MIDWEEK REPORTER
MOZAMBIQUE-The Mozambique President, Daniel Chapo, heaped praise on the Pan African Parliament leadership led by Chief Fortune Charumbira for his dedication in revitalizing the continental assembly.
President Chapo welcomed Chief Charumbira in Mozambique during a bilateral visit by the high powered PAP delegation.
Chief Charumbira is on a three-day bilateral visit to the National Assembly of Mozambique which began on Monday and ending today (Thursday).
The meeting took place on the margins of the ongoing official bilateral visit to the National Assembly of Mozambique by the PAP President, Chief Charumbira.
President Chapo praised the PAP President for the efforts made in revitalising the continental legislature and increasing its visibility in addressing sticking issues facing the continent including the war in the Sudan which is threatening to divide the vast nation.
He also paid tribute to PAP for its mediation role in bringing peace in Mozambique following post-election violence that left some people dead.
President Chapo emphasized the necessity of empowering the Pan-African Parliament through enhanced resource allocation and budget support, committing to engage fellow members of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) to garner backing for the continental legislature.
Chief Charumbira took the opportunity to present challenges hindering the Pan-African Parliament’s effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate like budgetary limitations and the urgent need to recognise the PAP’s status as an organ, alongside the principle of separation of powers, to enable the legislative body of the Union to function independently and oversee the executive branch, as outlined in the Union’s founding principles.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to engage all relevant stakeholders to secure a more prominent position for the PAP within the AU structures.
The PAP delegation includes Manuel Domingos Augusto, leader of the Angolan delegation to the PAP, and Pupurai Togarepi (Zimbabwe), Member of the PAP Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline and Chief Whip of the Ruling party in the National Assembly of Zimbabwe. The PAP President is also joined by members of the Mozambique delegation to the PAP headed by Aires Bonifácio Baptista Ali, former Prime Minister of Mozambique.
Chief Charumbira who has been at the helm of PAP since his election in 2022 has been advocating for better recognition of the continental assembly, to be granted organ status and to be as independent as possible in order for it to be more effective in executing its duties.
He also wishes to see the PAP being able to pass binding legislation and be at the forefront of peace building across the continent’s hotspots like the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sahel Region and Sudan.
