At the start of the first sitting of the Pan African Parliament in Midrand on Tuesday the lack of finance for the continental body was again a major theme.
In her opening speech, Gertrude Mongella, president of the Parliament, said the body was sending a delegation to the African Union sitting next week to discuss the supplementary budget for the Parliament.
In its third year of existence the Parliament still relied heavily on donors such as Germany, the United Nations and South Africa for its operation.
However, Mongella said the Parliament would continue with its work.
In the sitting this week, the African parliamentarians were expected to focus on rationalisation of regional economic communities.
Peace and security in the Great Lakes region, Darfur, Côte d’IvoireCôte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad would also come under the spotlight.
At Tuesday’s sitting several new parliamentarians from Egypt, Somalia, Mauritius and other African countries were sworn in. – Sapa