No 88 - 2005] SECOND SESSION, THIRD PARLIAMENT

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FRIDAY, 19 AUGUST 2005

1. Report of the South African Delegation to the Third Ordinary Session of the Pan-African Parliament, 29 March – 11 April 2005, held at Gallagher Estates, Midrand:

The report outlines the proceedings of the third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament, which took place between 29 March 2005 and 11 April 2005.

The third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was marked by the opening address by President Gertrude Mongella, and solidarity speeches by Speakers of various National Parliaments including the Hon Ms B Mbete, Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa.

The Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly of Uganda spoke for all speakers on the continent, while the Speaker of the Parliament of South Africa spoke in her capacity as the leader of the delegation of the host country. Both Speakers noted the successes of both the Pan-African Parliament as an institution, and the importance of the institution in uniting Africa’s people. While the Speaker of Uganda highlighted the strengths of the President of the Pan-African Parliament, whom he commended for honouring all women of Africa and the world. The Speaker of South Africa highlighted the importance of the Pan-African Parliament in reclaiming Africa’s land, and leading the continent in creating its own destiny.

The President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Gertrude Mongella paid tribute to the late 4^th Vice President, Hon Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere of the Pan-African Parliament. The President also noted the important role that South Africa had played in housing the Pan-African Parliament and providing structures for this purpose. The President further referred to the important role of the commission of the African Union, National Governments and the need for a budget for the Pan-African Parliament. The President further highlighted important achievements of the Pan-African Parliament, including the peacekeeping mission to Darfur.

The agenda of the third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament was conducted both in meetings of committees, as well as in the Plenary. The purpose of the committee meetings was to work through committee work programs and for each committee to come up with at least three priorities. Committees that are covered in the report include:

• The Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline – the Committee prioritised the Code of Conduct for members of the Pan-African Parliament and the Draft Proposal on guidelines for oversight and accountability for the Pan-African Parliament.
• The Committee on Co-operation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution – the Committee has identified a number of events and resource mobilisation in order to coordinate cooperation and peacekeeping efforts within and outside the continent.
• Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters – the Committee prioritised a fact finding mission to the Commissioners of trade and industry, and Social Affairs of the African Union Commission to get status reports on their activities with particular reference to trade regulations, tariff laws, immigration rules, regulations and laws.
• Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology – in addition to intensive committee discussions of transport problems in Africa, the Committee presented a report to the House on the important aspects of the industries that had been identified. The report was debated and adopted in the House.
• Committee on Justice and Human Rights – the Committee prioritised capacity building for all members of the Committee on their roles and functions in relation to the overall mandate of the Committee.

The House adopted the following recommendations:

1. Pan African Parliament Peace Mission to Darfur (PAP-Rec. 001/05)
2. World Summit on Information Society (PAP – Rec. 002/05)
3. The African Land Title System (PAP-Rec. 003/05)
4. The Creation of an African Phytogenetic Resource Bank (PAP-Rec.004/05)
5. Communications and Information Infrastructure in Africa (PAP-Rec. 005/05)
6. The request directed to States who have not yet ratified the Constitutive Act of the Union and Its Protocol (PAP-Rec.006/05)
7. Encouraging Pan-African Investment and Financing Institutions to Focus on Africa’s Rural Economy (PAP-Rec.007/05)

1. Signing of Adherence to the African Peer Review Mechanism (PAP-Res. 001/05)
2. Resolution on the Development of a Continental Code of Conduct (PAP-Res.002/05)
3. Appreciation of the Intervention of the President of the African Union in the Togo Crisis (003/05)
4. Appreciation of the Work of Mr. Kofi Annan, The Secretary General to the United Nations (PAP-Res.004/05)
5. Resolution Relating to the Presidential Elections in Togo on 24 April 2005 (PAP-Res. 005/05)
6. Establishment of Pan African Investment and Financing Institutions for African’s Rural Economy (PAP-Res. 002/05)
7. Designing Continental Policy Programmes for Environmental Protection and Efficient Utilisation of Natural Resource (PAP-Res. 004/05)
8. Appreciation to H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairperson of the African Union, for his Actions on the Togo Crisis (PAP-Res.005/05)
9. Dispatch of a PAP Mission to Cote D’Ivoire at the Beginning of May 2005 (PAP-Res.009/05)
10. Dispatch of a PAP Peace Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo During the First Fortnight of May 2005 (PAP-Res.10/05)
11. Congratulating H.E. Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, on His Success in Achieving a Peace Agreement Between the Warring Parties in Cote D’Ivoire (PAP-Res.008/05)

