African aspirations aired as countries meet at conference

MORE than 40 speakers from a range of African countries debated the Activity Report of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) at its Fifth Ordinary Session at the Gallagher Conference Centre in Midrand yesterday.

The report was presented by PAP president Roger Nkodo Dang, who said African integration was essential, before inviting speakers to discuss their priorities and concerns.

Gambia congratulated PAP for working towards the removal of sanctions on Sudan, and called for more commitment to action while urging an investigation into high youth unemployment and migration from the continent.

Burundi pleaded for international co-operation between PAP and international partners, before pleading for PAP’s support against sanctions being imposed on the country by Europe following allegations of mass human rights abuses. Burkina Fasso thanked PAP members for support after Islamist militants carried out attacks in the capital Ouagadougou earlier in the year that killed at least 18 people, including foreigners.

It recommended that PAP invest more effort in fighting terrorism and extremism in the Sahel region, saying these attacks affected development.

The expansion of local and regional parliaments to allow greater autonomy, and more involvement in the consultative process of PAP was Cape Verde’s recommendation.

The country also stated that negotiations between the AU and the EU, post the 2000 Cotonou Agreement, a treaty between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states, should be based on safeguarding African interests.