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AFRICAN UNION

UNION AFRICAINE

UNIÃO AFRICANA

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: 517 700 Fax: 5130 36

website: www. www.au.int

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Twenty-Ninth Ordinary Session 10 – 15 July 2016 Kigali, RWANDA

EX.CL/975(XXIX) Original: English

REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

(PAP)

http://www.au.int/

PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

PARLEMENT PANAFRICAIN

PARLAMENTO PAN-AFRICANO البرلمان األفريقي

Gallagher Convention Center, Private Bag X16, Midrand 1685, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa

Tél : (+27) 11 545 5000 - Fax : (+27) 11 545 5136 – Site Web : www.pan-african-parliament.org

One Africa, One Voice! 1 of 26

Orig: ENGLISH /FRENCH

PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

REPORT COVERING THE PERIOD FROM JULY 2015 TO MAY

2016

PRESENTED TO THE 27TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF

THE UNION

BY

H.E. HON. ROGER NKODO DANG PRESIDENT OF THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

JULY, 2016

KIGALI, RWANDA

http://www.pan-african-parliament.org/


1.0 INTRODUCTION This activity report recapitulates in a chronological order, the main activities of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) from October 2015 to May 2016. As you would have the opportunity to notice, all the components of the Pan-African Parliament resolutely set out to work, be it the Bureau, the Plenary, Permanent Committees or the Administrative Staff. They made maximum input not only to set in motion the reform and innovation process which we have opted for, but also to promote the visibility of the activities of the Pan-African Parliament in accordance with the resolutions made during the African Union Summit held in June 2015 in Johannesburg, in the Republic of South Africa. Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen members of the PRC, Heads of the organs of the African Union, ladies and gentlemen in your respective titles and ranks, the period that this report focuses on was characterised in August 2015 by the traditional Sittings of Committees during which two non-statutory meetings were organised: The consultative dialogue of Secretaries General of African Parliaments and the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments. However, the Permanent Committees of the Pan-African Parliament were at work before and after this session. 2.0 THE CONSULTATIVE DIALOGUE OF SECRETARIES GENERAL OF AFRICAN PARLIAMENTS The Consultative Dialogue of Secretaries General of African Parliaments was organised on 5 August 2015 in prelude to the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments. The theme of the Dialogue was "The role of Parliamentary administration in the signing and ratification of the new Protocol of the Pan-African Parliament." During their meetings, participants highlighted the shortcomings in the Protocol. At the end, they recommended, among others, that the PAP put in place a unit/office in order to:

Act as liaison and serve as reference for information relating to the work and activities of the Parliament;


Sensitize members of national Parliaments on the activities of the PAP;

Make up for the shortcomings in the visibility of the PAP at the

continental level through the institution of a Annual Day of the PAP in

their national Parliaments;

Move some of its activities to Member States of the African Union;

During their meetings, the Secretaries General unanimously adopted the By-Laws of the Pan-African Parliament Secretaries General Association (PASGA).

3.0 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS OF PARLIAMENTS As you already know, the Conference of Speakers of Parliaments is a very important initiative which constitutes a platform for dialogue and collaboration between the PAP and the Parliaments of the Member States of the African Union with a view to disseminating the instruments, programmes and policies of the African Union. The 2015 Conference was held from 6 to 7 August on the theme "2015, Year of Women's Empowerment and Development towards Africa's Agenda 2063". The main item on the Agenda of this Conference was the revised Protocol of the PAP. We used this platform and the opportunity that was offered to us to pursue advocacy for the ratification of the Protocol. The special guest of honour was the former President of Botswana, His Excellency Ketumile Joni Massiré, who delivered a message of solidarity. The main conclusion of this meeting was that women have a primordial role to play, as mothers and wives, in the decision-making organs of both private and public sectors. Agenda 2063 and the issue of climate change and their consequences on Africa also featured on the agenda of the discussions. The report of this Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments presents the details on all the issues discussed, it is available on the PAP web site. 4.0 ACTIVITIES OF COMMITTEES FROM JUNE TO DECEMBER 2015 Committees and regional Caucuses held their meetings before, during and after the Committee session in order to debate the 2016 work plans and issues relating to their respective mandates.

4.1. Permanent Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs The Permanent Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs participated in the consultation in the domain of Post-2015 sexual and reproductive rights, organised by the International Planned


Parenthood Federation - Africa Region (IPPF-AR). This meeting was held from 30 June to 2 July 2015 and served as the platform for the main actors to know the institutions and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) that have normative functions namely, Parliamentarians, invited representatives of governments, United Nations institutions and civil society organisations, with a view to debating the best way of contributing towards the implementation of development policies in Africa, by laying emphasis on rights in the domain of sexual and reproductive health as defined by the International Conference on Population and Development and the Millennium Development Goals which remain to be achieved. The dialogue enabled the elaboration of strategies aimed at ensuring accountability and efficiency in the implementation of policies in the domain of sexual and reproductive health in Africa within the framework of Post-2015 development through the reinforced collaboration of stakeholders. The Permanent Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs was also represented at the Parliamentary Colloquium on African Leadership that was held on 1 December 2015 in Harare in Zimbabwe. This colloquium was organised in order to enable dialogue on the main measure to be taken to eliminate AIDS by 2030 with in particular, an advocacy for; the elimination of cultural practices that affect the spread of HIV and increase vulnerability to infection by HIV; the promotion, respect and protection of the fundamental rights of women and girls in societies that are just coming out of conflict; as well the national financing of health systems. The Permanent Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs was further represented by its chairperson at the 2nd Biannual Conference on the Regulation of Medicines in Africa and the 4th African Conference of Medicine Regulators, which were held from 30 November to 1 December 2015 and from 2 to 4 December respectively in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia. The Scientific Conference was organised on the theme: "Strengthening regulatory systems in order to enhance research, innovation and local pharmaceutical production in Africa". It was aimed at enabling stakeholders to discuss the way of strategically positioning the regulatory systems of medical products. These systems are very important in facilitating research, development and the local production of the medical products used in combating diseases that are seriously affecting the peoples of Africa.


