The African Geopolitical Group met on Tuesday to discuss proposals for debates and resolutions on emergency items ahead of the 145th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly. The Parliament of Rwanda is hosting the 5-day meeting in Kigali, bringing together African Parliamentarians to deliberate on continental issues around the theme ‘Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world.
Among the parliamentarians is Honorable Senator Chief Fortune Charumbira the President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), attending in fulfillment of his campaign promise to be a unifier in African institutions. The new leadership of the African parliament has made strides within its first 100 days in office to fulfill its mandate to strengthen collaboration with national and regional Parliaments and enhance the visibility of the parliament as the legislative organ of the African Union.
According to a press briefing, Chief Charumira attended preparatory meetings on behalf of PAP for the first time ever, to encourage the Africa Geopolitical Group to unite in the advancement of Africa’s common concerns at the international assembly of parliaments, it is reported. The President of the PAP is also said to have been caucusing on the sidelines of the preparatory meetings to convey the importance of the relationship between the Africa Geopolitical Group and the Pan-African Parliament
There are 5 main IPU geopolitical groups involved in shaping and reviewing the implementation of policies that facilitate parliamentary diplomacy as well as empower parliaments and parliamentarians in promoting peace, democracy, and sustainable development. The groups represent Africa, the Arab World, Asia-Pacific, Eurasia, and Latin America/the Caribbean. The sixth—known as the “Twelve-Plus” group—is made up mostly of European nations, alongside other Western states including Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
