[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Africa: Parliamentary Potential

[Al Kagan]

Here is something with potential to be interesting.

>
>Africa: Parliamentary Potential
>
>AfricaFocus Bulletin
>Mar 28, 2004 (040328)
>(Reposted from sources cited below)
>
>Editor's Note
>
>The new Pan-African Parliament officially launched this month will
>have only advisory and consultative rather than legislative powers
>in its first five-year term. Its members are appointed by national
>parliaments rather than directly elected. But its rapid creation is
>already raising hopes that it may serve as a new public forum for
>airing critical African issues, including equality for women.
>Tanzania's Gertrude Mongella was elected by secret ballot as the
>president of the new body.
>
>This AfricaFocus Bulletin includes a press release and short news
>report on the inaugural session, and a statement from African NGO
>networks calling for the parliament to take an "activist" role.
>
>For additional commentary, background information, and links on the
>African Union and the Pan-African Parliament, see the special issue
>of Pambazuka News for March 18, 2004 at
>http://www.pambazuka.org/index.php?issue=148 The African Union
>website at http://www.africa-union.org has the text of the protocol
>defining the parliamentary body, as well as a call for public
>response to strategic documents outlining the Union's direction
>over the coming years.
>     
>++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++++++++
>
>African Union
>
>http://www.africa-union.org
>
>Press Release No.019/2004
>
>Inaugural and the First Session of the Panafrican Parliament
>
>Addis Ababa, March 19, 2004
>
>The African Union, on Thursday, March 18, 2004, took another giant
>stride by inaugurating the Pan-African Parliament, one of its most
>important organs. The Pan-African Parliament, within the initial
>period, shall have consultative and advisory powers only, with the
>aim of ultimately evolving into an institution with full
>legislative powers.
>
>Two hundred and two (202) legislators from 41 of the 53 Member
>States of the African Union, were yesterday sworn in at a solemn
>ceremony presided over by the Chairperson of the African Union,
>H.E. Mr. Joachim Chissano, President of the Republic of Mozambique
>and witnessed by the President of the Federal Democratic Republic
>of Ethiopia, Mr. Girma Wolde Giorgis; the Prime Minister of the
>Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Mr. Meles Zenawi and Prof.
>Alpha Oumar KonarÈ, Chairperson of the Commission of the African
>Union. The Pan-African Parliament elected the Hon. MP Mrs. Getrude
>Mongela from the United Republic of Tanzania as President who will
>spearhead the affairs of the Pan-African Parliament for the next
>five years.
>
>The following were elected Vice-Presidents:
>
>* Prof F. Jose Dias Van-Dunem, an Angolan, 1st Vice-President
>(South);
>* Dr. Mohammed Lutfi Farahat, a Libyan, 2nd Vice-President (North);
>* Mrs. Loum N. Ne'loumsei Elise, a Chadian, 3rd Vice-President
>(Central);
>* Mr. Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, a Beninois, 4th Vice-President
>(West).
>
>According to Prof. KonarÈ, the Pan-African Parliament has a "vital
>role to play in the implementation of the objectives and principles
>enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the Union, particularly, with
>regard to the protection of human rights consolidation of
>democratic institutions, popularization and promotion of good
>governance".
>
>*************************************************************
>
>African Union Puts Women First Once Again
>
>http://allAfrica.com [reposted with permission]
>
>March 18, 2004
>
>By AllAfrica Special Correspondent, Addis Ababa
>
>Africa's first pan-continental parliament was inaugurated in Addis
>Ababa today, and immediately took a bold step, amid stirring and
>emotional scenes that may give a clue to the future tone and
>approach of the new body.
>
>The MPs' first act, after being sworn in, was to elect a woman as
>president of their parliament. Tanzania's Gertrude Mongella  is a
>veteran CCM [Chama cha Mapinduzi - Tanzanian ruling party]
>politician, ambassador and educationist who in her 34-year career
>has strongly supported the advancement of women.
>                                                  
>The move reinforces the strong image of the African Union as
>determined to advance gender equality. Half the members of the
>10-person African Union Commission are women.
>
>The legal steps towards creating the PanAfrican parliament were
>taken at the AU summit in Maputo, Mozambique in July 2003.
>
>By late February this year, 38 member states had ratified the
>protocol and most of those had submitted the list of their five
>members of parliament. At least one of the five had to be a woman
>but several delegations chose two or more women, a fact which drew
>approving comment from Mozambique's president Chissano, chairing
>the inaugural session.
>
>The nomination of Ms Mongella first came from the Nigerian
>delegation leader who made a powerful speech in her favour,
>demanding to know, at one point, whether there was any point in any
>other candidate being put forward; seconded by Sierra Leone, his
>address drew loud applause and shouts of support from the
>surrounding delegations.
