By Tendai Guvamombe
RABAT, MOROCCO – Pan African Parliament (PAP) President, H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, delivered a compelling address at the official opening of the South-South Parliamentary Dialogue Forum in Rabat, Morocco, urging parliaments to take a more proactive role in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting the Global South.
In his remarks on April 29, 2025, President Charumbira emphasized that as representatives of the people, parliamentarians hold a crucial responsibility in fostering integration, peace, security, and shared development.
President Charumbira expressed gratitude to Hon. Mohamed Ould Errachid, President of the House of Councillors of the Kingdom of Morocco and President of ASSECAA, for hosting the vital dialogue themed “Interregional and intercontinental dialogues in the countries of the South: an essential lever for meeting the new challenges of international cooperation and achieving peace, security, stability and shared development.”
He highlighted the PAP’s role as the carrier of the African people’s voice within the African Union’s decision-making processes, asserting that the inclusion of elected representatives from the Global South is indispensable in such forums.
Drawing attention to the numerous unresolved challenges plaguing the Global South, including food insecurity, conflicts, terrorism, refugee crises, energy insecurity, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, illicit financial flows, inconsistent legislative frameworks, drug abuse, human trafficking, and restrictions on the movement of people and goods, President Charumbira stressed the urgent need for parliamentary intervention.
He questioned whether parliaments truly understand their role in resolving these issues and contributing to the overarching themes of integration, shared development, peace, and security.
President Charumbira called upon Senates, as “bastions of wisdom,” to actively advise and question the executive on critical matters. He challenged parliaments to create conducive legislative environments for economic integration within the Global South, urging them to proactively identify and rectify legal impediments to trade and ease of doing business.Furthermore, President Charumbira expressed concern over the escalating conflicts on the African continent and the ongoing humanitarian crises, questioning the effectiveness of current intervention measures.
He championed the use of parliamentary diplomacy as a vital tool for conflict mitigation, urging Senate Presidents and parliamentarians to actively engage in formal and informal efforts to promote peace and stability.
Addressing the pervasive issue of corruption, President Charumbira lamented its role in fueling conflict and undermining state legitimacy. He called for parliaments to reclaim their oversight and accountability functions, questioning the proliferation of independent anti-corruption bodies as an indication of parliamentary shortcomings. He urged a self-introspection and a renewed commitment to tackling corruption.
Finally, President Charumbira underscored the imperative for parliaments to facilitate the Artificial Intelligence revolution and ensure equitable access to technology for all citizens, preventing further marginalization. He called for proactive legislative measures to spur technological advancements across the Global South. His remarks concluded with a reflection on the significance of the Morocco dialogue in advancing continental integration, emphasizing the substantial work that lies ahead for Africa.
