Online Reporter
George Maponga in MIDRAND, South Africa
PAN African Parliament (PAP) president Chief Fortune Charumbira says it is high time Africa stops allowing outsiders to shape the continent’s future.
In his opening remarks at the official opening of the 5th Ordinary Session of the 6th parliament of the PAP in Midrand, Johannesburg this morning, Chief Charumbira called for a new epoch where African problems are solved by African solutions.
The PAP president called for unity and action in Africa, decrying the propensity for rhetoric instead of concrete action.
“Too often our unity is spoken and not shown. Our resolutions are passed but not implemented,” he lamented.
“We face common challenges: poverty, conflict, climate change, youth unemployment, unconstitutional change of governments, yet we respond in fragments-divided by language, politics and region, while those who exploit our divisions continue to thrive.”
Chief Charumbira exhorted PAP legislators to stop using the continental legislature as a platform for speeches only, but a stage for concrete and collective action to solve Africa’s ills.
“This parliament(PAP) must rise above national interests and speak with one continental voice. We must push our governments to ratify AU treaties to respect democracy and constitutional order.”
He amplified calls for consummation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to undergird transformative economic development in the world’s poorest continent.
Calling for visa-free movement of Africans on the continent, Chief Charumbira implored South Africa, as the host of the PAP seat, to lift visa requirements for the continental legislators to enter the country.
Several organisations delivered solidary messages at the official opening, locating PAP as a critical voice in calling for a better and more prosperous Africa.
