AU Reform: Is the African Union Ignoring Its Own Parliament?

On Tuesday, 22 October 2024, a high-level delegation from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), led by its President, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, met with His Excellency President William Ruto, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms, at State House in Nairobi to discuss PAP’s role in the ongoing AU reform agenda. Attended by key PAP members, the meeting is part of the Parliament’s broader efforts to address its diminishing influence within the AU’s governance framework and advocate for a stronger role in decision-making processes.

The delegation included the 3rd Vice President of PAP Hon. Lucia Dos Passos , the Chairperson of the Western Caucus, Hon. Alhagie Mbow, the Chairperson of the Rules Committee, Hon. Steve Mikaya, and Senator Danson Mungatana, leader of the Kenyan delegation to the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Rahab Mukami, and Hon. Majimbo Kalasinga. At the heart of the discussion was a document presented by the PAP President, outlining the ways in which the Parliament’s advisory and oversight roles have been systematically undermined, and offering concrete recommendations for strengthening its position.

The document, which served as the focal point of the meeting, emphasized that PAP’s advisory capacity has been largely sidelined within AU decision-making processes. Despite being tasked with representing the voices of African citizens and advising on critical policy matters, PAP’s recommendations often go unnoticed by other AU organs. This lack of recognition has led to questions about the institution’s ability to fulfill its mandate as a key pillar in continental governance.

A primary concern raised by PAP is its indirect reporting structure. Currently, the Parliament reports to the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) rather than directly to the Assembly of Heads of State and Government. PAP argued that this arrangement reduces the impact of its recommendations and prevents its contributions from reaching the AU’s highest decision-making body. The delegation urged that PAP should report directly to the Assembly, a move that would enhance its visibility and authority.

Financial oversight was another critical issue discussed. For nearly two decades, PAP has been excluded from the AU budgetary process, even though it is constitutionally empowered to review the budget before its approval by the Assembly. The PRC currently oversees the budget, allowing member states to oversee their own financial allocations, which undermines the principle of separation of powers. PAP called for this function to be restored to the Parliament, allowing it to scrutinize AU spending in line with its oversight mandate.

The delegation also highlighted the severe underfunding of PAP, which has seen its budget slashed from $32 million to just $10.5 million in less than a decade, leaving only $2 million for core operations after staff costs. This has crippled PAP’s ability to carry out its statutory duties, including plenary sessions, committee work, and oversight missions. PAP stressed the need for adequate funding to enable it to fulfill its legislative and advisory roles.

Additionally, the part-time status of the PAP Bureau has limited its ability to effectively manage the Parliament. The document called for full-time leadership, arguing that this would enable the Bureau to oversee the Secretariat and ensure proper financial and administrative management. The Secretariat currently operates with limited oversight from the Bureau, leading to inefficiencies that further undermine PAP’s role.

Centralized recruitment processes under the African Union Commission (AUC) have also slowed PAP’s ability to fill critical positions, leaving key roles like the Head of Finance vacant for extended periods. The delegation advocated for decentralizing recruitment to allow PAP to manage its own staffing needs efficiently.

In response to these concerns, President Ruto acknowledged the dysfunction within the AU and expressed his commitment to ensuring that PAP plays a more active role in connecting the AU to African citizens. He agreed that PAP’s oversight should extend to all AU organs, including a more prominent role in overseeing the AU budget. President Ruto’s remarks signaled a willingness to reconsider PAP’s position within the AU governance structure, offering hope for more meaningful reforms in the near future.

The meeting concluded with a shared understanding that the AU reforms must include a stronger role for PAP in both advisory and oversight capacities.  As the African Parliament participates in AU Reform and continues to advocate for its rightful place within the continental governance system, observers early await AU’s next steps in implementation. Whether the reforms will truly empower PAP to fulfill its mandate or keep it a toothless bulldog will shape the future of governance and accountability across Africa.