Midrand: Moroccan Parliamentary Delegation Takes Part in Third Ordinary Session under Sixth Legislative Term of the Pan-African Parliament

A delegation of the Moroccan Parliament is taking part in the proceedings of the Third Ordinary Session of the Sixth Legislative Term of the Pan-African Parliament, held between June 21 and July 05, 2024, at the Seat of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa. 

The delegation includes, from the House of Representatives, Rep. Leila Dahi (Group of the National Rally of Independents), Rep. Khadija Arouhal (Group of Progress and Socialism), and Rep. Abdessamad Haiker (Parliamentary Caucus of Justice and Development). The House of Councilors is represented by Cllr. Hanae Belkheir (Group of the General Union of Moroccan Workers). 

The Session takes place under the theme of the year 2024 of the African Union: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa." The Session will be an opportunity to discuss the steps that parliamentarians can take from their positions in order to enhance the quality of educational systems in Africa. 

The Session will feature several seminars, workshops, and table roundtables, including the Second Parliamentary Dialogue of the Pan-African Parliament with civil society. It will also feature presentations and debates on the progress achieved in implementing the ZLECAF and a seminar on the African Union’s 2063 Agenda and its link to its continental project. Besides, the participants will witness the presentation of the cycle report on the status of peace and security in Africa, including a presentation on the joint position of the African Union regarding the reforms of the UN Security Council. 

Rep. Leila Dahi and Rep. Khadija Arouhal took part in a workshop organized prior to the official kick-off of the Session for the members of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament, the Bureaus of its standing committees, and its parliamentary caucuses, on “An efficient administration based on results and strategic planning." The workshop tackled the means to reinforce the understanding and assimilation of the objectives and activities of the Pan-African Parliament and their adaptation to the strategic orientations and decisions of the African Union while focusing primarily on a result-based schedule and budget. The meeting also covered the headlines of the African Union's 2063 Agenda and the plan to implement it during the next decade (2024-2033), in addition to facilitating the debates on the strategic priorities of the Pan-African Parliament for 2024-2028.

The two Representatives also participated in the joint meeting of the Bureau of the Pan-African Parliament, the Bureaus of the Standing Committees, and the Regional Caucuses. In this respect, the meeting featured the adoption of the Session's order of business following the addition of the following items to it: 

- Presentations and debates on the Report on freedom of movement in Africa; 

- Presentations and debates on the negotiations related to the first draft of the revised Organization of African Unity Convention for the elimination of mercenaries in Africa;

- Presentations and debates on "The use of drugs and narcotics as an obstacle to comprehensive, continuous, good, and adequate learning in Africa;"

- Presentations and debates on the country-specific reports on the African Peer Review Mechanism.

It should be noted that the Pan-African Parliament gathers the Parliaments of the member States of the African Union. The Parliament was founded under Article 5 of the AU’s Constitutive Act and formally initiated its proceedings on March 18, 2004. The jurisdiction of the Parliament aims to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integrity of the continent. It currently enjoys a consultative status within the African Union and controls its budget. 

Each member State of the Pan-African Parliament is represented by five parliamentarians from the Majority and Opposition, including at least one woman, elected or designated by their national Parliaments.