The 4th African Conference of Medicine Regulators, for its part, had as objective; to help countries to accelerate the establishment of medicine regulatory bodies to become functional at the national, regional and continental levels and strengthening the capacity of the existing national medicine regulatory authorities in the region. 4.2 Permanent Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disability Members of the Permanent Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disability and those from the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs of the Pan-African Parliament jointly held a colloquium in collaboration with IPAS-African Alliance from 30 to 31 July 2015. The meeting discussed public health issues, social equity and human rights caused by maternal mortality and morbidity due in particular to unsafe abortion in Africa. Participants pledged to undertake actions aimed at creating awareness on these issues and formulating new guidelines in order to help Member States to revise their national laws on abortion to conform to the minimal norms as provided for by the Maputo Protocol and the other human rights instruments, while taking into account the specificities of countries. It was recommended that permanent committees within national Parliaments consider the existing features, the laws and policies relating to abortion and formulate recommendations on the revision of punitive or restrictive laws which contribute to maternal mortality and morbidity caused by unsafe abortion. 4.3. Permanent Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs The Permanent Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs organised a workshop on capacity building on 30 and 31 July 2015. This training, sponsored by the GIZ, was aimed at enabling Committee members to know themselves and be endowed with the tools that would enable them to effectively carry out their mission of budgetary oversight at the level of the Union. Indeed, this training appeared to be indispensable in light of the new challenges that the PAP was obliged to meet, when for the first time in its history, the budget of the African Union was submitted to it during the 3rd Ordinary Session in March 2014. 4.4. Permanent Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters The Permanent Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters undertook a study visit to the ECOWAS Parliament and


Commission from 21 to 23 September 2015 in Abuja, in Nigeria. The aim was to brief itself on information on the current regional efforts made by ECOWAS in the domain of trade, customs and immigration matters and the policies put in place with a view to enabling the realisation of the African Union vision for a continental free-trade zone by 2017 and, ultimately, the integration of the whole of Africa. 4.5. Permanent Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources The Permanent Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources of the PAP held a non-statutory sitting in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, from 20 to 22 August 2015. Having participated in the formulation of the Continental strategy in the domain of education (2016-2025), the Committee held consultations with the Department of Human Development, Science and Technology of the African Union Commission on the role of the PAP in the implementation of this strategy. It further held discussions with the Department of Social Affairs of the AUC in order to determine the possible domains of cooperation within the framework of the AUC project for the formulation of a model law aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. This Committee of the PAP also met with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in order to forge closer working relations in particular, in the field of the dissemination of information relating to the programmes/projects and studies of the Division for Social Development Policy of the ECA. 4.6. Permanent Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources In accordance with the mandate of the Permanent Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources which consists in "promoting the development and implementation of the programmes of the Union in the field of natural resources and environment" its Bureau held a consultative meeting with NEPAD, on 4 and 5 November 2015 in Kenya, in order to brief itself on the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). This meeting enabled Committee members to understand the guidelines of the CAADP, which is an African Union programme for agricultural and rural development, in particular within the context of the Malabo Declaration on accelerated growth and transformation of agriculture in Africa, and to contribute to the formulation of a well-defined strategic and work plan with a view to improving joint


collaboration and promoting the application of CAADP by both institutions. Lastly, the Committee participated in a training workshop on investment and projects of ECOWAS land policy initiative organised by the Land Policy Initiative (LPI), in collaboration with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Abidjan, in Côte d'Ivoire from 14 to 16 December 2015. 4.7. Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution In the aftermath of the attempted coup d’état of 13 May 2015 in Bujumbura, the Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution of the PAP, represented by a delegation of six Parliamentarians, undertook a fact-finding mission to Bujumbura from 23 to 27 November 2015. The objective of the mission was to monitor the situation in the country, in accordance with its consultative role and pursuant to its objectives of promoting peace, security and stability and democratic culture at all levels of the African Union. 5.0 FIRST ORDINARY SESSION OF THE 4th PARLIAMENT OF THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

After the Committee Sittings of August 2015, the Pan-African Parliament held the first Ordinary Session of its fourth Parliament from 5 to 17 October 2015. The Plenary debated topical issues which focused in particular on:

The "Electricity for All in Africa" project presented by H.E. Mr Jean-Louis Borloo, President of Energies For Africa and former Minister of State of the Republic of France;

Country reports of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) of Algeria, Lesotho, Burkina Faso and Uganda;

Climate change and the African position at COP 21 in Paris presented by H.E. Mrs. Elisabeth Barbier, Ambassador of the Republic of France in the Republic of South Africa and Mr. Sunnil Dowarkasing, representative of the Greenpeace Movement;

A presentation on Peace and Security in Africa; And an exposé on the establishment of the continental free-trade

zone and the role of Parliamentarians presented by H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry.

In accordance with Rule 22 (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the PAP, the

Parliament established on this occasion, a Committee on Audit and Public Accounts to examine the internal and external audit accounts relating to


the PAP as well as the reports of the African Union Board of External Auditors and requested that appropriate measures be taken for the effective implementation of the recommendations emanating from it.

