SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT, HON ADVOCATE J.F.N MUDENDA LEADS A DELEGATION TO THE 12TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS OF AFRICAN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PARLIAMENTS IN MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA
18TH SEPTEMBER 2024, MIDRAND, SOUTH AFRICA
Hon. Adv. Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, Speaker of Parliament, and Hon. Lt General (Rtd) Michael Reuben Nyambuya, Deputy President of the Senate, are currently in Midrand, South Africa, attending the 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments under the auspices of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP). The conference, scheduled from 18th to 20th September 2024, is being held under the African Union (AU) theme for the year 2024, which is “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa”.
The 12th Annual Conference, which is also the second in the current Sixth (6th) Parliament of the Pan African Parliament, provides a critical opportunity for the Heads of Parliament to deliberate on how the PAP and National Parliaments can effectively collaborate in driving the aspirations of the African Union. Key in the agenda is the ratification and domestication of key AU treaties and agreements which is a primary responsibility of Parliaments, as well as review of progress made in attaining targets set in Agenda 2063 and how national Parliaments can contribute to the attainment of the continental development blueprint.
The conference was officially opened by Hon. Col. (Rtd) Kembo Campbell Dugish Mohadi, Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. In his keynote address, delivered on behalf of His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Hon. Mohadi expressed gratitude for the support rendered to Zimbabwe as it successfully hosted the 44th SADC Summit for Heads of State and Government. He underscored the importance of the summit, which ratified the transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a regional Parliament, emphasizing the need to ensure that the third arm in the governance matrix is appropriately recognized. Hon. Mohadi stressed Zimbabwe’s commitment to ensuring that resolutions made at the Summit and related fora are fully implemented. Zeroing in on the theme, the VP made a clarion call to action towards empowering every African through capacity building based on access to relevant knowledge. He emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift in Africa’s education systems to expedite the holistic development of Africa, underpinned by research, innovation, science, and technology. He appreciated the role of the Parliament, and the PAP in particular, in the realization of the broad African goals and objectives.
In his welcome remarks, H.E. Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira, President of the Pan African Parliament, underscored the PAP’s return to full operational functionality after the leadership crisis which rocked the institution from August 2023 to March 2024. He averred that the PAP’s single-minded focus was on ensuring that the hopes, ideals and aspirations of the people of Africa are heeded in decision making processes in the African Union.
Delivering his solidarity message, the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, H.E Ambassador Andre Nzapayeke, expressed support for the Pan-African Parliament, commending African Countries for progress in democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in integration, peace, and security. He emphasized the importance of the PAP in promoting unity, cooperation, and Pan-African ideals, urging national parliaments and the PAP to address the continent’s pressing issues. The Dean also highlighted the need for continued support and commitment from member states to ensure the PAP’s effectiveness in achieving its goals.
The 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments, which is being co-sponsored by the Pan African Parliament and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat is being graced by Hon. Speakers from over 25 AU Member States, Speakers of Regional Parliaments, Heads of African Union Organs and Agencies and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
