Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has opened its Permanent Committees Sitting in Midrand, South Africa, with lawmakers, civil society and stakeholders rallying behind the African Union Reparations Agenda, among other issues set to be debated this week.
The official opening for the Sitting of PAP Permanent Committees marks a critical juncture for the continent, with lawmakers from across the continent seeking to deliberate on how to shape policy for African development in light of the AU theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”.
Over 20 new legislators from different countries were sworn to mark the beginning of their journey while messaging from the different speakers centered on promoting good governance.
President of the African Court Justice Imani Aboud said, “AU needs viable and sustainable institutions to be able to reach development goals. Only a united Africa can unite the resources we have for the development of our people. We yearn for genuine African integration, the establishment of PAP is to ensure that grassroots are involved, strengthening of PAP will ensure the participation of people of Africa in the economic development, good governance.”
“We are grateful that we have a theme that addresses historic injustices that have to be relooked at so that we develop. We are also grateful to PAP for giving an ear and support to South Africa against imperialism and call for sanctions,” South Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Honourable Thandi Moraka said.
PAP President Chief Fortune Charumbira’s remarks set the tone for decisive deliberations for action in shaping Africa’s reparations strategy.
“The event is here to guide how we operate and how we deliver to the people of Africa. Reparations aren’t just financial, they are about structural change, economic empowerment, and political reform,” he said.
The permanent committees are crucial in asserting Africa’s global call for reparations for damages inflicted by slave trade and colonialism, not limited to finances, but political and social violations.
Meanwhile, the election of the 4th PAP Vice President is expected on Thursday to complete the Bureau establishment.
Though the AU theme “Justice for African and Persons of African descent through Reparations” is central to the sittings, other issues on the cards include peace initiatives on the continent in the wake of instability in Eastern DRC and Sudan.
Committees on agriculture, women and children are also expected to convene deliberations with all contributing to the well-being of the African populace.
