Barbados Parliament ratifies Partnership Agreement with Afreximbank

African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has applauded the ratification by the Barbadian Parliament of the Partnership Agreement with the Bank. Barbados, one of the nine member states of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that have so far signed the treaty, becomes the first to ratify it. The Partnership Agreement between Afreximbank and the constituent countries of CARICOM…

Read More

Free and compulsory education remains a pipe dream

By Hillary Munedzi The government’s commitment to universal, free and compulsory education remains a pipe dream as 87% of the national budget is channelled towards employment costs, with 14.04% of the education budget falling short of the Dakar Declaration of 20%. The Education for All (EFA) movement is a global commitment to provide quality basic…

Read More

Pan-African Parliament youth dialogue focused on ending hunger and malnutrition

Young parliamentarians have been challenged to take the lead in the formulation of policies and strategies that enhance the full participation of the African youth in political and decision-making processes. The call was made yesterday at the official opening of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Youth Dialogue, hosted by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco,…

Read More

Development cooperation effective in improving youth outcomes: NAYO

The National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO) has said development cooperation connects young people to development financing, including external finance, South-South, and triangular cooperation, climate finance, cooperation among governments, civil society, and the private sector. This emerged at the NAYO Pre-High Level Meeting (HLM3) National Dialogue Held on the 2nd of December 2022 at Holiday…

Read More

Media stakeholders seek ways to tame online violence against women in Zimbabwe

By Tafadzwa Muranganwa The growing cyberbullying and trolling of women online, particularly those in political leadership in Zimbabwe has left media stakeholders fretting about how to tame and make digital space safe for women and girls. This was heard at a ‘National Women’s Rights Symposium on Violence Against Women and Girls’ organised by the Women’s…

Read More

Economic Governance Watch: Payment of Mining Royalties in Kind

By Veritas In early medieval Europe, taxes were often paid in kind, with taxpayers providing labour or other services or handing over goods and produce to the tax collectors.  A thousand years or so later, Zimbabwe adopted the same system for the payment of miners’ royalties. On the 4th of November, the President published a…

Read More

PAP’s Chief Charumbira on AU pre-election Mission to Nigeria

In recognition of the role of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) as an indispensable institution in strengthening Africa’s democratic institutions, democratic culture, good governance, transparency and the rule of law, the President of the Parliament, H. E. Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira has been invited to participate in the African Union (AU) Pre-election Assessment and Special Political Mission to the Federal Republic…

Read More

COP27: Pan African Parliament creates synergies for climate justice with CSOs

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has reiterated its commitment to work with civil society organisations to promote the continent’s climate change agenda and call for climate Justice for the citizens of Africa. This was the message delivered by H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira, President of the PAP, during the Civil Society Event organised under the auspices of…

Read More

Pan African Parliament charts course of action for development

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has seized the first session of the Sixth Parliament as a momentous occasion to chart the course of action for the continent’s development by holding a joint planning workshop. In his keynote address, Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the Aan-African Parliament, at the joint planning meeting for the Sixth Parliament…

Read More

Yasser Arafat’s legacy: Pan African Parliament offers solidarity with Palestine

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has offered solidarity with the people of Palestine as today (11 November), marks 18 years since the first president of Palestine and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasser Arafat passed away after his home was besieged by Israeli occupation military. In an interview with Spiked Online Media, Chief Fortune…

Read More

Pan African Parliament closes session with tangible resolutions

As the curtain came down to a close for the First Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) today, Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira alluded to a number of tangible and implementable resolutions by the continent’s legislative organ. Hon Charumbira told the media at a press conference today in Midrand, South Africa…

Read More

Nestlé injects US$ 100 000 in Africa Food Prize

By Hillary Munedzi Nestlé in conjunction with Africa Food Prize will award US$ 100 000 to individuals and institutions that are pioneering agricultural and transforming food systems in Africa and strengthening the continent’s food security as rich and emerging economies come together under a “climate solidarity pact to keep the 1.5 degrees celsius within reach.”…

Read More

Chihana offside on Zimbabwe’s land reform: Tatenda Mavetera

Malawi’s Mzimba North West parliamentarian Hon Enoch Chihana, who is a member of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) is again off-tangent regarding Zimbabwe’s land reform programme, Hon Dr. Tatenda Mavetera has said. This emerged today in Midrand, South Africa, the seat of the PAP, during a debate on the Model Law on Food Security and…

Read More

Zimbabwe Sanctions: Pan-African Parliament moots tough retaliatory measures against the West

Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is considering implementing tough retaliatory measures against the West as the continental legislative organ moved a motion to lift the illegal embargo imposed on Zimbabwe. The motion was moved yesterday by Honourable Alhadji Mbow of Gambia, leading to robust debate during the fifth sitting of the first Ordinary session of the sixth…

Read More

Obasanjo rallies Pan African Parliament to exercise power as critical AU organ

Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and African Union (AU) High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H. E. Olusegun Obasanji  has called on the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) to reclaim its power and rightful place as the voice of the African citizens at a time when the continent is dealing with numerous challenges, especially…

Read More

Pan African Parliament adopts motion to congratulate Ethiopia, Tigray peace pact

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has adopted a motion congratulating the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front for their maturity in choosing peace instead of war and for ensuring that they accept the African-facilitated solution to the African problem. The motion was moved by Hon. Felix Okot Ogong and seconded by Hon….

