Tendai Keith Guvamombe
The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Chief Fortune Charumbira, delivered a powerful and critical statement at an Election Observer Training in Pretoria, challenging the fundamental credibility and accepted outcomes of democratic elections across the continent.
His speech, peppered with stark examples of military coups and popular unrest following electoral processes, underscored the urgent need for elections to deliver “permanent acceptance and legitimacy.”
The Paradox of the Vote
Chief Charumbira highlighted a troubling paradox: the same people who elect a leader are often seen celebrating when the military removes that person months later.
He cited the recent experiences in Gabon, Niger, and Mali, where democratically elected leaders—including former PAP members like Gabon’s Vice President Ango and Niger’s President Bazoum—were overthrown, often with public support or indifference.
The Chief questioned the “will of the people,” asking if it is truly reflected in a process that is so easily overturned. He stressed that election results must be so decisive and legitimate that citizens will defend their elected officials against any attempt to remove them, especially by force.
A significant portion of the address was dedicated to re-asserting the Pan-African Parliament’s (PAP) legal mandate in electoral observation and democratic consolidation.
Chief Charumbira emphatically stated that the PAP’s own protocol gives it the clear function to: “promote human and people’s rights, consolidate democratic institutions and the democratic culture, good governance, transparency, and the rule of law.”
He specifically referred to an existing agreement with the African Union (AU) that mandates 40% of every electoral observation mission be composed of Pan-African Parliament members. He lamented that this percentage is often ignored, falling as low as 5% or even 0%.
The Chief argued that election observation is best done by Members of Parliament themselves, as they have been subjected to and understand the electoral process.
The Protocol Challenge and Respect for MPsFinally, Chief Charumbira raised a direct and critical issue concerning the AU-PAP working relationship during observation missions, focusing on a perceived lack of respect for the legislative body by AU officials.
He expressed “unfortunate” situations where junior AU staff appear to command and undermine the authority of seasoned MPs on mission.He stressed that AU staff are a support team for the Parliamentarians, not the reverse.
He challenged the fundamental understanding of hierarchy, stating, “You don’t understand the level of an MP and the level of a director, and you confuse the two.”
The speech served as a powerful call for introspection on the purpose of elections and a forceful demand for the full recognition and operational capacity of the Pan-African Parliament in ensuring true, defended democracy across Africa.
