems in Africa! African continental free trade area and free movement of persons, right to residence and right to establishment! the rights of persons with albinism in Africa, climate change, transitional justice and the AU institutional reform. The resolutions, recommendations and declarations adopted both at the May and October Session will contribute to advancing human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa.
2.3.2.Human rights, democracy and good governance at the PAP non-statutory meetingsThroughought the year, several non-statutory meetings were organized towards the advancement of the AU shared values, in particular human rights, democracy and good governance. Those include workshops on issues such as disability mainstreaming, the AU Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP), the Malabo Declaration, Agenda 2063, the SDGs and specifically the "No Poverty" and "Zero Hunger" by 2030 goals.The Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs has been creating awareness on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) out of Africa and in close collaboration with the ATAF is creating awareness on the importance of taxation research in relation to the continent. Through the ATRN, is building the capacity for credible research in tax policy, administration, law and leadership.Furthermore, through the Bureau of the Women's Caucus, the Pan-African Parliament participated in the High level Consultative Meeting with Member States on the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights of Women in Africa and the 15th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol. The Meeting was organized by the African Union Commission, on 12 -14 December 2018, in celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol. The Women's Caucus also took the opportunity to hold consultative meetings with the Department of Women, Gender and Development and other Departments of the AU Commission.Lastly, in order to promote democracy and good governance, the PAP deployed its Parliamentarians to participate in the observation of elections African countries. By observing those elections, the PAP has contributed to advancing transparency, fairness and freedom in the conduct of elections in Africa.
2.3.3.Mobilizing members of Parliament around the common African position at the COP 24The PAP also The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) participated in the 24th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP24), which took place in Katowice, Poland, from 3'14 December 2018. The delegation of the PAP comprised of 10 Parliamentarians drawn from all the PAP organs and representing the five regions of the African continent. The PAP participation in tie important forum was aimed at mobilizing the representatives of the peoples in support for the African common position through advocacy and other related activities. The PAP cohosted and participated in a series of high level events, which resulted in influencing the current climate change debate by offering the perspective of African parliamentarians as rooted on the common African position! building capacity of Parliamentarians on climate issues and share best practices of addressing the negative impacts of climate change! advocacy for adequate climate legislation in order to implement and enforce the Paris Agreement in African countries and strengthening of institutional ties with sister institutions at the global arena, such as the Inter-Parliamentarian Union and the European Parliament.
2.4.Activities relating to strategic objective 4: promote peace, security and stabilityOne of the core objectives of the PAP is to promote peace, security and stability on the African continent. The PAP organized activities and debates towards realizing this strategic objective. Those activities include the presentations, debates and training on issues to do with peace and security both in Plenary and Permanent Committees.
2.4.1.Plenary Debate on Peace, Security and StabilityDuring the May and October 2018 Sessions, the PAP debated in Plenary issues of peace, security and stability, either as a stand-alone matter, or as incidental to other topics such as corruption, migration and free movement of persons and goods. The PAP also debated on the African Union Transitional Justice Framework, which was presented both at the Committee and Plenary level.
2.4.2.Regional Seminar on Small Arms and Light WeaponsThe PAP co-organized a Regional Seminar on Small Arms and Light Weapons, in conjunction with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Seminar was attended by Members of the Committee on Justice and the Committee on Rules, who were capacitated on how best to play their role as Parliamentarians for regulating and controlling of the use and circulation of small arms and light weapons.
2.4.3.Go-organisation of the Workshop on Transitional JusticeA workshop on Transitional Justice in Africa was Co-organized with the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation for the Committee on Justice and Human Rights on 6 August 2018, during the Committees Sittings in view of challenges which Africa faces in addressing the consequences of conflict, authoritarianism and oppression with their attendant human rights violations.The workshop strengthened the knowledge and understanding of the Permanent Committee on Justice and Human Rights on transitional justice in Africa and the AUTJP; interrogated and discussed the role of PAP in the adoption and the implementation of the AUTJP and support of Member states in developing national strategies on transitional justice and development of a joint action plan between the Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation and PAP to support the mandate and the work of the Permanent Committee on Justice and Human rights.
2.5.Activities relaitng to strategic objective 5: promote intergration and development in Africa
2.5.1.Participation in the high-level dialogue on the nexus between tax policy and tax administrationThe PAP took part in a high-level dialogue on the nexus between tax policy and tax administration to improve effective revenue mobilization on the continent, which was attended by representatives of Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs from 30 — 31 July 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. The dialogue, which brought together stakeholders to match requisite policies with administrative changes, discussed development priorities, the required global international tax changes, and the existing taxation challenges faced by the African continent. The discussions focused on re-prioritising Africa’s response to global tax issues and equipping MPs with knowledge on the global tax landscape, bearing in mind the recent developments of free trade and free movement of persons in Africa. The event was organized by the ATAF, the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), and supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB),
2.5.2.Policy Panel Discussion on Empowering parliamentarians in countering IFFsThe PAP, through the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs, participated in a Policy Panel Discussion on Empowering parliamentarians in countering IFFs: Challenges and solutions at the Fourth Annual African Tax Research Network Congress which held in Ifrane, Morocco, from 10 to 12 September 2018 under the theme "The role of the social and politico environment in strengthening tax systems in Africa-' solutions to tax collection." The congress brought together various stakeholders to discuss tax policy, administration and legislation and the effects of national, regional and international tax matters on African tax systems.
