By Mohammed Hadebbe(Johannesburg)
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has entered a dynamic new chapter in 2025 under the leadership of its President, His Excellency Senator Chief Fortune Zephaniah Charumbira. Since the beginning of the year, the continental legislative body has demonstrated a renewed sense of purpose and intensified activity, tackling critical issues facing the African continent with vigor and strategic foresight.
A significant thrust of PAP’s work in 2025 aligns directly with the African Union’s (AU) theme for the year: Justice and Reparations for Africans and People of African Descent.
Under Chief Charumbira’s guidance, the Parliament has amplified its advocacy for reparative justice, engaging in discussions and exploring legislative avenues to address historical injustices.
This focus underscores PAP’s commitment to acknowledging the past and building a more equitable future for all Africans.Beyond this overarching theme, PAP has been diligently strengthening its internal mechanisms and operational efficiency. Numerous committee sittings have been convened, providing platforms for robust discussions on key issues impacting the continent.
These sessions have been instrumental in finalizing work plans and embedding a more results-based approach across the Parliament’s various portfolios. This emphasis on tangible outcomes reflects a commitment to ensuring that PAP’s deliberations translate into meaningful action on the ground.
Looking towards the future, PAP has embarked on a crucial strategic planning process for the period 2025-2028.
This ambitious undertaking is centered on three key pillars: strengthening the Parliament’s internal capacity, fostering a people-centered approach to its work, and ensuring seamless alignment with the AU’s overarching development framework, Agenda 2063.
This strategic roadmap signals PAP’s commitment to long-term impact and its determination to evolve into a more effective and responsive legislative body.To further these objectives, PAP has actively hosted a series of workshops and meetings focused on critical areas. Discussions on reparative justice have been prominent, alongside deliberations on governance reform – a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Furthermore, dedicated sessions have been held to unpack and strategize the implementation of the newly formulated 2025-2028 strategic plan, ensuring that its objectives are clearly understood and effectively pursued.Recognizing the challenges of the past, the leadership of President Chief Charumbira has also prioritized the restoration of PAP’s image.
Through increased transparency, focused action, and a commitment to addressing Africa’s pressing issues with tangible results, the Parliament aims to emerge as a stronger, more credible, and influential legislative body on the continental stage.
The flurry of activity and strategic direction under Chief Charumbira’s stewardship signals a promising trajectory for the Pan-African Parliament in its pursuit of a united, prosperous, and just Africa.
