Budget constraints hamper PAP operations

PAN African Parliament (PAP) president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, has expressed concern over budgetary constraints hampering their operations, saying the African Union (AU) legislative organ needs close to US$2 million per year to hold meetings.

Speaking at the official opening of the 3rd Ordinary Session of the 6th Parliament of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, Chief Charumbira said despite the challenges, PAP has since returned to full operational functionality with a quorate Bureau.

He commended PAP for demonstrating confidence in the leadership of this Bureau by voting him and his team back into office, including the readmission of Gabon which had been suspended from the AU following the military coup.

“We are back, but we have destroyed our image and legacy and we need to rebuild it.

“I will be the first to acknowledge, and I am sure you all agree with me that the repeated conflicts within PAP have severely dented the public image and perception of PAP to the extent that one Foreign Minister said ‘PAP is perceived as an institution of hooligans,'” said Chief Charumbira.

“The PAP, as an institution, suffers from collateral damage every time there is a conflict within and among its membership.

“We must, therefore, work together to ensure that such conflicts are a thing of the past and to rebrand and repair the image of PAP.”

Chief Charumbira said the constant suspensions and stoppages have affected their budget execution rate, which is one of the arguments that the AU uses to reduce the budget.

“As members are aware, in line with Article 14(2) of the PAP Protocol as read with Rule 28 of the PAP Rules of Procedure, the PAP convenes two statutory committee meetings in March and August and two plenary sessions per year in May and October/ November,” he said.

“Since the establishment of the PAP, the cost of convening one committee sitting has remained fixed at US$800 000. Therefore, for the two committee sessions per year, the PAP requires US$1,6 million.”

Chief Charumbira said only US$530 000 has been provided for the two committee sittings for 2024.

“This amount is not even enough to convene one committee sitting. Similarly, the cost of convening one plenary session has remained fixed at US$1,3 million, translating to a total of US$2,6 million for the two plenary sessions per year,” he said.

“Again, only US$900 000 has been provided for the two plenary sessions for 2024. Regrettably, this amount is not enough to hold one plenary session.”

Chief Charumbira said PAP is firmly focused on driving the achievement of meaningful results in fulfilling its mandate and functions as espoused in Article 3 of the PAP Protocol.

The objectives of the Pan-African Parliament include facilitating the effective implementation of the policies and objectives of the AU, promoting the principles of human rights and democracy in Africa, and encouraging good governance, transparency, and accountability in member states.

They also include familiarising the peoples of Africa with the objectives and policies aimed at integrating the African Continent within the framework of the establishment of the AU among others.

“As we open our plenary session with committee sittings coming first on the agenda, it is important that honourable members fully comprehend the breadth of the challenges that your Bureau is facing in trying to lobby for adequate resources for PAP which may need committees to refocus and do things differently,” he said.