>
>The Ghanaian delegation came next, to say that they had intended to
>put their candidate up for the parliament's presidency but that
>"imbued with the spirit of unity, solidarity and sharing" they had
>decided to withdraw in favour of Ms Mongella.
>
>Delegates cheered even more loudly, apparently believing that her
>election was in the bag.
>
>But then the Sudanese delegation took the floor. They described the
>history and qualifications of their favoured candidate, Angelo Beda
>- deputy speaker of Sudan's parliament - at length, stressing his
>suitability for the task. The disappointment in the hall was almost
>palpable.
>
>But then, said the speaker, "when we decided to propose him we
>thought that we were proposing a man of caliber. Now we have
>noticed that this august hall wants a lady" I would like to tell
>the august hall that for the last two days we had vigorous
>negotiation with our colleagues from Tanzania when we never agreed
>to withdraw; but we are now withdrawing on the will of the house."
>
>The concession brought the house down and there were several
>minutes of banging, cheering and clapping as - mostly - women
>streamed out of their seats, weaving among the desks towards
>Gertrude Mongella and the Tanzanians for victory hugs and impromptu
>dancing, stopping en route to shake the hands of the Ghanaians and
>Sudanese who had so handsomely climbed down.
>
>A tiresome hour of technicalities followed as delegates argued
>about whether they could elect Mongella, now the sole candidate, by
>acclamation or whether they had to hold a secret ballot. In the
>end, Chissano and the lawyers won out against those who wanted to
>buck the rules and display complete unanimity; a lengthy ballot was
>held in which members scrutinized every vote cast.
>
>The result? Twenty-one against, 13 abstaining but a stunning 166
>votes for Mongella, an outcome that somehow managed simultaneously
>to vindicate both Chissano's view that those voting against must be
>allowed to be register their view, and those who had argued that
>her supporters were so numerous that the ballot wasn't needed.
>
>Mongella, dressed in sober blue but clearly delighted, took the
>oath in a clear, deep voice at the podium and then gracefully
>received the gavel from a Chissano apparently relieved to be
>handing over the cares of office to the proper official.
>
>In a graceful speech she stressed her commitment to women's
>equality but praised the men for having done most of the changing
>needed to reach today's vote. Then promising to be guided by the
>principles of partnership between men and women, and peace, she
>firmly sent everyone off to lunch.
>
>*************************************************************
>
>African and International CSOs Call for an "Activist" Pan African
>Parliament
>
>Press Release On The Inauguration Of The African Parliament, Addis
>Ababa
>
>Press Release
>
>18th March 2004
>
>Action Not Talk: African and International NGOs and networks
>challenge the new Pan African Parliament
>
>Eleven international and African organisations and networks called
>on the new Pan-African Parliament to set an ambitious agenda as it
>was inaugurated today in Addis Ababa. The organisations including
>the African Women's Empowerment Network, Eastern African
>Sub-regional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women,
>FEMNET, PADEAP, Pan African Movement, Fahamu learning for Change,
>Fahamu SA Trust, MWENGO, Justice Africa and Oxfam GB called on the
>new Parliament to embrace improving governance, giving citizens a
>voice and improving the human rights environment in Africa as a key
>priorities.
>
>For most poor people and especially women in Africa, parliaments
>are far removed from the day-to-day realities and challenges they
>face. The Pan African parliament is far from being representative
>(one MP for every 2.6 million people) therefore the 256
>parliamentarians must go beyond being a talk shop to advance the
>issues that face millions of poor Africans.
>
>The organisations called for Parliamentarians to champion in their
>respective countries, the ratification of the Protocol to the
>African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women
>in Africa, before the Heads of States Summit in July 2004.
>
>Elizabeth Kharono of EASSI in Kampala
>
>"We immediately place the challenge of reducing gender inequality
>in the orientation packs of the 256 Pan African Parliamentarians.
>We will judge the first year of the parliament not on whether it
>articulates its standing orders well, but on the number of
>ratifications it delivers on the AU Protocol for Women's rights"
>
>Lastly, the Parliament must become a key forum for pushing for
>better global terms for Africa around debt, trade and aid.
>Parliamentarians must keep Africa's demands at the forefront of
>global talks within the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank
>and International Monetary Fund.
>
>Elizabeth Eilor of the pan African AWEPON Network based in Kampala
>
>"Parliamentarians should lead in articulating Africa demands for
>total and unconditional debt cancellation and making trade fairer
>- by stopping export dumping and saying no to the WTO new issues.
>This would help Africa lift itself out of poverty. They can also
>speak out against multinationals who are using and abusing our
>continent's rich resources and ensure that investment works for,
>rather than against the poor".