The Third Ordinary Session of the Pan-African Parliament was marked by the opening ceremony that took place on Tuesday, 29 March 2005 and included solidarity speeches by various Speakers of National Parliaments including South Africa’s Speaker, Hon Ms Baleka Mbete. From Wednesday, 30 March to Monday, 11 April 2005, committee work and plenaries took place in earnest. The volume of work covered by the 10 committees and the quality of the debates in plenary showed the level of dedication and will to succeed from all the Pan-African Parliamentarians, particularly the South African members who made salient contributions to both the committee work programme and the debates in the House. At least two South African members participated in each debate over the 14 days, with firm commitments from all South African members to provide ongoing support to the Pan-African Parliament during its infant stage. An example of this commitment was displayed by Hon Mr Mahlangu who made himself available to assist with the drafting of a Code of Conduct for the Pan-African Parliamentarians and defining the Oversight and Accountability role of the Pan-African Parliament as an effective organ of the African Union.

The third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament was graced by excellent presentations by in particular Ambassador Djinnit, New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on HIV and Aids in Africa. On Friday, 08 April 2005, the third ordinary session was privileged to be in the presence of 8 previous Heads of State including the Prime Minister of Cote D’Ivoire, following the successful signing of the Pretoria Agreement on Cote D’Ivoire, a peace agreement brokered mainly by the H.E. President T M Mbeki.

2. ISSUES DEBATED IN THE HOUSE

The third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament focused on the following issues:

2.1 Solidarity Speeches.

2.2 Administrative issues, including:

• The 2005 Budget.
• Annual Report.
• Work plan of the Pan-African Parliament.
• Establishment of a trust fund.
• Launching of the Pan-African Parliament website.

3. Procedural and process issues, including

• Strengthening Committees
• Consideration of Committee priorities
• Consideration of Committee work plans.

3. Debates on issues of continental significance. Topics that were debated include:

• The Millennium Development Goals.
• United Nations Reform.
• Combating HIV/AIDS in Africa.
• Transportation and Communication problems in Africa.
• Report on Peace Mission to Darfur
• Agricultural problems in Africa.

The third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament was attended by 194 members from 39 member states.

3. Official Opening

Hon. Gertrude Mongella, M.P, President of the Pan-African Parliament, led the delegation in meditation and silent prayer and thereafter proceeded to invite various speakers to present messages of solidarity.

The Hon.Speaker of the National Assembly of Uganda noted that the occasion of the Third ordinary session of the Pan-African Parliament marked the first anniversary of the Pan-African Parliament, which was inaugurated on the 1 of March 2004. The Speaker congratulated the first President of the Pan-African Parliament and indicated that Hon. Mongella honoured all women of the world, but particularly the women of Africa. He also saluted the founders of the Pan-African Parliament and highlighted the successes of the Pan-African Parliament and African Union (AU), particularly the peacekeeping successes, which are to promote peace, and security in areas like Darfur in Sudan. The Speaker also highlighted challenges that the Parliament faces, including funding. In conclusion, the Speaker extended gratitude to the South African Government for the support provided, including the building structure that houses the Pan-African Parliament.

Hon. Mbete noted that although the past year was a challenging one, the Pan-African Parliament has recorded many successes, which included achievements with regard to the Rules of Procedure. The Speaker indicated that the Constitutive Act of the African Union guided the rules and that the Pan-African Parliament did not have full legislative powers, but assumed an advisory role over Parliaments.

The Speaker indicated that it had been a challenge to set up clear oversight functions. One of the major challenges of the Pan-African Parliament is that it is not yet a fully legislative body, but only assumes an advisory role over Parliaments. It is important for the Pan-African Parliament to critically examine delivery by national Governments. In addition, although committees have been formed, there is still a need for clear programmes so as to provide positive feedback to member countries.

The Speaker noted that Africa was once regarded as part of Europe, and that Africa is now determined to reclaim its soil and create its own destiny. In conclusion, the Speaker stressed the need and importance of taking pride in the Pan-African Parliament, ensuring that it is not just a talk-shop and that it has substance. It was also important to ensure that at the end of the Third Ordinary Session, clear programmes for Committee work would be in place and positive feedback should be provided to member countries.

H.E. Ambassador Mongella made a formal announcement of the passing away of the 4^th Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere, who died on 11 January 2005 in his home country Benin after taking ill in Accra, Ghana. The President, as well as several other speakers, paid tribute to the late Vice President and requested a moment of silence in remembrance.

President Mongella highlighted the important role that South Africa has played in the establishment of the Pan-African Parliament and expressed appreciation to the host country and other national parliaments from across the continent for their support and contribution towards the development of the Parliament.

Key players in the development of the Pan-African Parliament had been:

• The Commission of African Union: The Commission of African Union, in particular the Commission for Political Affairs, spearheaded the process of launching the Pan-African Parliament. The Commission continues to provide financial and human resources that facilitate the functioning of the Pan-African Parliament.
• The Host Country: The South African Government, and particularly H.E President Thabo Mbeki, has demonstrated total commitment and support to the Pan-African Parliament. The host government has provided services and support according to the Host Country Agreement by ensuring the availability of the required buildings, staff, infrastructure and services for the smooth operation of the Pan-African Parliament.
• National Parliaments: National Parliaments have taken the responsibility of covering travel and subsistence costs for their delegates to the Pan-African Parliament during the committees and plenary meetings. In addition, the Speakers of National Parliaments have contributed to and supported the Pan-African Parliament at its initial stage of development.

Swahili was introduced as a working language during the second session, bringing to the number of working languages of the Parliament to 5. Some of the successes of the Parliament include:

• The mission to Darfur – investigating issues of conflict in Darfur. Africa is showing leadership in the resolution to address the numerous challenges. The President congratulated the committee that visited Sudan under difficult circumstances and at a time of conflict.
• The Pan-African Parliament has established an agreement of understanding with several continental and regional structures. Cooperation is expected to strengthen technical capabilities.
• The Bureau Committee meetings have developed 2005 work plans and the Pan-African Parliament’s strategic plan to be discussed during this third session.
• The Bureau has carried out a number of advocacy initiatives to popularise the Parliament within and outside Africa with the hope of establishing institutional relationships and partnerships with institutions of a similar nature e.g. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; the European Union (EU) Parliament, European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). Such cooperation is expected to build strong technical capacity within the Parliament.
• The Pan-African Parliament is in the process of looking for additional funding. In this regard, agreements have been made with the United States of America, Europe and other countries.
• The Bureau has examined the need to provide the Parliament with the necessary resources. At this third session there will be a discussion on the establishment of the Trust Fund as an additional source of funding for Pan-African Parliament’s activities.

The ultimate goal is to make the Pan-African Parliament truly representative of the people of Africa in social, economic and political issues around the continent, as well as in international bodies so as to ensure that the agendas of Africa are considered by multilateral institutions. In addition, the Pan-African Parliament seeks to embrace programmes such as the NEPAD in addressing social and economic development of the continent, to protect the human rights of the African people, to manage the globalisation process by influencing the international agenda, as well as to enhance partnerships for effective resource sharing and advocacy.

The agenda for the Third Ordinary Session of the Pan-African Parliament, made allowance for various subjects to be debated in Plenary. The plenary sessions were robust and included inputs from all members of the South African Delegation.

A new Vice-President was elected to replace the late 4^th Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament. Two candidates were nominated and Hon. Member Natra Keofile from Benin was elected.

The Annual Report was tabled in the House and was debated and adopted.

The House considered a comprehensive work plan for the Pan-African Parliament for 2005. The 2005 work plan focused on the following key issues:

• Formulation of a strategic plan to support resource mobilisation efforts. This includes resource mobilisation for Pan-African Parliament activities and institutional capacity-building.

• The need for an image building campaign for the Pan-African Parliament.
• Preparation and consideration of the Pan-African Parliament’s 2006 budget.
• Consideration of the 2006 African Union budget, as well as reports of other AU structures.
• Consideration of Committee reports and special missions reports.
• Consideration of the Pan-African Parliament’s Annual Report as well as the annual reports of other structures of the African Union.
• Consideration and establishment of the Pan-African Parliament’s website.

The work plan was widely accepted and adopted with the view that it could have been more specific and detailed in terms of activities, relationships with similar bodies and other organs of the African Union, the specific continental role of the Pan-African Parliament and expatiation on the Pan-African Parliament’s mandate.

The Annual Budget of the Pan-African Parliament was tabled in the House. After some robust and intense debating, the Annual budget was adopted.

The PAP submitted a budget proposal of $6.9 Million, out of which $5.6 Million was approved by the AU executive council. The council effected several amendments to the budget, including:

• A reduction of $737 288 in common staff costs; the reduction was due to the elimination of the recruitment costs, installation allowances and group insurance; as well as the reduction of the education allowance.
• A reduction of $534 000 in the supplies and services budget. The reduction in this budget was due to the elimination of the responsibility allowance for Members of Parliament.
• A reduction of $36 611 in the meetings and seminars budget. The budget for translators was reduced to cover 10 instead of 15 translators per session.

In total, the original budget was reduced by $1 307 899.

Members expressed concern over the reduction of the budget, as well as the delay in the transfer of funds and indicated that this could have a negative impact on the activities of the Pan-African Parliament.

Hon. Dr Faika El_Refaie, seconded by Hon. Saida Agrebi, presented a written motion in terms of rule 61 that the House urges the African Union Commission to transfer the funds of the Pan-African Parliament budget without further delay, in order to enable the Parliament to carry out its mandate in accordance with the Constitutive Act, the Protocol and the Rules of Procedure.

The Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs presented a motion for the Parliament to grant permission for the establishment of a trust fund as an additional means to mobilise resources to support the work of the Pan-African Parliament. The trust fund will be beneficial, not only in accelerating the implementation of the programmes of the Parliament, but also in multiplying the direct benefits of regional cooperation as well as contributing to peace building, democratic governance, gender equality and the harmonisation of regional laws.

The trust fund would further enable the continental Parliament to function effectively and mobilise funds worldwide in order to supplement the African Union financial support. Funders prefer trust funds because a trust fund would enable them to have input in the management of such a fund. The Committee thus recommended that a trust fund would go a long way in building capacity for the Pan-African Parliament, as well as enable the Pan-African Parliament to be financially independent and thereby reducing its dependence on national governments and enhancing its oversight role.

The House adopted the motion and the President indicated that as soon as the trust fund is established, the Bureau should immediately set up the rules and regulations in relation to it.

The Chairperson of the Permanent Committee on Transport, Industry, Communication, Energy, Science and Technology presented a report on resolving communication and transport problems in Africa. The report highlighted the fact that the absence of transport infrastructure and sectoral plans to ensure links within and between sectors has seriously impeded social and economic development in Africa. It is therefore important to equip the continent with appropriate infrastructure, and more particularly with transport and communications networks that will facilitate trade and circulation.

African rail networks have not yet put in place regional connections able to foster true economic cooperation and ensure complementarity in development efforts in Africa, and also to facilitate trade between African countries. The renovation and modernisation of railway networks in Africa is a priority: doubling of existing tracks, renewal of facilities, maintenance of railway tracks and electrification of lines. This will ensure more efficient facilitation of the transport of goods.

African countries are adversely affected by poor road, maritime and air travel infrastructure, which need to be reorganised and modernised. The evaluation of the transport sector: land, sea and air, and the prospect of their development, has been recorded as a priority activity in the NEPAD framework. The Committee called upon all political and economic roleplayers tasked with the implementation of NEPAD to commit all necessary resources and means at their disposal to activating the development of the road and rail infrastructure through the construction of a regional connection likely to attain regional integration in the field of land and rail transport.

The Committee recommended the launch of extension, modernisation, harmonisation and electrification of railway lines. The Committee further recommended the rehabilitation of African ports and the extension of their capacity to be able to cope with container transport through links between all maritime regions in Africa.

The Committee identified a need to introduce a prevention and security policy as well as for rigorous control against maritime pollution. There is also a need for cooperation between African maritime companies so that their personnel can benefit from training in the fields of navigation, naval and repair work, upkeep and maintenance.

The Pan-African Parliament should commit all its Members to work within their own Parliaments and countries in order to get closer to the experts responsible for NEPAD follow-up. This should be done in order to allow Members to acquaint themselves with the realities of the road, rail, sea and air networks and to ensure the wide dissemination of the recommendations of the Pan-African Parliament.

The report was debated and widely accepted by Members as highly informative and crucial. The house therefore adopted the report.

The Speaker of the Republic of South Africa raised an oral motion in terms of Rule 62 that the Committee on Communication and Transport must conduct a comprehensive research study of all Transport and Communication problems in Africa and come up with solutions in this regard. This report should then be debated and adopted in the House.

Debate on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

The Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment made a presentation on the actions that must be taken by the Pan-African Parliament to harmonise state and regional policies, legislation and actions which would enable the continent to emerge from its current poverty. The Committee looked into ways in which the PAP can assist member states to adopt the Pan-African doctrine to integrate the rural economy components into a productive zeal for the continent.

The Committee recommended that Parliament carry out a continental study of the current position of each member state with a view to identifying common problems and programmes. Such a study needed to identify the existing policies aimed at solving rural economy, agriculture, natural resources and environment problems as well as enhancing existing programmes, with a view to adopting common policies which will ensure collective development on the continent.

Such policies should be popularised through seminars, public meetings in each state and communication through the media, to make the public aware of their existence. Meanwhile, the Pan-African Parliament and all other organs of the African Union should promote peace, security and good governance as necessary conditions for development.

The predominance of agriculture in Africa's rural economy should be recognised by governments and societies at large so as to accord this sector its due importance, in terms of financing, budgetary allocations, research and marketing of its products. The vital role of women in the development of Africa's rural economy should be recognised and men and women should be treated more equally.

Africa's environmental and natural resources are being carelessly depleted by the increase in human and animal populations. The Pan-African Parliament should, therefore, develop a continental policy to maintain the balance between the increasing populations and finite natural resources with a view to improving land fertility and agricultural production.

There is an urgent need for the African Union to establish a code of conduct for member states to abide by so as to ensure their fulfillment with the requirements of the code. Monitoring could be a big problem, hence the need for an enforcement mechanism such as the African Peer Review Mechanism. The Committee also presented a brief action programme for implementation.

Most Members expressed appreciation for the report and recommendations during the debate and the report was adopted.

The Leader of the Fact-Finding Mission to Darfur, Hon. Abdul Katuntu, introduced the report of the Permanent Committee on Justice and Human Rights to the House, and the Rapporteur Hon. Halifa Sallah presented the report. The Committee recorded the following findings:

• The military aspect of the conflict in Darfur is that 80% of the tribesmen of Darfur carry weapons. This was a direct result of the conflict in the 70s and 80s between Libya and Chad, which did not leave Sudan unaffected by the proliferation of weapons. The acquisition of sophisticated weapons by tribesmen has led to their use in settling tribal conflicts. In addition, what started out as a tribal conflict between Nomads and farmers has taken on a political face and government and public property have been destroyed and 400 policemen killed.
• A state of insecurity prevails among citizens and many people reported serious atrocities. Native administration has been torn apart and customary justice is in shambles. People were afraid to talk to the Committee for fear of reprisal. They complained about the continuous sound of gunfire, arrests without trial and pressure to go back to villages where there was no security. There was also a lot of distrust of the security forces, and the police, hence distrust and insecurity prevails.
• One third of the population of Darfur had been displaced, between 1.5 to 2 million deaths reported and massive destruction of property has also been reported. There has also been recorded evidence of rape and violence against women. The Committee thus stated that the conflict in Darfur has resulted in a humanitarian disaster. The attempt to discuss HIV and AIDS in camps was unsuccessful.

Among others, the Mission strongly recommended the following:

• That the negotiation in governance on Darfur be speeded up and be time bound in order to provide the blueprint that would guarantee the political, economic and social rights of the population.
• That the African Union facilitates the convening of a National Conference on peace, democratic governance and development in Sudan involving the government, the parties to all regional agreements and all stakeholders in general, to enable them to prepare a strategic document for the sharing of power and wealth among the regions.
• That the mandate of the protectors in the cease-fire commission be enhanced to go beyond protecting military observers, to include protection of the population of Darfur. All necessary instruments, institutions and resources should be mobilised to ensure that the cease-fire agreement is respected.
• That the Pan-African Parliament establishes a trust fund for humanitarian assistance to populations in conflict areas in Africa.

The report was debated and the recommendations were adopted. The report is attached as Annexure 5.

