Pan African legislators have convened in Midland, South Africa to deliberate on a number of issues including press freedom, combating corruption and action on albinism in Africa.
Meeting under the theme, ‘Winning the Fight against Corruption, a Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation’ that is running from May 7-18 2018, the MPs will also elect both President and Vice-Presidents who will serve as Speaker and Deputy Speakers picked from four regions of Africa.
Under speakership Roger Nkodo Dang, legislators will hold Parliamentary committee leaderships, regional caucuses, women’s caucus and youth caucus on a three-year term in office.
At the opening of this session, PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang implored member states to ratify Malabo Protocol, which he said would be a stamp of faith in the African Union’s vision for the continent.
“The attendance of 53 states out of 55 Members of the AU augurs well for the African parliament. I am however, concerned that member states don’t want to ratify the Malabo protocol,” he said. He added that he was hopeful that solutions would be found for the PAP to exercise full legislative authority.
It was envisaged from the onset that PAP should evolve into an institution with full legislative powers, whose members are elected by universal adult suffrage. The PAP needs 28 ratifications by member states to give it full legislative powers, presently, the PAP exercises consultative and advisory powers since it was established in 2004. Its Members are elected or designated from the legislative organs of their respective Member States.
Uganda’s representatives to PAP include Jacqueline Amongin (NRM, Ngora), also leader of the delegation; Prof. Morris Ogenga-Latigo (FDC, Agago North); Anifa Bangirana Kawooya (NRM, Sembabule); Felix Okot Ogong (NRM, Dokolo South) and Babirye Kadogo (Ind. Buyende).
