A continental Parliament for the African Union (AU) was inaugurated at a ceremony in Addis Ababa on Thursday with the swearing-in of 180 members representing the 36 countries that have signed the protocol establishing the assembly.
”The Parliament is now officially open. You have a vital role to play, honourable parliamentarians, in the implementation of the objectives and principles enshrined in the constituting acts of the union,” AU Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare said at the inauguration ceremony.
”We shall work hand-in-hand and together craft a credible political roadmap… rooted in good governance,” he added.
One of Tanzania’s five representatives, Gertrude Mongella, was elected president of the pan-African Parliament. The former diplomat was the only candidate for the post.
The inauguration was attended by AU chairperson, Mozambique’s President Joaquim Chissano, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, among other dignitaries.
”Oh mother Africa, you are in no way small among nations because your womb produced heroes who dared dream the dream of generations of Africans. From your womb were born giants who will wipe your tears, which many a time fell on seeing your children fall in the gloomy circle of misery and suffering,” Chissano said.
Said Meles: ”The pan-African Parliament is intended to avail a common platform for our peoples to be involved in the deliberation and decision-making on the immense challenges facing Africa.”
Once other states sign up to the protocol, each of AU’s 53 member states is expected to send five representatives to the pan-African Parliament.
”You have a crucial role to play in promoting and consolidating solidarity among all the people of Africa and in enhancing peace, security, stability and development in our continent,” Konare told members during the inaugural session.
He urged them to champion the course of human rights protection and consolidate democratic institutions.
”We Africans have to come together to change the face of Africa,” added Konare during the colourful launch, which included a showcase of African music and dance.
A coalition of 11 African and international non-governmental organisations, meanwhile, urged the newly inaugurated Parliament to fight to improve global terms of trade and aid.
”The new Parliament must become a key forum for pushing for better global terms for Africa on its trade and aid. Parliamentarians must keep Africa’s demand at the forefront of global talks within the World Trade Organisation, World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund),” said a statement issued by Oxfam.
”By taking oath before all of us, and Africa, you have solemnly committed yourselves to embrace the sole ideal of serving Africa, contributing with all your energy to build the African Union, a union that stands for unity and cohesion of its members,” said Chissano.
In Nairobi, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka said the creation of the pan-African parliament was a step towards realising ”the African dream of having the United States of Africa”.
It has not yet been decided which of AU’s member states will host the Parliament, but Egypt and South Africa are vying to be the seats of the assembly. Libya dropped its bid earlier this week.
The AU in 2002 succeeded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was heavily criticised during its 39 years of existence for being powerless in resolving Africa’s myriad conflicts.
The new incarnation is loosely modelled on the European Union and is very keen to portray itself as much more robust and muscular than the OAU.
The organisation intends to create a Peace and Security Council authorised to send in peacekeeping troops drawn from African armies in cases of conflict on the continent. A human rights court is also envisaged. – Sapa-AFP