Pan-African Parliament: Three Questions for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rachid Talbi Alami

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has renewed its structures last June, bringing to an end the two-year institutional vacuum imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Rachid Talbi Alami, highlights in this interview with the Maghreb Arabe Press (MAP) on the Kingdom’s contribution to this African institution and the new challenges it faces currently.

This interview was granted to the MAP on the margins of the 11th Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments, currently hosted at the PAP headquarters in Midrand, South Africa.

1. What is exactly the role of Morocco in the modernization and restructuring of the PAP?

For the first time, the Kingdom of Morocco is taking part in the annual Conference of Speakers of African National and Regional Parliaments, which addresses several issues related to food security, overexploitation of natural resources and the post-covid-19 economic recovery.

The Kingdom and the Pan-African Parliament are called upon to work together to achieve specific goals, most importantly the revision of the Governance System and the Rules of Procedures, with a view to increasing effectiveness and good governance within this institution.

The purpose here is to transform the PAP into an institution that makes an effective contribution to the development of the continent and monitors major restructuring projects in Africa.

It is vital to enshrine the principle of rotation in positions of responsibility, in order to maintain a balance between the representatives of the five regions of Africa.

The promotion of ratification of the Malabo Treaty, which entitles the PAP to greater powers, is also at the core of the issues on which Morocco is firmly committed with African leaders.

Morocco enjoys a strong presence within the PAP structures, having been elected last June to chair the Youth Caucus, in the person of Ms. Laila Dahi, who is a Moroccan MP of the National Rally of Independents (RNI) and represents the Region of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra.

In this way, the Kingdom, which has one of the most advanced democratic models in Africa, is ready to share its democratic practices, principles and values with other members of the PAP.

Thus, we are called upon to build the future of the continent together, lest we fail to get engaged in making major decisions concerning our own continent.

2. What could be the added value of the PAP as a legislative institution in promoting the actions of the African Union (AU)?

In its capacity as an African legislative institution, the PAP complements the African Union’s actions. Thereby, the African MPs can help in conveying the concerns and aspirations of the African peoples to the PAP’s Chamber for discussion and tangible solutions.Moreover, it is worth mentioning that every power needs a counterpower. In other words, the AU bodies are thus accountable to the PAP, as is the case at the level of national parliaments. The PAP must fully assume its role as a legislative authority in enacting, rejecting, improving, monitoring and evaluating laws that affect the future of Africa.

Working more closely together, the AU and the PAP can go a long way in the service of the continent’s development.

3. What is the role of Morocco in the development of Africa?

Morocco is a model of development and of political and social stability. Under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom has been fully engaged in the development of the continent and remains ready to share its experience with other African countries.

Morocco has always defended the issues relevant to the South-South partnership. This is reflected by its huge investments in a number of countries, given that 60% of Moroccan investments abroad are directed to the African continent.

The Kingdom has always expressed its readiness to develop partnerships with its sisterly countries in Africa, particularly in sectors where it has cutting-edge expertise. These include maritime fisheries, renewable energy, agriculture, water resource mobilization, health care, epidemic control and food security.

Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty the King, has launched a series of projects proving that it is a model in terms of good governance, transparency, respect for human rights and the integration of women in the political and economic life.

In fact, the South-South cooperation remains the only way for Africans to find a model that is appropriate to Africa’s context, culture and history.