Final Communiqué of the meeting in consultation with the Speakers and Representatives of African National Parliaments, members of the Pan-African Parliament

Consultation meeting

Final Communiqué

We, the members of the Pan-African Parliament, meeting in consultation with the Speakers and Representatives of African National Parliaments, members of the Pan-African Parliament, in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on Thursday, 08 July 2021, concerned with "the promotion and preservation of African democracy and all united for a legitimate, effective and credible Pan-African Parliament";

Acting in conscience, freedom and determination for the emergence of a genuine African Parliament ;

Confirming our firm commitment to constructive and positive African legislative action and to act in favour of African unity and integration, in accordance with the vision of the Africa We Want;

Recalling that the Pan-African Parliament is the voice of the citizen and civil society as well as of the African Diaspora for the defence and promotion of their rights and the fulfillment of their ambitions ;

Aware of the difficulties experienced by the brotherly people of Mali ;

Reiterating the role of the Pan-African Parliament in strengthening solidarity, tolerance, unity and the union of Africans, in favour of cooperation and the integrated development of our Continent ;

Stressing the key role of the Pan-African Parliament in the promotion of democracy, human rights, the rule of law and good governance ;

Noting with concern the crumbling and deplorable state of the Pan-African Parliament, which could seriously undermine its legitimacy, authority and credibility ;

Deploring the intolerable actions committed within the Pan-African Parliament, particularly since May 2020, by several interested parties, as well as the unacceptable transgressions of its rules and procedures and the use of threats and intimidation during the 4^th Ordinary Session of its 5^th Parliament (21 May - 4 June 2021) ;

Reaffirming the relevance of the Protocol to the Constitutive Act of the AU relating to the Pan-African Parliament, adopted on 27 June 2014 by the 23^rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea ;

1. Solemnly declaring that, without a genuine and authentic African Parliament, the Pan-African institutional construction remains incomplete, and calling on all African forces to defend Pan-African democracy in the best interests of Africa ;

2. Affirm that, since its establishment, the Pan-African Parliament has contributed, according to its means, to the enrichment of the African legislative culture, pay tribute to the work accomplished since then, and deplore, at the same time, the crisis of credibility into which this institution has been precipitated due to dishonest and unhealthy manoeuvers;

3. Urge for an end to be put to intolerable behaviour, disrespect for the rules of procedure and all irresponsible acts that may tarnish the image of Africa in the 21^st century and foster division among sister countries;

4. Categorically reject attempts to divide the Pan-African Parliament from its fundamental mission and functions, to the detriment of the imperative of serving the best interests of the African peoples ;

5. call, in this regard, for the sincere commitment of all structures of the Pan-African Parliament, at all levels, to consolidate its coherence and cohesion, and to rationalize and optimize its work and action ;

6. Advocate respect for rules and procedures, transparency, good governance and accountability in the management of the Pan-African Parliament in order to enhance its credibility and authority, including in the election of the new Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament ;

7. Remain committed to upgrading the Pan-African Parliamentary work, with the aim of making it an essential lever in the process of consolidating African integration, and a solid link in the strengthening of democratic culture in Africa, wishing for the relief of the suffering of the brotherly people of Mali ; 

Recommend :

- The acceleration of the ratification of the Malabo Protocol ;

- The establishment of a Follow-up and Conciliation Committee to restore unity and cohesion within the Institution ;

- The organisation of the October 2021 session in the Republic of Congo, which had requested it, or in any other country that shows its availability; and that

- Our colleagues, the Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors of the Moroccan Parliament, be mandated, with the possible assistance of other colleagues, to take all useful steps with regard to the AU and the African States, with a view to the successful implementation of our recommendations.

Done in Rabat, on 8 July 2021

H.E.Mr Felix Tshisekedi,

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, current Chairman of the AU.

Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat

Chairperson of the AU Commission