2.5.3.Promotion of free movement of people, goods and services within AfricaThe PAP, through the Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters, participated in the 1st AU Labour Migration Advisory Committee (AU’LMAC), held in Dakar in Senegal from 2 to 4 May 2018. The meeting aimed to address labour migration issues on the continent and was attended by PAP, RECs, trade unions, civil society and diaspora representatives.The PAP raised awareness on the AU policy frameworks on migration and labour migration, including the renewed Migration Policy Framework and the AU Common Position on Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. The Meeting formulated a set of recommendations on synergies between MPs the AUG, RECs and Members states in advancing the agenda of constructive migration, protecting the interest of women and domestic workers, right of residence harmonization between RECs, inclusive national legislations and ratification of international standard labour migrations treaties.
2.5.4.The Symposium on fostering labour mobility within and from AfricaThrough the Committee on Trade, the PAP participated in the Symposium on fostering labour mobility within and from Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, from 10’11 July 2018, which was organized by IOM in collaboration with the AUG. The aim of the symposium was to foster intra-regional labour mobility within Africa and to protect the fundamental human, labour, and social rights of workers migrating within the continent and from Africa to Europe and to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Member States. The Meeting focused on the establishment of regular, transparent, comprehensive, and gender-responsive labour migration policies, legislation, and structures at the national and regional levels can result in significant benefits for countries of origin and destination, and agreed to the need to strengthen labour migration governance through tripartism and social dialogue in the formulation and implementation of evidence-based and gender-sensitive labour migration policies.
2.5.5.Participation in the 4th African Union Customs Experts Trade Facilitation ForumThe PAP participated in the 4th African Union Customs Experts Trade Facilitation Forum, held from 15 to 17 August 2018 in Cairo, Egypt with the Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters represented. The objective of the Forum was to provide a platform for participants to share information on developments in the area of Trade Facilitation. The forum provided an opportunity to share best practices in the implementation and certification of Authorized Economic Operators as well as provide comments on the Draft African Union Trade Facilitation Strategy with a view to improving it. The Forum was held under the theme, ‘Authorized Economic Operators and Mutual Recognition Arrangements for Improved Trade Facilitation in Africa". The PAP stressed the need for platforms to inform the national and regional Parliaments on the AU programs for the facilitation of ratification and domestication of all AU Treaties/Conventions by Member States and promoting the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.
2.6.Activities relating to strategic objective 6: strengthen institutional capacity of the PAPThe PAP has implemented several activities aimed at strengthening its institutional capacity. Those activities relate to effective administrative and human resources management, on the one side, and to effective financial and budget management, on the other.
2.6.1.Effective administrative and human resources managementAdministrative and human resource-related activities range from training for MPs and Staff Members, the conduct of the mid-term review, and the organization of the meetings of APROB to advance the issues relating to effective human resources managements with the aim of supporting the realization of the mandate and core objectives of the PAP.The PAP conducted and facilitated training and capacity-building activities for the benefit of PAP Secretariat Staff and enhancement of the capacity of individual PAP Staff and also various units, divisions and departments in the use the AU performance management and record management systems. Training opportunities included study visits to the European Parliament and national Parliaments. The PAP delegations had an opportunity to interrogate and compare systems and procedures in place in the institutions visited with a view to addressing the challenges that exist in the PAP. The lessons learned will contribute to more effectiveness and efficiency in the services offered to Parliament and Parliamentarians, and as well as support the PAP’s transition towards a legislative mandate.The PAP Secretariat also increased the visibility of the PAP and its activities through the PAP website, YouTube channel and Social Media. Also, articles and short videos were produced and uploaded on the PAP Website, Facebook and YouTube. Information and promotional materials were also produced for the Ordinary Sessions and the Committee Sittings. The PAP Secretariat has also undertaken outreach programmes and strategic communication activities, with the production of PAP information and promotional materials, which contributed to the visibility and a positive image of the PAP.
2.6.2.Effective financial and budget managementThe PAP has maintained sound and effective financial and budget management, which can be seen not only from the outcomes of the external audit of the 2017 financial statements and a positive budget execution, but also from the budgetary increases secured for the 2019 year operational and statutory activities.The PAP maintained a sound financial management, which has led to its clean audit by both the AU and the external auditors. The 2017 Financial Statements of the PAP were audited in the first half of 2018 and the Board of External Audit issued an unqualified audit opinion.