Read More

PAP working to strengthen protection of rights of migrants

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is working on legislation to strengthen the protection of the rights of all migrants as an essential element that is at the heart of migration governance. Today, a report on the joint seminar between the Pan-African Parliament (APAP) and the African Union Labour Migration Advisory Committee (AU-LMAC) is being presented…

Read More

PAP, church partnership promotes regional integration and stimulates development

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) recognises the important role that the church plays in addressing conflicts in pursuit of promoting peace and development. Addressing a gathering of thousands of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) members led by Bishop Dr. Nehemiah Mutendi in Rayton, Pretoria in South Africa today, Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the…

Read More

PAP Conference: Women demand set parameters for their empowerment

Despite significant progress in terms of gender equality in Africa, more needs to be done to truly empower the continent’s young women. This was one of the key messages on the second day of the 13th Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Conference on Women’s Rights held in Midrand, South Africa held under the theme: “Women empowerment and…

Read More

PAP engages stakeholders to craft model law on food and nutrition security

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is hosting a Technical Consultative Workshop for Experts on the Draft Model Law on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN). The technical consultative workshop is taking place from 05 to 06 November 2022, in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, the seat of the PAP. “The model law shall govern issues related to…

Read More

Address twin challenges of women oppression and poverty: SA Parly Speaker

Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, Ms. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has called on stakeholders to collaborate to ensure the challenges faced by the continent’s women and girls who have suffered the twin obstacles of oppression and poverty are addressed. She made the remarks today at the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Women’s Conference on women’s rights…

Read More

History in the making: PAP amends Rules of Procedure

History was made when a motion on the amendments to the Pan African Parliament’s (PAP) Rules of Procedure was moved, seconded, and adopted in the First Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) held in Midrand. The long-awaited process effectively addresses loopholes and legal ambiguities contained in the Rules of…

Read More

13th PAP Women’s Conference: NEPAD pledges support for gender mainstreaming

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has pledged to give its support to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) in advocating women’s empowerment and gender equity and equality. In a statement delivered on her behalf by Mrs. Estherine Fotabong, the Director of Programme Innovation and Planning, Madam Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD during the…

Read More

Unconstitutional governments, irregular political transitions under spotlight at PAP High-level Dialogue

The Pan African Parliament (PAP) is today holding a high-level dialogue to deliberate on the rising phenomenon of unconstitutional changes of government and irregular political transitions on the continent. In his keynote address, Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the PAP, said the dialogue is meant to reflect upon, deliberate, exchange ideas, and make…

Read More

Hands on the deck for PAP as Chief Charumbira delivers performance review report

There is a deliberate change in the thrust of the new Bureau of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), from merely activity-based reporting to results-based reporting, Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the African union’s legislative organ has said. The President of the Pan-African Parliament made the remarks while delivering a performance review report of the…

Read More

PAP should strengthen democracy and the rule of law: President Ramaphosa

The Pan-African Parliament has an important mandate of contributing to the strengthening of the culture of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law on the continent, HE Cyril Ramaphosa, the President of South Africa has said. The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services for South Africa, Mr. Ronald Lamola (MP) on behalf of the…

Read More

High-level panel for Official Opening of PAP’s first Ordinary Session of the sixth Parliament

Signifying the high importance of the Pan African Parliament (PAP), high-level dignitaries will grace the official opening of the continental legislative body’s First Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament. Representing H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, Hon. Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services will deliver the keynote address at the official opening ceremony of…

Read More

New PAP members undergo orientation

The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has given orientation to the August House’s new members about the Parliamentary estate, ceremonies, and security to outline the various facilities and services offered by the unit. The new members are Bernadine Nduwimana from Burundi; Hannaa Benkhiar from Morocco; Sarfina Filipe Franco from Mozambique; Mohamed Jama Mursal, Prof…

Read More

Campaigners call on Zimbabwe to adopt landmark disability law

Zimbabwe is on the cusp of becoming the first Southern African country to ratify the African Disability Protocol (ADP) but action is needed to push it across the finish line. This is why today (October 29), Sightsavers’ Equal World Campaign, in partnership with the African Union and the African Disability Forum, is urging governments and…

Read More

Pan African Parliament working on Model Law on Nationality

The Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict is gathering further important information and data in preparation for their presentation of the Model Law on Nationality before the Plenary on 1 November 2022. The sixth parliament of PAP is sitting for its first ordinary session in Midrand South Africa from 24 October…

Read More

All set for PAP Women’s Caucus 13th Conference

The Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Women’s Caucus will, on November 4 and 5 2022, host the 13th Conference on Women’s Rights under the theme “Women empowerment and inclusion in governance.” The Women Caucus has met to discuss the upcoming conference on the sidelines of the continental Parliament’s First Ordinary session of the Sixth Parliament which kicked off…

