Online Reporter
George Maponga in MASVINGO
THE African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) have held a high-level meeting in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, ahead of their Joint Consultative Meeting set for next week in South Africa.
The high-level preparatory meeting is a precursor to the joint consultative meeting pencilled for July 17 to 18 at the PAP seat in Midrand, Johannesburg.
The session, held on the sidelines of the AU mid-year coordination meeting, aims to finalise the agenda and align institutional priorities.
This marks the first formal collaboration between the PSC and PAP in over a decade. The upcoming meeting is expected to establish a long-term framework for cooperation between Africa’s key peace and security body and its continental legislature.
PSC Chairperson, Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otongo, described the initiative as crucial to strengthening coordination on peace, security, and governance.
She praised the renewed commitment between the two AU organs. Ambassador Bankole Adewoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, highlighted the relevance of the meeting, noting its focus on pressing issues.
The continent is blighted by challenges such as the Sahel conflict, crises in Sudan and South Sudan.
The need to amplify the role of women and youth in peace-building is also pertinent.
PAP president Chief Fortune Charumbira reaffirmed full commitment to the upcoming meeting.
The PAP president assured that logistical challenges will not be allowed to derail its success.
Chief Charumbira called for the formation of specialised parliamentary committees and enhanced parliamentary diplomacy to address regional conflicts.