3.Summary of the key achievementsWhile the PAP successfully organized several activities, its visibility and relevance was enhanced thanks to a number of achievements, which can be listed as follows^
i.The successful preparation and organization of all statutory and nonstatutory activities of all organs of PAP, in a secure environment and in compliance with the PAP legal framework;
ii.The professional and full support of all staff, units, divisions and departments of the PAP Secretariat to the activities of the PAP;
iii.The holding of successful elections of Bureau and Bureauxes, in compliance with the PAP legal framework;
iv.The active participation of the PAP in the African Union institutional reform process and the policy coherence process;
v.The thematic focus of the work of the Permanent Committees and the Plenary sessions were consonant with the continental priorities and shared values!
vi.The effective management of financial and management and the clean audit of PAP has led to budgetary increases and the introduction new budget lines in the 2019 budget!
vii.The PAP has embraced new thematic areas and established a procedural framework to guide the process of formulation of draft model laws!
viii.Prevention of litigation and decrease in the legal cost incurred by the PAP, thanks to effective legal support and interventions!
ix.The increase in the number of signatures (19) and ratifications (11) of the Malabo Protocol, with more Member States and the AU Policy Organs calling for action for the ratification of the PAP Protocol!
x.Active participation in high-level panel discussion at the COP24 where PAP Members engaged various stakeholders to support the African position on climate change and promote effective climate legislation.
4.Summary of the major challnegesWhile the PAP has made strides in its pursuance of its strategic objectives, it is worth recognizing that its 2018 activities faced a number of challenges, the most significant of which are the following:
i.The year 2018 having been an electoral year meant that the Parliament and its Members were for a while focused on electoral matters, preparations and competitions, with some real or perceived fragmentation within the Plenary!
ii.The high turnover of the Members of the PAP, with 77 new Members - almost a third of the PAP Membership - having been sworn in this year, requires continuous work for the preservation of the institutional memory and capacity of the Parliament!
iii.The creation of vacancies within the Secretariat of the PAP and the freezing of the recruitment for the outstanding positions, which caused administrative burden and relative instability within the Secretariat!
iv.Rebuilding the image of PAP following the negative media coverage that emanated from the May 2018 Session and its aftermath;
v.The negative criticisms of the PAP by the African Union Policy Organs, even where the PAP had not been given an opportunity to respond or to bring contrary evidence!
vi.The critical decrease of the participation of the MPs in the AU elections observation missions due to tardiness of logistical arrangements!
vii.The legal consequences of implementing the Executive Council Budget Decision, which removed from the PAP budget special allowances paid to locally recruited GS Staff since 2008. The PAP requests authorization to continue paying to locally recruited GS staff their current salary package, which is an acquired right and a legitimate expectation, until the end of their current contracts. The PAP further recommends that the institution of a differential allowance for locally-recruited GS staff for all South Africa-based AU offices, as is the case for the Washington, Geneva and Brussels offices.
viii.One PAP Staff declared persona non grata and ordered to leave the duty station for a non-intentional traffic accident occurred in 2012 and for which the PAP committed to ensuring that the staff member amicably negotiate and satisfy any legitimate civil claims sustained by the victims!
ix.The slow pace of ratification of the new PAP Protocol means that the PAP will continue to delay the benefits which the continent and the African Union can gain from a PAP with legislative function.
5.Looking forwardIn line with its core mandate of ensuring effective participation of the peoples of Africa in the economic development and integration of the African continent, the PAP will strive to assert its relevance and pro-activeness by considering and debating the issues that speak directly to the realities of the continent and the peoples of Africa. In 2019, the PAP will mainstream the African Union theme of the year, which is "Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa-' Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement’.Also, building on its milestones and achievements for the year 2018, the PAP will continue to have high in its agenda a wide range of issues relating to human rights, democracy, governance and integration in Africa. More efforts by the PAP will be made to ensure that we engage more with national parliaments and RECs’ parliaments to sensitize more on ratification, domestication and implementation of the continental legal and policy frameworks on free trade and free movement, the fight against corruption, the rights of forced migrants, and the rights of persons with disability.The year 2019 will also enable the PAP to continue its work with the formulation of draft Model Laws in the area of policing, disability, climate change and food security and nutrition. With the finalization of the Procedural Guidelines on Model Law Formulation, the process of model law formulation will have more predictability and precision in terms of the steps and the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders.Further, the PAP will review and rethink its advocacy for the ratification of the Malabo Protocol, with a view to fast-tracking its ratification by the Member States. The PAP will also continue to strengthen its institutional and operational capacity and be prepared to take on future challenges and opportunities, in anticipation of the entry into force of the Malabo Protocol as well as the implementation of the AU institutional reform.Last, but not least, the year 2019 will also provide an opportunity to kick-start the process of reviewing and updating our Rules of Procedure. In the context of the last elections, the lacunae, ambiguities and inconsistencies recorded in the Rules of Procedure may require urgent work that would enable our Parliament to amend and update its standing Rules.
6.ConclusionThis PAP has made meritorious efforts to fulfil its strategic objectives, through a wide range of activities, both statutory and non-statutory. This could not have been possible without the technical support and contributions received from all stakeholders, whether AU organs and institutions or civil society organizations, as well as the political leadership of the Members of the PAP Bureau and the active participation of the Members of PAP and the efforts and professionalism of the PAP Secretariat.It is important to also recognize the technical, material and financial support of civil society and development partners, the PAP could not have achieved several activities, particularly non statutory meetings. The PAP is particularly satisfied that it has continued to enjoy and garner the trust of development partners in support of its role in the promotion of African Union shared values.
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