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LOBAMBA – Eswatini is among the 19 branches of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) that are up-to-date with their subscriptions.
This allows the country to enjoy the benefits of being part of the Commonwealth countries and Parliament. These benefits, among others, include trade facilitation, which will enable the country to be part of legislation formation of the markets.
According to a report of the 86th Executive Committee Meeting of the CPA-Africa Region that was held in Uganda from March 7 to 12, and presented by Vice Chairperson of CPA committee in Eswatini Senator Isaac Magagula, the financial statements of the association showed that, out of 64 members of the CPA Africa region, only 19 branches paid their 2023 subscription of US$10 000, which is roughly E180 000.
This is a good record for Eswatini. After 2021, the country faced being removed from the African Union, after failing to settle its arrears from the previous years. However, the country quickly settled its arrears. According to the report that was presented in Parliament, the expected receipts from subscription fees for CPA Africa Region from 64 members for the year 2023, were US$550 000 out of the 64 members, 19 branches are contributing US$10 000 each per annum.
However, 30 Sub Branches were suspended due to arrears of over two years, leading adjustments of expected subscriptions to US$310 000, which is equivalent to E5 580 000.
From January to December 2023, the CPA received, US$184 637.27 approximately E3.3 million (60 per cent of the expected amount) leaving an outstanding balance of US$125 362.73 approximately E2.2 million (40 per cent).
The branches that paid their subscriptions for 2023 included Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Eswatini, Mauritius, Namibia, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria and Zambia and an addition of US$34 000 was collected from the Gambia and Namibia as arrears for year 2022 and Lesotho and Taraba for year 2021.
Subscriptions
“The total subscriptions received for the association from January to December 2023 (inclusive of arrears) was US$218, 637.27,” reads the tabled report. The report also mentioned that tremendous efforts had been made by both the CPA international and the CPA UK Brach to persuade the UK Government to introduce legislation to provide the CPA with the desired status.
This is because there was a significant shift in the UK Government’s position in 2023 with the (then) UK Foreign Secretary, the Member of Parliament James Cleverly MP, tasking Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials with finding a solution to the issue of CPA’s status that would be acceptable to all sides, including by legislative means if that proved necessary. This was the first time the CPA had received such a commitment regarding potential legislation from the UK government.