By Tendai Keith Guvamombe (MIDRAND, JOHANNESBURG)
A pivotal joint consultative meeting between the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and the African Union Commission’s Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) concluded successfully in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Friday, July 18th.
Chaired by PAP President, Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira, this historic engagement marks the first of its kind since 2013, ushering in a new era of collaborative efforts to address peace and security challenges across the African continent.
The two-day meeting, which saw the active participation of PAP Members and Ambassadors from the African Union, yielded concrete resolutions aimed at strengthening the continent’s stability.
Both organs, crucial to the African Union’s mandate, engaged in fruitful discussions to enhance institutional synergy and collaboration for sustainable peace and security in Africa.
Chief Fortune Charumbira hailed the successful deliberations, emphasizing the renewed working relationship between the two bodies.
“The engagement marked a new era of working relations between PAP and AUPSC, which are all crucial organs of the African Union,” he stated.
He further added, “We celebrate this worthwhile achievement as we are now working together to the objectives of the AU. PAP is now taking a critical role on issues of Peace and Security in Africa.”
The discussions delved into various critical areas, including inclusive political participation, parliamentary diplomacy in conflict resolution, and the vital role of women and youth in peacebuilding processes.
The outcome underscores a shared commitment to developing a unanimous roadmap for structured engagement and thematic collaboration, aiming to address pressing issues like conflict dynamics in the Sahel, Sudan, and other hotspots.
This landmark meeting signifies a crucial step towards a more unified and effective approach to peace and security on the continent, with both PAP and the AUPSC committing to robust cooperation for a stable and prosperous Africa.
