Parliament's Presiding Officers have extended warm wishes of welcome to returning members of the Pan-African Parliament, which South Africa has hosted since 2004.
The PAP meets today to establish the second legislature and will be sitting until 5 November at its premises in Midrand, Gauteng. The current President of the PAP Dr Idriss Ndele Moussa, Member of Parilament (MP) from Chad, was elected in May this year. The President, together with four Vice-Presidents also elected in May form the Bureau of the PAP, which is the highest management body of the institution.
The Vice Presidents are Bethel Amadi, MP, first Vice-President, from Nigeria, representing the Western African Region; Mary Mugyenyi, MP, Second Vice-President, from Uganda, representing the Eastern African Region; Laroussi Hammi, MP, Third Vice-President, from Algeria, representing the Northern African Region and Joram Gumbo, MP, fourth Vice-President, from Zimbabwe, representing the Southern African Region.
The PAP comprises members who are elected by legislatures in the states that make up the African Union (AU).
The objectives of the continent-wide institution include facilitating effective implementation of AU policies, encouraging good governance, transparency and accountability in member states, promoting principles of human rights and democracy. The aim is for the PAP to evolve into a body with full legislative powers.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
26 October 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
