The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, extends its warm congratulations to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative organ of the African Union, on the successful convening of its Extraordinary Elective Session held on 30 April 2026 in Midrand, South Africa.
The PAP occupies a pivotal role in the architecture of the African Union. Article 17(1) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union establishes the Pan-African Parliament expressly to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent, a mandate that is further anchored in Article 4(c), which enshrines the participation of African peoples in the activities of the Union as a core principle. These provisions underscore that the PAP is not merely an institutional organ, but a vehicle for the democratic voice of African citizens on the continental stage.
Anchored in these constitutional commitments, the Centre reaffirms its commitment to the PAP's work, and in particular to the institutionalisation of civil society engagement through the PAP Civil Society Forum (PAP CSO.) This imperative is further affirmed by the 2001 PAP Protocol, which envisions the PAP as ensuring the full participation of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent, and as a common platform through which African peoples are more actively involved in continental discussions and decision-making. This PAP CSO Forum is a transformative shift towards democratising PAP processes across four interconnected dimensions: citizen engagement and participatory governance; democratic governance and human rights; policy development and oversight; and the strengthening of institutional capacity. Collectively, these dimensions seek to ensure that African citizens are not only represented, but actively heard.
The Centre for Human Rights congratulates the newly elected Bureau:
The Centre recognises the critical role of the Pan-African Parliament in advancing democratic governance, human rights, and constitutionalism across the continent. As a longstanding partner committed to these shared values, the Centre welcomes the renewed leadership and its vision to consolidate institutional effectiveness and deepen continental cooperation.
For more information please contact:
sabelo.gumedze@up.ac.za