6.0 2015 Annual Parliamentarian Women's Conference On the sidelines of this session, the PAP held its annual Parliamentarian Women's Conference from 12 to 13 October 2015, on the theme: "Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa's Agenda 2063 - From Dialogue to Action - the Role of Women Parliamentarians of the Pan-African Parliament in Parliaments”. The main objective of the Conference was to strengthen the capacity of participants to promote the implementation of the Maputo Protocol, by laying emphasis on the economic and social wellbeing of women in legislative and political instruments and to formulate the main recommendations to Parliamentarians at the national level. The Conference which lasted for two days, brought together more than 125 women Parliamentarians, representatives of the Private Sector, the Civil Society and Governments from all the regions of the Continent.

7.0 World Summit on the Open Government Partnership (OGP)

After the October 2015 Session and at the invitation of the Mexican Senate through the "National Democratic Institute", the President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E Roger Nkodo Dang participated at the World Summit on the Open Government Partnership (OPG) held from 27 to 29 October 2015 in Mexico. The objective was to exchange knowledge between governments, parliaments, the civil society and international institutions on the possibilities and challenges associated with the opening up of the legislative process.

8.0 Seminar on the Sensitization of Members of the Pan-African Parliament on Animal Resources in collaboration with the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the African Union

From 5 to 6 November, in collaboration with the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), the PAP organized a high-level seminar in Nairobi, Kenya to inform members of the Pan-African Parliament and draw up an action plan as well as a roadmap for its members at the national, regional, and continental levels on the development strategy of livestock for Africa, the policy and strategic Framework for the reform of fishing and aquaculture in Africa, the VET Gov Programme (strengthening of veterinary governance in Africa) and the SPS activities (sanitary and phyto-sanitary).


On this occasion, the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the African Union, through the VET Gov Programme strove to promote partnership with African Parliamentarians by providing information on the policies and processes of the elaboration of laws relating to animal resources and on the progress registered at national, regional and continental levels with a view to soliciting and obtaining their support in this domain.

9.0 Second Summit of Pan-African Parliamentarians on Matters Relating to Climate Policy

In a lead up to COP 21, the Pan-African Parliament participated at the 2nd Summit of African Parliamentarians on climate policy from 10 to 13 November 2015 in Kenya, on the theme “Towards a Common Position on Climate Justice and Equity in the New Universal Agreement on Climate Change”. The objective of the Summit was to develop a common African agenda before COP 21 and to broaden it to the role that Parliamentarians can play during negotiations that were underway on climate change, formulate actions to take in order to cope with climate change, as well as strategies on the way of acting jointly and effectively with a view to installing climate justice and advocating for equity, both within the framework for the preparation of the Paris Conference and thereafter. 10.0 Sensitization Campaign for the Electrification for Africa At the invitation of Mr. Jean-Louis Borloo, President of Energies for Africa, a powerful delegation of Pan-African Parliamentarians went to Paris in November 2015. The aim of the mission was to sensitize the French Government through the National Assembly, the Senate and the Economic and Social Council on the need to electrify Africa. An exceptional welcome was reserved for this delegation of about twenty (20) Parliamentarians led by the President, Honourable Roger Nkodo Dang. The representatives of the French government and those of the peoples of Africa experienced, on this occasion, a moment of exceptional communion which enabled the French government to include the need to electrify Africa and looking for the resources and expertise to undertake this project, among the objectives of COP 21 which was about to begin. 11.0 Consultative meeting on the revised Protocol relating to the PAP A PAP delegation composed of three members also attended, at the European Parliament., in Brussels, in Belgium, consultation meetings on 19 and 20 November 2015, in order to study the impact of the implementation of the revised Protocol. 12.0 Consultation between the PAP and regional Parliaments for the


Promotion of constitutionalism and the rule of law in Africa In collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs of the African Union, the PAP, in its capacity as Chairperson of the AGA on constitutionalism and the rule of law, participated in the consultative meeting for the promotion of constitutionalism and the rule of law in Africa, from 25 to 27 November 2015, at its seat in Midrand. It entailed for the first time, a series of consultations to be undertaken with national and regional Parliaments. 13.0 Policy dialogue for the region of Africa on democracy and service delivery The Department of Legislative Business of the PAP, for its part, participated in the Policy Dialogue for the region of Africa on democracy and service delivery, on 23 and 34 November 2015. The meeting was organized in order to brainstorm collectively on the increasing problems that service delivery is posing to the citizens of Southern Africa. The meeting made it possible to underscore the causes, effects and consequences of the lack of service delivery that Southern African countries are facing, to share knowledge and exchange ideas on the situation. The forum also laid emphasis on the particular context of various countries, in order to enable a nuanced evaluation of the overall situation of service delivery in the region and to elaborate a plan capable of serving as a base for future actions at various levels. 14.0 Participation of the Pan-African Parliament at COP 21 in December 2015 in Paris As an organ of the African Union, the Pan-African Parliament was invited to COP 21 as an observer. Its delegation did not certainly participate in the negotiations but followed them from start to finish; however, the daily updates that were organized made it possible to have a regular overview of the progress of the negotiations. In order to increase its visibility, the Pan-African Parliament, on this occasion, took part in many parallel events (conferences, debates etc…). Many interviews were granted by the President, the 1st Vice-President and Parliamentarians who were part of the delegation, to television channels such as Africa 24, France 24, Canal + France, CRTV, Togolese, Senegalese and Malian television stations as well as to a certain number of radio stations such as RFI. Public interest was evident as proven by the numerous requests that were made to the delegation. It is worth underscoring here that in the agreement signed at the end of COP 21, featured a clause relating to the electrification of Africa, which sufficiently demonstrates the relevance and impact of the


mission of the delegation of the Pan-African Parliament to Paris in November 2015. 15.0 African Governance Architecture (AGA) H. E Dr. Bernadette Lahai, 4th Vice-President of PAP, participated in the “4th

