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Posted by Chester Morton / Wednesday 18 May 2016 / No comments
The composition, aims, and functions of the Pan-African Parliament of the African Union
Introduction
The Pan-African Parliament is an
organ of the African Union. It is provided for by the Treaty establishing the
African Economic Community. Currently, members of the Pan-African parliament
are appointed by National Parliaments though they are supposed to be elected by
universal adult suffrage.
It is hoped that when uniform electoral
laws are established by member states then the election would be used. Each
member-state is entitled to elect five (5) members to the Parliament.
Currently, the Pan-African Parliament
currently exists only in a consultative capacity, however, in the long term;
however, the PAP will constitute the legislative organ of the AU.
COMPOSITION
Each Member State is represented
in the Pan-African Parliament by five (5) members, at least one of whom must be
a woman.
The representation of each Member
State must reflect the diversity of political opinions in each National
Parliament or other deliberative organs.
Election,
The Pan-African Parliamentarians
are elected or designated by the respective National Parliaments or any other
deliberative organs of the Member States, from among their member
Tenure
The term of a Member of the
Pan-African Parliament shall run concurrently with his or her term in the National
Parliament or other deliberative organs.
Vacancies
For the seat of a Member of the
Pan-African Parliament to become vacant he/ she must
(a) have died;
(b) have resigned in writing to
the President
(c) have been unable to perform
his/ her functions for reasons of physical or mental incapacity,
(d) have been removed on grounds
of misconduct,
(e) have ceased to be a Member of
the National Parliament or other deliberative organs;
(f) have been recalled by the
National Parliament.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
Facilitation
It is a function of the
Pan-African Parliament to facilitate the effective implementation of the
policies and objectives of the African Union.
Promotion of Human Rights
Another function of the
Pan-African Parliament is to promote the principles of human rights and democracy
in Africa.
Good Governance
The Pan-African Parliament
functions to encourage good governance, transparency and accountability in
member states.
Education of citizens of member
states
It educates the peoples of Africa
about the objectives and policies of the African Union with the aim of
integrating the African continent within the framework of the establishment of
the African Union.
Promote Peace
Another duty of the Pan-African
Parliament is to promote peace, security and stability within the continent,
especially, among member states.
Future Prosperity
It is the function of the
Pan-African Parliament to contribute to the creation of a more prosperous
future for the peoples of Africa by promoting collective self- reliance and
economic recovery.
Facilitate Development
The Pan-African Parliament facilitates
co-operation and development in Africa.
Continental Solidarity
It strengthens continental
solidarity and builds a sense of common destiny among the peoples of
Africa.
Facilitate Co-operation
It facilitates co-operation among
Regional Economic Communities and their Parliamentary forum.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
Discusses Budget
One of the functions of the
Pan-African Parliament is to discuss the budget of the Union and make recommendations
before approval is given by the Assembly.
Harmonization
One of the functions of the Parliament
is to work towards the harmonization and coordination of the laws of Member
States.
Recommendations
The Parliament also functions to
make recommendations that are aimed at contributing to the attainment of the
objectives of the African Union and draw attention to the challenges facing the integration process in Africa and the strategies for dealing with them.
Attendance of Sessions
The Parliament can request
officials of the AU/AEC to attend its sessions produce documents or assist in
the discharge of its duties.
Promote Programmes
The Parliament has the power to promote
the programmes and objectives of the African Union, in the constituencies of The Member States.
Co-ordination and harmonization
The Parliament promotes the
co-ordination and harmonization of policies, measures, programmes and
activities of the Regional Economic Communities and the Parliamentary forum for
Africa.
Adoption of Rules and Procedure
The Parliament may adopt its
Rules of Procedure elects its own President and propose to the Council and the
Assembly the size and nature of the support staff of the Pan-African
Parliament.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Write an essay of any of the following
a. The Assembly
b. The Executive Council
c. The Pan-African Parliament
2. a. Describe the composition of
the Pan-African parliament.
b. Highlight five objectives of the
Pan-African parliament
3. a. State three objectives of
the Pan-African Parliament.
b. Highlight five functions of
the Pan-African Parliament.
4. Highlight six functions of the
Pan-African Parliament.
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