Midrand, Johannesburg - Representing the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, the Executive Sectary of NEPAD Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki yesterday presented a report on the state of the African Union during the second day of the Pan–African Parliament’s fifth ordinary session of the Second Parliament.
Dr Mayaki said the African Union focused on three issues: the process of de-marginalization of Africa, the Political and the economic situations in Africa. “The world is under financial crisis; international financial institutions should help developing countries to achieve their financial successes”, he added.
The African continent has two advantages: a large density of human and natural resources, and a high percentage of youth. He pointed out that for Africa to maintain it resources, there must be an appropriate system of governance with transparency and accountability.
Twenty years from now Africa will weigh heavily on the international arena. He disclosed that Africa’s GDP is higher than that of India.
Dr Mayaki noted that on the political situation in Africa, the best news is the creation of the new state of South Sudan’ through the support of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, and also the restoration of institutional governance in Guinea and Niger, and that ECOWAS has been mobilised for the sustainability of democracy in these countries under the umbrella of the African Union.
“There can be no development in Africa without the intervention of the African Union”, said Mayaki.
He reiterated that NEPAD is fully engaged in the development of Africa through two priorities on agriculture and infrastructure, pointing out that in agriculture they have reached the policy design stage and that in infrastructure they are targeting key regional projects. The role of NEPAD is “to enhance Africa’s growth, development and participation in the global economy”, he added.
Responding to the concerns and questions of the Parliamentarian, the Executive Sectary of NEPAD said 40 billion dollars is lost to the west and 25 billion dollars of that is as a result of corruption. He noted that, according to the Maputo agreement, African leaders agreed to give ten percent of their public resources to agriculture; however only 7 percent of the countries implemented this agreement.
Hon. Zely Pierre Inzoungou Massanga, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline presented a report on the proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure to conform to the legal instrument of the African Union. Members could not vote on these proposed amendments due to the lack of the necessary quorum.
Hon. Massanga, presented a second report on the review process of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan-African Parliament.
The process of evaluating and reviewing the mandate of PAP was launched by the Assembly of Heads State and Government of the AU in January 2009. The amendments cover the 28 Articles in the draft protocol, of which 26 have already been debated and adopted by government experts tasked to review the Protocol. Articles 8 and 11 of the Protocol which deal with functions and powers of PAP were deferred to allow government experts to seek the opinion of their governments. This is due to concerns about the national sovereignty of member states.
The fifth ordinary session of the PAP continues.