High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance: Trends, Challenges and Prospects” under the theme “Women’s Equal Participation and Leadership in Political Parties in Africa” that was held on 7 and 8 December 2015 in Kigali, Rwanda. The High-Level Dialogue, which is an annual meeting of the African Union Commission, is designed to provide a frank, open and inclusive forum for African Governance Architecture Platform Members, Member States and Non-State Actors to brainstorm and give an account of the impact of their work towards consolidating democracy and strengthening good governance in Africa. The objectives of the 2015 Dialogue seeks to achieve three broad goals:

(i) Renew the commitment of Member States to ratify, domesticate and implement AU Shared Values Instruments that promote gender equality, in particular the Maputo Protocol;

(ii) Enhance synergy, cooperation and collaboration among AGA Platform Members in promoting gender equality and leadership of women in political parties; and

(iii) The critical study and understanding of the Rwanda’s success story on women empowerment and participation with the aim of replicating the lessons in other AU Member States with regard to the participation of women in political parties.

Members of the African Governance Architectural Platform elected the PAP as Chairperson of the Platform for 2016-2017.

16.0 Consultative meetings of stakeholders and experts on the evaluation of the implications of the revised Protocol relating to the PAP and on the monitoring and evaluation system of the PAP

Following the various consultative meetings held with the organs of the AU and the other key actors of the PAP in order to evaluate the implications of the revised Protocol relating to the PAP and on its monitoring and evaluation system, the Pan-African Parliament organised the most recent consultation meeting and the final validation with stakeholders. The aim of the meeting was to enable external stakeholders and other independent experts to make their final inputs on the two processes. The aim of this exercise was to help consultants to come together in order to analyse the information and the opinions given by the various groups in order to study the first draft emanating from the two missions, as stipulated above. This stakeholders' meeting was attended by the Bureau of the PAP, members of Parliament from


West Africa, staff of the Secretariat and Civil Society Organisations. The meeting was financed by the GIZ and was held from 16 to 18 December 2015, in Dakar in Senegal. It constituted the last activity of the Pan-African Parliament for 2015.

17.0 African Union Summit One of the most significant activities at the beginning of the 2016 was the participation of a delegation of the Pan-African Parliament led by its President to the African Union Summit that was held at the end of January 2016 in Addis Ababa. The President seized this opportunity to continue sensitizing the various Heads of State and delegations present at the summit on the need to ratify the Malabo Protocol. Meetings with authorities of the Commission also enabled the PAP to shed some light on the activities and challenges faced by the Pan-African Parliament. 18.0 Ambassadors Briefing Meeting Before the Committee sittings, the Bureau as per practice, met with African Ambassadors accredited in South Africa on the 2nd of March 2016 to brief them on the activities that PAP have undertaken since their last meeting. It was also an opportunity for the President to table for discussion, the State of the Ratification of the Revised Protocol of the Pan-African Parliament and other issues relating to the Budget of the Parliament, the security situation and the pending matter relating to the renewal of the Host Country Agreement between the Pan-African Parliament and the Republic of South Africa. Another meeting was also held on 28 April, shortly before the 2nd Ordinary Session of the 4th Parliament. 19.0 PARTICIPATION AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS

COMMISSION’S 20th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE ON RACISM While on rotation duties at the Pan-African Parliament, the First Vice-President represented the President of the Pan-African Parliament at the 20th Anniversary Conference on Racism organized by the South African Human Rights Commission on 14 and 15 March 2016 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Republic of South Africa. The overall objective of this two-day Conference was to provide a multi-stakeholder platform to critically evaluate the gains and challenges of the Commission with regard to the execution of its mandate. On the first day, participants at the Conference reflected broadly on the role of the Commission in relation to promoting the respect and protection of human rights. On the second day, they gave a special focus to the scourge of racism in the country and examined the roles and responsibilities of both State and non-State actors in building and fostering racial reconciliation and an equal society.


20.0 COMMITTEE SITTINGS: 29 FEBRUARY TO 2 MARCH 2016

20.1 Plenary of 29 February and 3 March 2016 Pursuant to Rules 27 and 28 of its Rules of Procedure, the Parliament held, on the sidelines of Committee sittings and organs, two (2) plenary sessions on 29 February and 3 March 2016 respectively at its seat in Midrand. The main issues discussed during these sittings included Peace and Security in Africa, the medical insurance coverage for Parliamentarians as well as the 2017 Draft Budget of the Pan African Parliament.

20.1.1 Medical insurance Concerning the insurance of Parliamentarians, Mr. Laurens VAN IMPE, Account Manager, made a presentation on CIGNA, the international health service company chosen to insure our Parliamentarians. He explained in details the benefits that CIGNA offers to its clients the world over. Members expressed some concerns with regard to the absence of CIGNA in certain countries, the non-existence of medical cover to members of their families and the benefits accorded by the chosen plan. They also sought to know the reaction of the insurance company in the case of unplanned medical treatments or accidents. The representative of CIGNA insurance company reassured Parliamentarians on the fact that the insurance will cover all PAP Member countries. He then explained the magnitude and procedure of the medical cover.

