PAP adopts motion on Somalia, resolution on AU treaties

Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), sitting Friday in Midrand, South Africa, during the Second Ordinary Session of the Second Parliament unanimously adopted a motion on Somalia. The motion, which was presented by Hon. Ibrahim Habeb Nur, MP of Somalia, stated that "Somalia has experienced almost two decades of severe instability, lack of security and countless human sacrifices. The blood of many women, children and the most vulnerable of the society has been repeatedly spilled in the country."

It called on "the Heads of State of the African Union and the United Nations to implement their resolution regarding the military support to the Transitional Government to immediately send the remaining 3,000 peace keeping force."

It also urged "the African Union to put in place support mechanisms to train and retain the Somali internal forces, including facilitating the Transitional government in recruiting and equipping over 40,000 internal security forces." It further urged the "African Union to put in place support mechanisms to train and retain the Somali internal forces including facilitating the Transitional Government in recruiting and equipping over 40,000 internal security forces."

The House also unanimously adopted a resolution presented by Hon. Ismaël Tidjani-Serpos, MP of Benin, aimed at accelerating the signing, ratification and accession to OAU/AU Treaties, Conventions, Charters and Protocols.

The Resolution called on Members of the PAP to "contribute towards removing the bottlenecks that are obstructing the signing /ratification/accession to these legal instruments."

It also requested that "the delegation of each country should give an account to PAP, of the actions undertaken within the framework of this resolution before the next ordinary session of PAP." 

The Second Ordinary Session, which opened on Monday April 12th is expected to end on 20th April, 2010.