Read More

Zimbabwe, Malawi exchange notes on curbing child marriages

By Nhau Mangirazi A Zimbabwe delegation was in Malawi this week exchanging notes on curbing child marriages in a move aimed at empowering female politicians and women in general. The tour was held in Zomba, a five-hour drive from Lilongwe where they conducted a transformative feminist leadership learning and exchange visit in Malawi from 23-…

Read More

African Ambassadors affirm commitment to working with the PAP

Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the Pan African Parliament has commended the African Ambassadors based in South Africa for affirming their commitment to working with the continental lawmaking body. In his address during the meeting with the African Ambassadors at the PAP Headquarters in Midrand, Johannesburg today, Hon Charumbira said the collaboration will…

Read More

PAP Southern African Regional Caucus presents recommendations

The Southern African Regional Caucus today presented its recommendations on the amendments of the Pan African Parliament Rules as guided by the Report of the Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline on the Consultative Workshop on the Revision of the Rules of Procedure of the PAP; and Gaps Identified in the Rules of Procedure. After debate…

Read More

PAP joins progressive forces denouncing sanctions against Zimbabwe

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is among the progressive forces denouncing the illegal sanctions imposed on the Republic of Zimbabwe by some western countries. The 25th of October is now known as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Anti-Sanctions Day. In a speech read on his behalf today by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, President Mnangagwa paid…

Read More

PAP needs to clarify the concept of Deliberative Organ

By Dr. Maurice Ezuruike The ongoing review process of the Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) Rules of Procedure presents a unique opportunity to clarify by definition the true interpretation of the concept of “any other deliberative organ” as reflected in Rule 6 of the PAP’s rules of procedure and invoked generally as a synonym to National Parliaments…

Read More

Mobile tax should fund SRHR: Parliamentary Caucus

By Nhau Mangirazi The Women Parliament Caucus (ZWPC) has recommended the mobilization of resources towards the sexual and reproductive health rights affecting women and girls in most marginalized communities. ZWPC chairperson, Hon Goodluck Kwaramba made the presentation last week during a prebudget seminar saying the proportion of the 5 percent mobile airtime levy, introduced in…

Read More

Chief Charumbira sets motion for PAP Review of Rules of Procedure

Hon Chief Fortune Charumbira, the President of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) has set the ball rolling for the continental parliamentary body’s Bureau and Regional Caucuses to come up with a roadmap for the review of the Rules of Procedure. Chief Charumbira revealed this while officially opening the First Ordinary Session of the Sixth Parliament…

Read More

Women’s Parliamentary Caucus urges Mthuli Ncube to help on water issues

By Nhau Mangirazi The Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus has urged finance minister Prof Mthuli Ncube to set aside money to improve water and sanitation in mostly rural and marginalized communities. The parliament caucus chairperson, Hon Goodluck Kwaramba made the presentation last week calling on Prof Ncube to consider setting aside funds that will help improve…

Read More

PAP leadership structures convene on eve of first Ordinary Session of sixth Parliament

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Bureau has jointly met with the Bureaus of the Permanent Committees and Regional Caucuses, Women’s Caucus and Youth Caucus ahead of its first Ordinary Session of the sixth Parliament that will hold from October 24 to November 12 2022, to consider the programme of the session. The Session, which will be…

Read More

Pan African Parliament Bureau holds consultations with focal team of African Ambassadors

The Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) met with selected members of the African Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of South Africa namely Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, Congo Brazzaville, Mali and Zimbabwe. The focal team was set up in September 2022 by the Dean of African Heads of Diplomatic Missions to work closely with the…

Read More

Job Sikhala is my employee: Douglas Mwonzora

Opposition politician Douglas Mwonzora revealed that he visited incarcerated legislator for Zengezi West, Job Sikhala because their relationship transcends politics and professionalism. “I am actually disturbed by social media hullaballoo where uninformed elements tend to question my visit to incarcerated Zengeza West MP, Job Sikhala. First and foremost, Job Sikhala is in Parliament on an…

Read More

Chief Chundu jerks government to address challenge of veld fires

By Nhau Mangirazi Harare – The Zimbabwe government has agreed to take punitive measures to curb veld fires after Chief Chundu raised the issue with information minister Monica Mutsvagwa who promised action to address the major challenge affecting the environment. Chief Abel Mbasera Chundu said this during the Senate sitting under Oral Answers to Questions…

Read More

Deal with GBV perpetrators: Girls Collective

BY Nhau Mangirazi Girls Collective – a civil society coalition fighting for girls’ rights and justice has called on the government to deal with perpetrators of violence against girls. In a statement following the death of Nokutenda Hwaramba (15) who died while giving birth at a shrine in Bikita, the umbrella body says suspects must…

Read More

Go beyond rhetoric in gender mainstreaming: PAP President Charumbira

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira has told global Parliamentarians gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, for the 145th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), to go beyond rhetoric and utilize their budgetary powers to fast-track gender equality and mainstreaming around the world. The leader of the African continental Parliament made the call…

Read More