>
>Recognising that in many countries, the public is shut out of the
>political debate, the organisations called for the African
>parliament to open up the space for African citizens and
>organisations to have a voice within the AU and it's member
>governments.
>
>Rose Gawaya of Oxfam GB in Pretoria adds, "The credibility of the
>Pan African Parliament needs to go beyond what they represent but
>on what they do, the causes they champion and the positive changes
>they bring to the lives of ordinary people across Africa. By doing
>this, the Pan African Parliament can deepen its credibility and
>relevance to African peoples struggling with poverty and injustice
>across the continent."
>
>ENDS
>
>For further information or to set up interviews please contact in
>Addis:
>
>Rose Gawaya Southern Africa Regional Advisor, Oxfam GB Tel:
>+27-828547764 (roaming) in Addis
>Sam Barratt in Addis Ababa on + 251 9 402480
>And in Kampala Elizabeth Kharono EASSI Tel: +256-77-651 673
>
>- - - - -
>
>Statement by International and African CSOs on the day of the
>inauguration of the Pan African Parliament
>
>Africa needs an "Activist" Pan African Parliament
>
>The inauguration of African Parliament occurs exactly ten years
>after the Rwandese genocide, the first democratic elections in
>South Africa and the Beijing 4th World Conference on Women. As
>these events and experiences a decade ago continue to shape the
>past and future of Africa, they frame the challenge before the
>African parliament. This has to be an Activist Parliament. The
>current conditions in Africa demand no less.
>
>Since 1994, we have not seen significant gains for poor and
>marginalized groups in Africa. Parts of the continent have been
>characterized by a crisis in governance reflected in conflicts
>leading to massive displacement and abuse of the rights people,
>especially women and children, and deepening poverty. Yet, there
>has been progress. With wars coming to an end in Sierra Leone,
>Angola, Liberia, Congo and Sudan, the situation in 1994 where a
>fifth of all Africans lived in situations of conflict is coming to
>an end.
>
>Champion ratification of the AU Protocol on Women's Rights
>
>In its first term, the parliament must prioritise the realisation
>of human rights, improved quality of governance and the right of
>citizens to be heard and participate in affairs that affect their
>lives. Key to realising higher standards of rights is the Protocol
>to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights
>of Women in Africa. We urge all Pan African Parliamentarians to
>champion the immediate ratification of the Protocol to the African
>Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in
>Africa, before the Heads of States Summit in July 2004.
>
>We immediately place the challenge of gender inequality, poverty
>and development in the orientation packs of the 256 Pan African
>Parliamentarians. We will judge the first year of the parliament
>not on whether it articulates its standing orders well, but on the
>number of ratifications it delivers on the AU Protocol for Women's
>rights
>
>Expand the space for citizens to be heard and participate in AU
>public affairs
>
>We also call on parliamentarians to support access of African
>citizens and organisations to the various specialised agencies of
>the AU and member Governments. Non-state actors, especially civil
>society organizations, represent the voices of the voiceless
>sections of society, they are key development agents; they are
>watchdogs for respect of human rights; they contribute
>significantly to shaping national and international policies and
>project implementation.
>
>Articulate and develop Africa's global policy demands and
>negotiations
>
>Lastly, we urge Africa to celebrate this inauguration but
>immediately place on the Parliament's agenda, the challenge of
>negotiating better global terms for Africa around debt, trade and
>aid. Parliamentarians must keep Africa's demands at the forefront
>of multi-lateral policy processes within the World Trade
>Organisation, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
>
>Parliamentarians should become active in articulating Africa's
>existing positions on the need for total and unconditional debt
>cancellation, rejection of the WTO new issues and the elimination
>of northern subsidies and export credits that are currently
>devastating our economic potential. In so doing, they can
>meaningfully help the continent to reclaim and retain the policy
>space for regulation and monitoring of movement of capital
>investments and trans-national corporations on the continent.
>
>The credibility of the Pan African Parliament cannot rest on their
>representational quality but on the issues they espouse, the causes
>they champion and the positive changes they bring to the lives of
>ordinary people across Africa. By doing this, the Pan African
>Parliament can deepen its credibility and relevance to African
>peoples struggling with poverty and injustice across the continent.
>
>Signed by Eleven international, regional and continental
>organisations and networks are headquartered in Uganda, Zimbabwe,
>South Africa, Kenya and the UK and work on human rights, debt, aid
>and trade.
