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Thirty-five African and international civil society organisations working in over forty African countries participated in the first Consultative Dialogue with the Pan Africa Parliament under the theme “Building Effective Mechanisms for Civil Society Engagement with Pan African and Regional Institutions”.
Aware of the 7th ordinary session of the Pan African Parliament being held under the theme of “African Union Government”, the Consultative Dialogue provided an opportunity for civil society organisations to reflect on the proposal on the Union Government in preparation for the African Union Summit in June 2007 in Accra, Ghana.
After carefully studying the Study for the Proposal for Continental Government and the Study into the Modalities for Continental Government, it is clear that without the full involvement and participation of African women and men, the
vision of a Peoples Union will not be realised. In this regard, the Pan African Parliament could play a pivotal role in catalysing informed dialogue at both continental and national levels.
Consequently, we hereby recommend to Honourable Members of the Pan African Parliament that they consider including in their position on Continental Government, the following seven points;
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Support the vision of deeper political and economic continental integration underpinned by the principles of democracy and rights based governance
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A commitment to inform their National Assemblies and convene public consultations before the July Summit
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Prioritisation in the work of the Pan African Parliament committees, the national implementation of continental legal instruments and policies;
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A proposal to the Heads of States in July for clear consultation mechanisms for African citizens prior to all of the decision-making stages of the Continental Government;
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A clear call to the Heads of States to immediately abolish visas for Africans travelling within Africa, as a precursor to the lifting of all restrictions on African men and women to reside, work and trade throughout Africa;
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A further call for a clear domestic financing strategy for the proposed new functions, which may include the options of taxing air flights and other creative ways of raising revenue for the Union Government and lastly;
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The need for increased speed in rationalising the regional economic communities so that they can become effective building blocs for continental integration.
While institutional renewal and consultation within the African Union and its Specialised Organs is important, the immense political will needed to realise political and economic integration will only be sustained if our peoples are informed and supportive of such efforts. A public mandate is necessary for Continental Government to succeed.
We urge members of the Pan African Parliament, in true recognition of their representative role, to champion this process. Lastly, we assure the Pan African Parliament of our commitment to sustain the dialogue through regular submissions and interaction.
Signed by participants from the following organisations who attended the Consultative Dialogue with the Pan African Parliament;
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ACCORD – South Africa
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ACORD
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Africa Institute of South Africa
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African Civil Society Organisation ACSO
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African Forum for Debt and Development – AFRODAD
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AFRIMAP
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Centre for Policy Studies
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Centre for Public Participation
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CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation
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Golden Centre of Learning
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Civil Society Trade Network of Zambia
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Denis Hurley Peace Institute
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Economic Justice Network
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Electoral Institute for Southern Africa
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G20 – Platform for Civil Society Organisations - Mozambique
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Institute for Democracy in South Africa
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Institute for Democratic Governance - Ghana
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Institute for Global Dialogue
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Institute for Policy Studies
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Mwelekeo wa NGO - MWENGO
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Oxfam GB
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SADC-Council of Non Governmental Organizations SADC-CNGO
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Southern Africa Trust
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Southern African Regional Poverty Network - SARPN
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Southern African Research and Documentation Centre - SARDC
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Electoral Institute for Southern Africa
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Southern African Trade Union Co-ordination Council - SATUCC
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The Centre for Multiparty Democracy - Kenya
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Trust Africa,
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UN Millennium Campaign
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University of KwaZulu-Natal- Centre for Civil Society – CCS
The Statement has been also endorsed by
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ActionAid International
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Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition
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Send Foundation – Ghana
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Pan African Movement
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Pan African Development Education and Advocacy Programme
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Centre for Democracy and Development - Nigeria
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