Pan-African Parliament: Pro-Putin Bloc ‘Unauthorized’ Visit to Disputed Russian-Ukraine Territories

Eleven legislators of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) are visiting the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), a disputed formerly Ukrainian territory currently occupied by Russia, Sputnik reported on Monday. The delegation, led by H.E. Hon. Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo of Ethiopia and 2nd Vice President of the PAP Bureau, met with DPR Senator Alexander Voloshin and laid flowers at the Saur-Mogila memorial.

According to Sputnik, Hon. Gayo expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s policies and praised him as a “symbol of independence”. The delegation is also said to have explored “humanitarian aid and economic ties” with the DPR.  “Russia we (Africa) owe you, its high time to stand by Russians. Russias you are not alone. We are together with you. 1.4 billion population of Africa is with you”, said Hon. Gayo on TV [AUDIO].

As legislators  of the continental parliament, their activities inherently carried the weight and implication of institutional endorsement. Critics have noted that the endorsement of Russia’s actions on Russian TV and media outlets by PAP MPs  is a gross misrepresentation of the 1.4 billion African citizens, the Pan-African Parliament, and a departure from the African Union’s established position of neutrality on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Beyond the well-documented Anglophone and Francophone divides within the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), an emerging and increasingly concerning faction appears to be a pro-Russia bloc headed by the 2nd Vice President Ashebir Gayo. This group has demonstrated a pattern of behavior that undermines the institution’s credibility, including politically motivated power grabs within the Pan-African Parliament’s presidency. Their bold alignment with Russian interests, as evidenced by their unauthorized mission to Donetsk, is a serious indicator of the emergence of geopolitical blocs and external influences compromising the independence of PAP and African Unity.

What is more troubling is that the mission appears to have been unauthorized. PAP’s secretariat confirmed on Monday that there was no formal request for the visit nor an official invitation letter. Furthermore, the delegation’s activities were not publicized on PAP’s official platforms or by the delegation members themselves, suggesting a deliberate effort to keep the visit under the radar. The lack of transparency risks turning the Pan-African Parliament into a tool for foreign geopolitical agendas, rather than a body dedicated to advancing Africa’s collective interests.

The African Union has consistently maintained neutrality in international conflicts, emphasizing Africa’s focus on resolving its own challenges. PAP, as the legislative arm of the AU, is expected to uphold this stance. The reported actions and statements during this trip, however, signal a troubling shift toward aligning with Russia—a position that undermines African Union’s credibility as a neutral actor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Using the Pan-African Parliament as a platform to endorse one side in an ongoing international conflict sets a dangerous precedent. PAP has long championed the causes of oppressed peoples, including those in Palestine and Western Sahara. For a senior representative, along with a group of MPs that included committee chairpersons, to officially travel to disputed territory and openly side with a revisionist global power leaves more to be desired.More importantly, the question about the source of funding for the PAP-DPR mission.

At a time when the PAP has struggled to secure adequate funding for critical local missions that directly benefit African citizens, the financing of this trip to a Russian-occupied territory demands full transparency. Was this mission privately funded, or did it draw on PAP or external resources? If PAP funds were involved, it would represent a gross misallocation of resources and a betrayal of the trust placed in the institution to prioritize Africa’s development and its citizens’ welfare.

This incident calls for immediate and decisive action. We, therefore, demand that the Pan-African Parliament:

• Order the following PAP MPs who comprised the delegation to clarify the objectives of this visit, the basis of the statements made in Russian media, and why this mission was not sanctioned or disclosed by the PAP Bureau. These are: the 2nd Vice President H.E. Hon. Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo of Ethiopia,  Hon. Don Manuel Doria Bochoboto of Equatorial Guinea, Hon. Welcome Hlamini of Eswatini, Hon. Emmanuel Lowilla of South Sudan, Hon. Menyani Zulu and Hon. Miles Sampa of Zambia, Hon. Mohamed Ahamada Baco of Comoros, Hon. Steven Mikaya and Hon. Victoria Kingstone of Malawi, as well as Hon. Anatropia Theonest Lwehikila and Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe of Uganda
• Officially reaffirm the Pan-African Parliament’s commitment to neutrality in international conflicts, aligning with the African Union’s broader foreign policy.
• Investigate and establish clear protocols to prevent unauthorized missions that risk undermining its integrity and the AU’s diplomatic standing.
• Use its platforms to transparently communicate its activities and positions, ensuring that its mandate as the voice of African citizens is upheld.

As stakeholders in the vision of a unified, sovereign Africa, we must demand accountability to ensure that PAP remains true to its founding principles of championing justice, peace, and self-determination. The Pan-African Parliament must act swiftly to clarify its position, investigate this breach, and reaffirm its commitment to African solutions for African problems. Failure to address these concerns risks further erosion of public trust, compromise the institution’s legitimacy and Africa’s collective voice on the global stage.