Pan-African Parliament’s Recommendations for AU Reform

A high-level delegation from the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), led by its President, Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, met on Tuesday with His Excellency President William Ruto, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Institutional Reforms, at State House in Nairobi. This meeting focused on pivotal reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and accountability of the AU, particularly through empowering the PAP as a key institution in African governance.

During the meeting, President Charumbira presented several recommendations designed to strengthen the role of the PAP and ensure that it serves as a genuine voice for the African populace.

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One of the primary recommendations is the need to strengthen the PAP’s role within the AU framework. The delegation emphasized that the PAP should be recognized for its oversight and consultative responsibilities, ensuring that AU organs remain accountable to African citizens.

To improve operational efficiency, the PAP urged the establishment of a full-time Bureau. Currently functioning on a part-time basis, the Bureau’s limited capacity hampers its ability to effectively supervise and manage PAP affairs.

In addition, the delegation called for clear reporting structures that would see the PAP Secretariat report directly to the Bureau. This change is essential to eliminate parallel structures that can undermine effective management oversight.

Financial accountability is another crucial area identified by the PAP. The delegation recommended that the Bureau be granted financial control over PAP’s resources, which currently lies with the Clerk. This arrangement has raised concerns over accountability, as the Bureau is held responsible for financial irregularities without having the necessary authority.

Adequate funding is vital for the PAP to fulfill its functions, especially for statutory meetings outlined in Article 14(2) of the PAP Protocol. The delegation stressed the importance of ensuring these meetings are properly financed.

Restoring the conditions of service for PAP members is also critical. The benefits and allowances for PAP MPs and Bureau members, previously outlined in Article 10 of the PAP Protocol, need to be reinstated following a 2019 harmonization decision that reduced these benefits, leading to demotivation among members.

To address inefficiencies in staffing, the PAP suggested a decentralization of recruitment processes for its staff from the African Union Commission (AUC). The current centralized system has led to delays and staffing shortages, crippling the institution’s effectiveness.

Furthermore, the PAP called for an enhanced role in budgetary oversight, arguing that the current oversight by the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC) undermines the necessary separation of powers.

Affirming the oversight role of the PAP is deemed crucial, as it differs from the roles of implementing agencies. The PAP ensures that resources are used efficiently, enabling citizens to benefit from AU initiatives. To bolster this oversight, the delegation proposed that AU Heads of Organs and Commissioners be required to appear before the PAP for question-and-answer sessions, starting from May 2023.