20.1.2. Presentation and debate on Peace and Security in Africa by H.E. SMAIL CHERGUI, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security

Coming from Addis Ababa precisely for the occasion, His Excellency Commissioner CHERGUI focused his presentation on the cases of Somalia, South Sudan, Comoros, Madagascar, Sudan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Libya and Western Sahara. He also highlighted the increasing power of terrorism and violent extremism in North Africa, Central Africa and East Africa. On this last point, he reassured his audience on the progress made to render the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) fully operational adding that an African Standby Force (ASF) was fully operational. He furthermore informed Parliamentarians present of the implementation of a new voluntary process to ascertain whether or not a country is evolving towards a crisis, and stated that Afripol will soon be operational which will allow for the harmonization of information by African Police. Finally, he concluded his remarks by saying that the African Union is listening to the proposals and contributions made by the Pan-African Parliament.


20.1.3 Presentation and discussion of the Report of the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs on the 2017 Draft Budget of the Pan African Parliament

Still on the plenary held during the Committee Sittings, Honourable Mike Temple, Acting Chairperson of the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs presented to Parliamentarians, the 2017 Draft Budget estimated by income and expenditure at US$ 17,444,091 (Seventeen million four hundred and forty four thousand and ninety one US Dollars). The said budget is characterized by a slight increase as compared to 2016, whose total is US$ 16,016,230 (Sixteen million, sixteen thousand, two hundred and thirty U.S. dollars). This increase is attributed inter alia, to the granting to Parliamentarians, of an allowance during the Sessions in accordance with Article 10 of the Protocol establishing the Pan-African Parliament and the finalization of the recruitment process. On this occasion, Parliamentarians, while recognizing the austerity measures in force within the African Union, accepted the principle of an increase in this budget to allow the Pan-African Parliament to undertake its missions. This is the opportunity to thank the organs of the African Union that have accepted the principle of this increase in the 2017 PAP Budget.

20.2 Activities of Permanent Committees The Pan-African Parliament held its very first Committee Sittings for the year 2016 from 29 February to 2 March, 2016 at the seat of the Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. This session was expertly prepared by the Third Vice-President, Hon. Suilma Hay Emhamed ELKAID who made sure that rotation was observed from 17 to 27 February 2016. Some of the meetings were held prior to the Sitting itself.

20.2.1 Preparatory activities to Committee Sittings During its sitting of October 2015, the Permanent Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters established a sub-committee tasked with mobilising external resources for the implementation of the Committee's programmes. Accordingly, the Secretariat through the Unit, facilitated meetings with prospective development partners including Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) on 25 and 26 February 2016. This meeting was attended by members of the Committees on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters and Monetary & Financial Affairs as well as those from the Permanent Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs.

20.2. 2 Activities during Committee Sittings Under the oversight of Vice-Presidents, PAP Permanent Committee sittings were held from 29 February to 2 March, 2016. The Permanent Committee


on Audit and Public Account which could not meet due to lack of quorum. In addition to discussions on issues relating to their committees, some presentations were received from various institutions on thematic areas within the purview of the Committees while some held workshops as individual Committees or jointly with other Committees. 20.2.2.1 Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment On 29 February, the Committee considered the MOU between the PAP and Habitat for Humanity and received a presentation on “Overview of TERRAFRICA Partnership on Sustainable Land and Water Management” The Committee also held a Joint workshop with the Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disability on 1March, 2016 on the theme “The Rights of Women to Land Access” facilitated by Habitat for Humanity International , Land Policy Initiative and GIZ. Presentations made during the workshop had as titles:

“Update on the Maputo Protocol” "Rights of Women to Access Land: an approach to deepen

women empowerment” “Women in agriculture towards food security in Africa” “Tools to domesticate Articles 15 and 19 of Maputo Protocol into

national laws, oversight and report back mechanism for the implementation of Women’s Rights”

During the workshop, an action plan was developed and then endorsed by the Plenary that was held during these Committee Sittings. On 2 February, 2016 presentations on “CAADP Malabo Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation” and “Collaboration between the AUC Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture and the PAP’s Committee on Rural Economy” were made to the Committee by resource persons from the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP). 20.2.2.2 Permanent Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs Following the meeting of the Bureau on 2 March, 2016 the Committee met and approved the 2017 PAP Budget. Furthermore, the Committee received a presentation by Mr. William Hariss on “Expanding the Financial Resources of the Pan-African Parliament: Strategy for Fund Raising” on 1 March, 2016.


20.2.2.3 Permanent Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters The Committee received a presentation from the African Union Department for Trade and Industry on the theme “Customs issues and cross-border Trade in Africa” on 1 March 2016. 20.2.2.4 Permanent Committee on Transport, Industry, Communication, Energy, Science and Technology The Committee held a Workshop on “E-Governance: Challenges to Members of Parliament in Africa-Case studies and practical experience” on 1 and 2 March, 2016. 20.2.2.5 Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution held its sittings on 29 February and 1 March, 2016 The report and recommendations of this Committee following its fact-finding mission from 23 to 27 November 2015 to Burundi was submitted to the plenary and was the subject of recommendations that you will find in the annex of this activity report. 20.2.2.6 Permanent Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs On 29 February 2016, NEPAD made a presentation to the Committee on “African Medicine Regulatory Harmonization implementation tool kit”. 20.2.2.7 Permanent Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources In addition to the contents of the agenda of the Committee, a presentation on “NEPAD’s Education Projects and Programmes” was made by NEPAD followed by a briefing session by the Legal Counsel on the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Pan-African Parliament and the African Leadership Development Institute (LeadAfrika)” on 29 February and 1March, 2016 respectively. 20.2.2.8 Permanent Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People

with Disability On 1 March 2016, the Committee on Gender jointly organised a workshop with the Committee on Agriculture and Justice on the “Rights of Women to Land Access". The meeting discussed the role of the PAP in accelerating the ratification and implementation of the Maputo Protocol within national Parliaments. It also highlighted the challenges faced by Parliaments/Parliamentarians in the ratification and domestication of the Maputo Protocol. The experiences of successful countries where shared in the meeting.


