All four new members of the Pan African Parliament from South Africa say that at the end of their tenure, the PAP will be more prominent and recognised on the continent. NCOP Chair Thandi Modise, Thoko Didiza and Mandla Mandela, all from the ANC, and EFF Leader Julius Malema will be sworn in as new PAP members Monday, joining the DA’s Santosh Vinita Kalyan.
CIC @Julius_S_Malema at the Pan African Parliament with other MPs being sworn in Monday pic.twitter.com/YhRnbqezY1
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 7, 2018
Since its establishment in 2004 the Pan African Parliament has not reached its full legislative authority, as member countries delay ratifying the Malabo Protocol. It has also been seen as docile in stamping its authority
South Africa hosts its sittings but it too is one of 50 out 55 countries that have not signed the treaty. As Modise, Malema, Didiza and Mandela take their seats they say all this should change in the next two years.
PAP Clerk Vipya Harawa says the African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat is in the country to officially open the two-week session of the PAP, starting Monday in Midrand north of Johannesburg. Harawa explains the main business on the programme.
“In terms of the usual work of the African Parliament, we will focus on the right to health in Africa and we will have speakers from the UN/Aids; former President Motlanthe will be one of the speakers. But the main highlight of the program from the next two weeks is really the elections of the Pan African Parliament bureau – the bureau is the president and four vice presidents.”
Watch below for more on the Pan African Parliament:
