PAP President: SADC Parliament Will Complement, Not Challenge, National Sovereignty

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, has strongly reaffirmed that regional parliaments are complementary structures within Africa’s governance architecture and should not be viewed as rivals to national or continental bodies.

Speaking during the official opening of the 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) today in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Chief Charumbira underscored the necessity of regional legislative institutions like the envisioned SADC Regional Parliament. He described such bodies as vital cogs in ensuring democratic accountability, citizen participation, and alignment with continental integration goals.

“A regional parliament does not impose obligations on member states. Rather, it offers a benchmark, a model for better governance. It is complementary, not competitive,” said the PAP President.

Hon. Chief Charumbira drew attention to the significant strides made in transforming the SADC PF into a fully-fledged regional parliament. As of March 2025, 13 out of 16 SADC Member States had signed the Agreement Amending the SADC Treaty, a key milestone that paves the way for the Forum’s transformation. He lauded the commitment of SADC leaders, particularly Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Speaker Jacob Mudenda, for their instrumental roles in driving this agenda.

Reflecting on Africa’s governance evolution, Chief Charumbira noted that the establishment of the PAP in 2004 aimed to correct a critical gap left by the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the absence of a continental parliamentary institution. This gap, he argued, stifled public participation and accountability at the continental level. Regional parliaments, he stated, serve as critical linkages between national legislatures and the PAP, fostering harmonization of laws and ensuring grassroots concerns are elevated to continental platforms.

“The strength of the Pan-African Parliament lies in the vitality of its regional partners. We cannot speak of integration if we ignore the regional foundation,” he said.

Chief Charumbira pointed to the impactful work already being carried out by both PAP and SADC PF in developing Model Laws. The SADC PF’s Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage and PAP’s laws on labour migration, citizenship, and food security, among others, provide legislative blueprints aimed at harmonizing regional and continental legal frameworks.  “These model laws do not usurp national sovereignty—they enhance it by offering practical tools for better governance,” he remarked.

In closing, Chief Charumbira called for deeper collaboration between PAP and regional parliaments. He announced upcoming public consultations on the Model Law on Labour Migration to be held in Nairobi and expressed his hope that future consultations would extend to Southern Africa with the support of SADC PF. “Let us not fear strong institutions of accountability. They do not threaten sovereignty; they protect it by ensuring we remain responsive to our people,” he concluded.

With a strong tone of unity and purpose, the PAP President reaffirmed the continental legislative body’s commitment to working in tandem with regional parliaments under the mantra “One Africa, One Voice.”

The official opening of the 57th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum was graced by a distinguished gathering of regional leaders and institutional representatives. Among the prominent guests were His Excellency, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa; the President of the SADC PF and Speaker of the National Assembly of Madagascar, Hon. Justin Tokely; Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda; and the President of the Senate, Hon. Mabel Chinomona. Also in attendance were Honourable Speakers of various national parliaments and heads of delegations, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North Province, Hon. Richard Moyo; the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera; and representatives of regional parliaments. The event further drew participation from members of the diplomatic corps, the Secretary General of the SADC PF, Madam Boemo Sekgoma, parliamentary clerks and secretaries general, as well as honourable members of parliament and other distinguished delegates.