The African Disability Alliance sponsored a joint workshop for the Committee with the Committees on Health and Justice on “Disability Mainstreaming Principles and Examples of Best Practice” on 2 March, 2016. 20.2.2.9 Permanent Committee on Justice and Human Rights A presentation by APCOF (African Policing and Civil Oversight Forum) on the scoping paper for developing a model law on Policing and Detention in Africa was made to the Committee on 29 February, 2016. 20.2.2.10 Permanent Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline On 29 February 2016, the unit engaged a resource person to make a presentation to the Committee on “The Proposal to amend the PAP Rules of Procedure in line with the new PAP Protocol”. The need had become apparent in view of the activities outlined in its work plan which includes the amendment of the PAP Rules of Procedure. In all, the Permanent Committees Unit facilitated a total of twenty five (25) sittings of Permanent Committees and one (1) Youth Caucus meeting. 21.0 Official Visit of the Delegation of the Indonesian People’s

Consultative Assembly A delegation of the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly visited Pretoria and Johannesburg from 13 to 15 March 2016. Against this backdrop, they had requested a visit to the Pan-African Parliament in order to exchange views on several issues. The Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly comprised a total of 692 members elected for 5 years. The Governing Bureau is composed of 5 elected members. The 1st Vice-President, Honourable Eduardo Joaquim Mulembwe who was on rotation at that time, led the Pan-African Parliament delegation.

Key points of exchange between the 1st Vice-President and the Indonesian delegation

The Indonesian delegation was led by Dr. H.M. Hidayat Nur Wahid, Vice-President of the Constitutive Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia.

The visit was aimed at improving and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy. Members of the Indonesian delegation also wanted to introduce their roles and functions and to understand the roles and responsibilities of the PAP.


The Peoples' Constitutive Assembly was soliciting the collaboration of the PAP in order to assist the ASEAN to obtain an observer status at the African Union.

The Constitutive Assembly expressed the wish to continue strengthening its relations with the PAP and to have a better understanding of the institution.

At the end of this visit, both parties agreed on the need to sign a Convention linking them. 22.0 Mission to the Council of Europe and to the European Parliament The President of Pan-African Parliament led a delegation to the Council of Europe and to the European Parliament, from 11 to 22 April 2016. On 19 April 2016, the delegation of the PAP held a meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz. Issues discussed centred on:

the electrification of Africa the clandestine immigration of Africans terrorism

At the end of their discussions, the two parties agreed to strengthen their cooperation by:

Putting in place a working team composed of Parliamentarians from each structure. The first meeting was held from 5 to 7 May 2016 at the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, in the Republic of South Africa;

Organizing regular meetings between the Presidents of the two Parliaments, with a view to monitoring the issues discussed in the files examined during their meeting of April 2016 in Brussels;

Building the capacity of Parliamentarians and the staff of the Pan-African Parliament;

Allocating by the European Parliament of financing for the activities of the Pan-African Parliament.

23.0 2nd Ordinary Session of the 4th Parliament of the PAP The Pan-African Parliament held its 2nd Ordinary Session of the Fourth Parliament from 3 to 13 May 2016 in Midrand, in the Republic of South Africa under the theme "2016, Africa's Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on the Rights of Women". The session was attended by more than 120 Parliamentarians. The PAP would like to express its appreciation to Member States and at the same time would like to insist that they should be represented at the statutory meetings of the PAP in order to enable Parliamentarians to fully participate and make their contribution to the relevant issues concerning Africa.


The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of H.E. Victor Bockarie Foh, Vice-President of Sierra Leone and of H.E. Eduardo Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique in their capacity as Guests of Honour. The ceremony was also attended by Ministers of State and other dignitaries in their capacity as special guests of the PAP. Several presentations were made and debates were conducted during this session in accordance with the themes. The Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Erastus Mwencha, presented the 2017 draft budget of the AU. The debates were lively and many issues were raised, with Parliamentarians showing much enthusiasm with regard to the problems that Africa is facing. Parliamentarians constitute a chain of the PAP and without them; the objectives of the Parliament cannot be attained. The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) closed its 2nd Ordinary Session on 12 May 2016 with the adoption of seven (7) Resolutions and four (4) Recommendations during its last plenary session. Among the decisions taken, was that to organise the 3rd Ordinary Session in a Member State of the Africa Union (AU). It was proposed and adopted that the PAP put in place focal points in charge of issues relating to women within the structures of the Parliament, including the Bureau, Regional Caucuses, Permanent Committees and the Secretariat. This decision will enable the PAP to strengthen awareness on gender issues and advocate for the reduction of disparities between men and women. The PAP will also establish a focal point at the level of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in order to create links, ensure coordination and promote synergies between the Permanent Committees of the Parliament and the technical organ of the AU - NEPAD. In accordance with the conclusions of a resolution on climate change, the PAP will develop a concrete work plan for the annual participation of the Permanent Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment at COP 22. The PAP will mobilise adequate financial resources with a view to ensuring its participation at World meetings on climate change and harmonising the participation of A.U. organs at future COP conferences.