>
>African Women's Empowerment Network
>Eastern African Sub-regional Support Initiative for the Advancement
>of Women
>African Womens Development and Communication Network- FEMNET
>Fahamu learning for Change
>Fahamu SA Trust
>Pan African Development and Advocacy Programme PADEAP
>Pan African Movement
>MWENGO
>Justice Africa
>Oxfam GB
>
>ENDS
>
>- - - - - - - - -
>
>BACKGROUND MEDIA ADVISORY ON THE PAN AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
>
>Summary of the statutes establishing the Pan African parliament
>
>The preamble to the treaty establishing the Pan African Parliament
>states as a vision "a common platform for African peoples and their
>grassroots organisations to be more involved in discussions and
>decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the
>continent". Article 11 enables the Parliament to provide oversight
>for the budget of the AU, harmonisation of policies towards
>regional integration and make recommendations that promote human
>rights, democratic institutions and good governance among other
>functions. During the first term of its existence the Parliament
>shall "exercise advisory and consultative powers only [article
>11]". Article 4 provides for five legislators at least one being a
>woman to be appointed from national parliaments and deliberative
>organs. If all countries ratify the Parliament, Africa can expect
>265 legislators, Speaker and Deputy Speaker to be sworn in on March
>18th 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
>
>The African Union has made remarkable progress over 2003
>
>The African Union 2003 Heads of Summit Conference in Maputo was
>remarkable in three respects. Firstly, it adopted a progressive
>Protocol to the African Charter of Peoples and Human Rights on the
>Rights of Women that enshrines a commitment to integrating a gender
>perspective in the public affairs of states. Secondly, the Union
>elected its Commissioners on a 50:50 gender parity basis. Lastly,
>the election of former Malian President Alpha Konare has
>revitalised the leadership of the Union.
>
>Between 2004 and 2007, the Union shall evolve mechanisms that will
>regulate public participation (ECOSOC), legislative oversight (the
>African Parliament), human rights and legal enforcement (African
>Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, African Court on Human and
>People's Rights and The African Court of Justice) and regional
>economic integration (Central Bank, Customs Union). As the
>institutions increase their capacity to regulate and shape Africa's
>political and economic development, continental integration -
>economically, politically, socially, will increasingly becoming a
>critical factor to overcoming poverty and enhancing governance in
>Africa.
>
>From a human rights lens, it is possible to begin conceptualising
>the African Union and its specialised mechanisms along the lines of
>state obligations namely; to respect, protect and fulfil political,
>economic and social rights. The Charter and indeed, the Women's
>rights protocol become not "side" policies but the very framework
>that the success of the African Union and NEPAD will be judged.
>
>This progress is threatened by a hostile international policy
>context
>
>Yet the revitalisation of state Pan-Africanism occurs in a rapidly
>changing international policy context. In 2001, international
>opinion on Africa appeared to have taken a radical departure from
>the early nineties where African leaders claimed that Africa had
>been forgotten after the cold war. This spirit reflected in the
>centrality of Africa for the 2001 and 2002 G8 summits and the
>influential but short-lived enthusiasm around the UN Financing for
>Development consultations.
>
>In 2003, the hope of new approaches to old problems of inequitable
>trade relations and inadequate aid flows appears to have been
>severely punctured by a return to aid scepticism, a pervasive
>anti-terrorist lens and the subsequent undermining of
>multi-lateralism. In this context, unreconstructed multi-lateral
>agencies such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and
>International Monetary Fund as well as the British, French and
>American Governments seem set to continue crowding out national
>sovereignty and dominating the policy discourse on and in Africa
>for the next three years.
>
>Challenge for public accountability ahead - the Pan African
>parliament
>
>At a rough estimate, there are over 9,210 national parliamentarians
>among Africa's population of 700 million people. That is, one
>legislator for every 76,000 people. For most poor people in Africa,
>parliaments and legislative bodies seem disconnected from the
>day-to-day realities and challenges they face. If the crisis of
>relevance seems stark in some national contexts, than at regional
>levels the challenge for parliamentarians is multiplied.265
>legislators elected indirectly in a continent of 700 million people
>(one MP for every 2.6 million people) does not embody a high
>capacity for representative democracy, much less "a platform for
>African peoples and their grassroots organisations".
>
>Until members are elected by universal adult suffrage the
>credibility of the Pan African Parliament cannot rest on their
>representational quality but on the issues they espouse, the causes
>they champion and the changes they bring to the lives of ordinary
>people across Africa.
>
>*************************************************************
>AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication
>providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with
>a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus
>Bulletin is edited by William Minter.
>
>AfricaFocus Bulletin can be reached at africafocus at igc.org. Please
>write to this address to subscribe or unsubscribe to the bulletin,
>or to suggest material for inclusion. For more information about
>reposted material, please contact directly the original source
>mentioned. For a full archive and other resources, see
>http://www.africafocus.org
>
>************************************************************


-- 


Al Kagan
African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration
Africana Unit, Room 328
University of Illinois Library
1408 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801, USA

tel. 217-333-6519
fax. 217-333-2214
e-mail. akagan at uiuc.edu