As the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) prepares to wrap up this week, South Africa has elected several new members to the continental parliament.<\/p>\n
The Pan-African Parliament was launched in 2004 following a resolution taken by the African Union to have a continental legislature. While this was considered a good idea, the key challenge is that the PAP is still struggling to assert its authority on member states.<\/p>\n
\u201cPan African Parliament is not a stepchild to the African Union. Members of PAP are independent,\u201d says Gertrude Mongella, former PAP President.<\/p>\n
South Africa has never missed an opportunity to make a contribution at the Pan-African Parliament. At times, things got heated, as the Southern caucus sought to do just that.<\/p>\n
Today, the South African Parliament elected new members who will represent the country at the PAP.<\/p>\n
One of those is the ANC’s Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli, who has a strong political track record.<\/p>\n
The new kid on the block is Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, while the EFF, that had leader Julius Malema, has now made Vuyani Pambo available.<\/p>\n
The PAP also discussed the challenges of peace and security on the continent. This comes at a time when the DRC and Sudan are a huge headache for the continent.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfrica should source its own funds in dealing with instability in the continent,\u201d says Dr Sherif Gabaly, PAP Chairperson: Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution.<\/p>\n
The PAP will wrap up its work on Friday. It is not clear when the new members of the Pan-African Parliament from South Africa will be sworn in.<\/p>\n
Video: Pan African Parliament – ‘African stability needs to be self-funded’<\/strong><\/p>\n