The 4th Vice-President of the PAP, Honourable Dr. Bernadette Lahai, presented an additional draft resolution on the situation in the Western Sahara and expressed her support for the A.U.'s stance. Furthermore, the PAP recommended and adopted the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA), support to apprenticeship and exchange of practical skills in the field of electronic governance on the continent and strengthening women's right to land access. 24.0 Update on the Ratification of the Protocol of the PAP Following the recommendation of the Plenary and the Annual Conference of Speakers of African Parliaments, the Parliament elaborated a advocacy strategy entitled "28 in 26" aimed at attaining the required number of ratification for the revised Protocol relating to the Pan-African Parliament in force. To this effect, we undertook, with the help of our development partners, an intensive advocacy in Algeria, Egypt, the Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Western Sahara, Senegal Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Togo and Zimbabwe, at the end of which we collected the positive reactions and obtained the commitment of these Member States. I would like to seize this opportunity to express, once more, our appreciation to the Republic of Mali, Sierra Leone, Mauritania and the Gambia for the ratification of the instrument. Our gratitude also goes to Benin, Chad, Congo and Guinea Bissau for signing the Protocol. We are further calling on them, to undertake the process to its end while inviting countries that are still having apprehensions to also begin this process for the greater interest of Africa. 25.0 Election Observation Missions Within the framework of joint election observation missions of the A.U., the Pan-African Parliament fielded Parliamentarians and staff members to observe the organization of elections in the following countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Comoros, Niger, Benin, Cape Verde, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Chad, Central Africa, Uganda, Zanzibar and Equatorial Guinea. 26.0 Media and Communication The Media and Communication Unit covered several events, among which were the preparatory mission of COP 21, the monitoring and evaluation workshop in Dakar, sensitisation missions to Cameroon and to Madagascar, the preparation of the A.U. Summit, sittings of Permanent Committees of the PAP in 2016, as well as the PAP meetings of October 2015. For all these missions and events, we provided full media coverage and communications


services, in particular a video/photo coverage, media logistic management and the production of press releases, and postings on Web Site, Face book and twitter coverage. We also posted photos and videos of the missions undertaken by Parliamentarians. on the website, Face book and twitter. As some of you must have noticed, the Web site has been completely re-designed and updated, with new contents, features and sections (President's corner, Hansard, etc) in order to give it a more modern and multimedia dimension. A database of journalists has also been created, by establishing networks with media institutions, during the various PAP events. We have also created new Face book, twitter and You Tube accounts for the PAP. Through the use of a solid social media strategy, the consolidated number of "followers" on these three platforms has increased from 2,472 to 20,000 followers to date, which is a very significant breakthrough for the institution. Presently, we also have a database and a photo and video gallery for the PAP records and archives. 27.0 Update on the Implementation of the New Approved Organisational Structure of the PAP Secretariat The Bureau continues to give high priority to the finalization of the recruitment process at PAP Secretariat in the implementation of the new organization structure emanating from Decision EX.CL. 720 (XXI) approved by the Executive Council for the Secretariat of the Pan-African Parliament. The Bureau is therefore pleased to report that the recruitment of all 17 positions within the General Services Category of staff was concluded in March, 2016. The recruitment process for these positions was done under the supervision of the Appointments, Promotion and Recruitment Board (APROB). This Board is chaired by the 1st Vice President of the Pan African Parliament, Honourable Eduardo Joaquim Mulembwe who is also in charge of administrative matters within the Bureau of the PAP. Appointment letters were issued to all the newly recruited staff, in the absence of funds to employ all of them. Part of those who should vacate their positions has not done so because this exercise has financial implications. A request has been sent to the A.U. to enable us finalise this first phase and begin the second recruitment phase. And we are happy to thank it (AU,) for it responded favourably at the end of June 2016. The Bureau has also undertaken as a priority to finalize within the second half of 2016, the recruitment of 14 outstanding professional positions and a consultant has been hired to this effect with funding from the GIZ. As outlined below, the positions concerned are: No. Position Grade


1 Deputy Clerk-Legislative Business and Conferences

P6

2 Interpreter/Translator-Arabic P4 3 Interpreter/Translator-Portuguese P4 4 Interpreter/Translator-English P4 5 Editor of Debates P3 6 Senior Protocol Officer P3 7 Sub-Editor of Debates P2 8 Resource Mobilization Officer P2 9 Research Officer P1 10 Documentation Officer P1 11 Procurement and Stores Officer P1 12 Travel Officer P1 13 Internal Auditor P1 14 Media Officer P1 I wish to inform you that the position of Deputy Clerk in charge of Legislative Business and Conferences became vacant following the passing of Mr. Joel Mbaiammadji from Chad, on 30 October 2015. Following his passing, the position was declared vacant and a call for candidatures was launched. Candidatures from all the regions were received and the recruitment process is now at its final stage. I also wish to add that the position of the Senior Protocol Officer became vacant following the resignation of Mr. Ahmed El Dieb from Egypt. In order to fast track the recruitment process for the outstanding positions, the Pan- African Parliament has secured funding from GIZ for the hiring of an Institutional Development Consultant to undertake the exercise with the support of the Secretariat. The work has commenced and should be completed before the end of mid July. The Bureau is therefore very appreciative to GIZ and other Development Partners for the continued support being provided to the Pan-African Parliament in strengthening and enhancing the capacity of the Secretariat which is very critical for the effective functioning of the PAP and in the discharge of its mandate and objectives. Given that the funds necessary for the assumption of duties of the newly recruited staff and the departure of those whom they will replace are henceforth available, it is quite natural that at the end of July, we could finalise this last recruitment phase. One more, we thank the African Union for having facilitated this task in this manner. 28.0 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

