AU member states urged to ratify new PAP protocol

© Dereje Belachew – 123RF.com

The decision to grant legislative powers to PAP was agreed upon following the Adoption of the Revised Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the AU relating to the PAP by the AU Heads of State and Government Assembly held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea in June, 2014.

However, the revised protocol requires ratification by 28 African Union member states before it can become fully operational.

South Africa says the reviewed protocol will enhance the PAP's mandate once it enters into force.

"South Africa undertakes to embark on a national process which will enable us to ratify this protocol and would like to encourage other AU Member States to do the same.

"This is the only way we can accelerate the entry into force of the protocol thereby demonstrating our commitment to transform the PAP," said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane on Monday, 5 October.

She was speaking at the 1st Ordinary Session of the Fourth Pan-African Parliament, in Midrand.

The minister acknowledged that 11 years on, the PAP has not achieved its ultimate goal of becoming the continent's legislative body, although the organ continues to function as a consultative and an advisory body.

Its work, she said, transverses and compliments other AU organs' functions.

"The PAP's oversight role is important in the pursuit of peace and security, promotion of democracy and good governance, as well as fostering economic growth and prosperity in Africa. You are an integral part towards the realisation of a vision of the AU forbearers."

Minister Nkoana-Mashabane also welcomed the recent adoption of the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations.

She believes that the continued implementation of regional and continental mechanisms and protocols should be guided by the commitments of the Post-2015 SDGs, the Beijing Plan of Action, and aspirations espoused in Agenda 2063.