Session of the Pan-African Parliament opens

The Fourth Ordinary Session of the Second Pan-African Parliament (PAP) opened today with a call to all present to discuss and exchange views on issues pertinent to the African continent. Hon. Dr. Moussa Idriss Ndélé, President of the PAP, who opened the session in Midrand, commenced by congratulating the new heads of state in Africa and praised the people of Sudan for overseeing a peaceful referendum. Hon. Dr. Ndélé then proceeded to swearing in nine new members to the PAP from Kenya, Djibouti, Tanzania, Botswana and Namibia.

The special guests for this session included the Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritania, H.E. Messoud Ould Boulkheir; First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Angola, H.E. Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco; and the Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Mrs. Lindiwe Maseko.

In their messages of solidarity, H.E. Mrs Maseko explained that the PAP, as a continental body, needs to work closely with other national parliaments in order to ensure its success. The GPL, considering its similar values and goals, has a lot to share with the PAP, she added.

H.E. Lourenco, upon revisiting Angola’s history with the formation of the PAP, reiterated the role of the PAP, especially in conflict resolution.

He insisted that Africa needed to solve its many problems without the interference of foreign forces. PAP, therefore, he added, is the voice of Africa, one that all Africans depended on.

H.E. Ould Boulkheir added to this by requesting that the PAP give more content to this collective African voice in order to adapt more quickly to its new role.

The session will continue until the 20th of May, with members of the PAP set to discuss and debate on various topics relevant to Africa.