28.1 Execution of the budget from June 2015 to December 2015 The approved budget for 2016 was US$12,142, 434 (twelve million one hundred and forty two thousand four hundred and thirty four). The


subvention received from the A.U.C. for the second half of 2015 was 5,451,007 (five million four hundred and fifty-five thousand and seven) being a total of US$ 9,155,698 for the year 2015. Expenses from July to December 2015 amounted to US$ 5,758,058 (five million seven hundred and fifty eight thousand and fifty eight), being 47.42% of the budget. The main activities of the second half of 2015 were: the second statutory sittings of Permanent Committees, the Conference of Speakers and Secretaries General of Parliaments held in August 2015, the first Ordinary Session of the Fourth Parliament as well as the parliamentary consultative meeting on the Protocol of the PAP and on the monitoring-evaluation framework of the PAP held in Dakar in December 2015. The implementation of the new structure that has enabled the recruitment of six important professional officers (Officer in charge of Plenary Session Division, that of Administration and Human Resource Division, Senior Officer in charge of Human Resources, a Senior Officer in charge of Communication and Media, another in charge of Protocol and a fourth in charge of Plenary sessions and a sub-Editor of debates) and the Clerk of the Parliament, who assumed duties during this second half of 2015, weighed heavily on the expenses of this period. 28.2. Execution of the budget from January 2016 to May 2016 The approved budget for 2016 is US $ 12,022,230 and as at 31 May 2016, its execution rate was 34%. The execution rate of the budget for 2016 was affected by financial constraints and the current disbursement problems that the AU and other partners are experiencing. The Pan-African Parliament has submitted to the sub-Committee of the PRC a budget proposal of US $ 24 million for approval for the 2017 Financial Year; and the sub-Committee of the PRC has reduced it to US $ 22 million, of which US $ 15.6 million is for operational budget and US$ 6.4 for programme budget. The budget of the PAP represents approximately 3% of the overall budget of the AU. The audit of the financial statements of the Pan-African Parliament undertaken by the External Auditors Board was implemented in April 2016 and the final report and the opinion of the said Board are still being awaited. Your Excellency Madam Chairperson of the A.U. Commission, the Deputy Chairperson of the A.U. Commission, Commissioners of the A.U., Heads of A.U. Organs, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Staff of the A.U. Secretariat, ladies and gentlemen, this is the summary of the activities of the PAP for the period from October 2015 to May 2016. Much has been done but much still remains to be done in light of the fact that the challenges to be met are


not missing. We have prepared ourselves to overcome these challenges and move Africa forward for the attainment of the objectives of Agenda 2063. 29.0 Main Challenges The Pan-African Parliament continues to face many challenges that are hampering its ability to realize its full potential as the continental legislative organ. Your Excellencies, allow me to underscore a few of these challenges 30.0 Acceleration of the Ratification Process of the PAP Protocol It has been observed that the ratification process of the revised Protocol of the Pan-African Parliament has been slow. Since its adoption by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in June 2014, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, the Protocol has been signed, ratified and deposited by only one Member State, Mali. The current consultative role of the Parliament limits the effective execution of its mandate, in particular with regard to the establishment of a legal framework for the implementation of the programmes and policies of the African Union. This is why we are strongly appealing to everyone, in particular the members of the PRC and the Executive Council in order that each of them makes the ratification of the Malabo Protocol his/her problem and act accordingly.

31.0. Insufficient Financial Resources In order for the PAP to successfully implement the Strategic Plan 2014-2017, sufficient financial and technical resources must be mobilized. The mobilization of human and financial resources has experienced an outstanding boost since the arrival of the current managerial team of the PAP, with the imminent finalization of the recruitment process aimed at implementing the new organisational structure approved by the Executive Council. However, the execution of the programmes and activities of the PAP is seriously hampered by the trickling manner of disbursement of our budget. If we can certainly appeal to donors for certain non-core activities, it remains that our main activities, those activities approved by the Union at the time of voting our budget, have as their main source of funding, the Union. Besides, some of these activities cannot be financed by donors in light of their sensitive nature. The financial problem of our continental institution is consequently impacting considerably on our functioning. Nevertheless, we hope that the finalization of the recruitment process will lead to the release of funds for the other activities.


32.0 Host Country Agreement The PAP continues to maintain good relations with the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa who continue to provide their support so that we can discharge our duties. For this, we express our total gratitude to them. However, some issues that feature under the annexure of the Host Country Agreement between the South African Government and the African Union are posing problems because it would have been revised since 2009. This in particular relates to the buildings that are supposed to host the PAP. These would have been constructed and equipped long ago. Unfortunately, the PAP is still sitting at the premises allocated to this effect. Part of the equipment used during sessions is also being rented by the host country, this causes certain inconveniences when certain obligations are not fulfilled by the latter. I will not dwell on the presidential residence which is not available for more than one year and the consequences of this situation on the discharge of his duties and on the perception of the PAP. This is why the latter is resolutely working on the file on the proposals of the revision of the Host Country Agreement requested by the African Union which we would like to thank for this initiative. 33.0 CONCLUSION Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I cannot conclude this activity report without thanking the African Union which has spared no effort in releasing funds that were due to the Pan-African Parliament despite the financial constraints that it is facing. To each and every one, I would like to express my appreciation and my wish that the team that we are forming will score significant victories of which the most emblematic shall be the ratification of the Protocol by the remaining 26 Member States. To all the members of the various strata of our Continental Organization, be they their Excellencies members of the PRC, members of the Executive Council or Heads of State of our Continent, members of the Assembly, I would like to express the infinite appreciation of the Pan-African Parliament. Long live the African Union! Long live Africa!

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