• In accordance with Rule 38 (1) and 73 (2) of the Rules of Procedure, the Commissioner on Peace and Security of the African Union, Ambassador Said Djinnit made a statement on Peace and Security Issues in Africa.
• Debate ensued on Peace and Security Issues in Africa in accordance with Rule 73(2) of the Rules of Procedure.

Debate on the Millennium Development Goals in Africa

The Chairperson of the Permanent Committee on Co-operation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, Hon Elhadji Diao Kante, presented a report on achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa. The goals aim to:

1. Eliminate extreme poverty and hunger; as well as ensure education for all.
2. Promote sexual equality and the empowerment of women.
3. Reduce infantile mortality and improve maternal health.
4. Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
5. Ensure a sustainable environment.
6. Set up a world partnership for development.

In order to reach these goals, each developing country is primarily responsible for its own development, which it must assume by:

• Reinforcing governance and fighting corruption.
• Adopting policies and making investments that will promote growth driven by the private sector.
• Mobilising fully the available resources to finance national development strategies.

Developed countries committed themselves to ensuring that developing countries that adopt transparent, credible and accurately costed development strategies receive all the support they need in the form of increased development aid, a commercial system more firmly aligned with development and broader intensified debt relief.

A debate ensued wherein members called for a review of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) and the restructuring of the African socio-ecomonic policies in order to meet the MDGs. Furthermore it was stated that, there is a need for reform of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to ensure trade fairness. The report was subsequently adopted.

The debate on HIV and Aids was preceded by an audiovisual presentation by members of European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA). The presentation highlighted the Cape Town Declaration, which was established in 2004. However, AWEPA indicated that making declarations is not enough and that these should be implemented.

Child-headed households and children orphaned by AIDS are increasing, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The Pan-African Parliament should assume a leading role in the combating of HIVand AIDS. Sensitisation, education and the introduction of HIV and AIDS in the educational system is important. Further, since war increases the incidence of HIV and AIDS. Peace in Africa would reduce the incidence of the disease.

It is important to consider the different dimensions of HIV and AIDS - the health, social, human resources, developmental, human security and political aspects. HIV/AIDS should therefore be approached from a multi-sectoral point of view. It is also important to avoid fragmentation when dealing with AIDS orphans.

It is important to focus on behavioral change and to develop a continental plan to fight HIV and AIDS.

The President of the Pan-African Parliament informed European Parliamentarians for Africa (AWEPA) that the Pan-African Parliament has set up a trust fund specifically to mobilise funds to deal with such important continental issues. The House moved that the recommendations be adopted.

The debate on the Reform of the United Nations focused mostly on the reform of the United Nations Security Council as this is the most far-reaching reform owing to the important role that it has on international peacekeeping and security.

The Committee recommended that:

• Africa demands two permanent seats with veto rights and four non-permanent seats on the Security Council.
• The Pan-African Parliament to lobby the international parliamentary institutions with a view to securing support for Africa's demands.
• The Pan-African Parliament, in consultation with similar institutions, take the necessary action to ensure that balance is restored in the voting procedures of the Bretton Woods institutions where eighty percent of the members carry only thirty percent of the votes.

The report was adopted.

1. Code of Conduct for Members of the Pan-African Parliament.
2. Consideration of the Draft Proposal on Guidelines for Oversight and accountability for the Pan-African Parliament

Both agenda items were presented by the Hon. M.J. Mahlangu (South Africa). The following issues were considered in respect of the draft proposal on Guidelines for Oversight and Accountability for the Pan-African Parliament:

• The Pan-African Parliament must hold a workshop to discuss its oversight powers.
• The Pan-African Parliament must provide oversight over the African Union Commission.
• Scrutiny of the Treaty Establishing the African Union, the Protocol and the Rules of the Pan-African Parliament, to unpack the oversight powers of the Pan-African Parliament.
• Separation of the Executive Authority from the Legislative Authority is necessary to enable meaningful oversight.
• An in depth study on how similar continental parliamentary organisations conduct oversight.
• Establishment of a Committee dealing specifically with oversight matters.
• Analyses of Rule 73(3) and Rule 74(1) as the starting points for oversight functions of the Pan-African Parliament.
• Determining the oversight role of the Pan-African Parliament vis-à-vis other organs of the African Union.
• Establishing how oversight on New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) could be conducted.
• The committee resolved that the Hon. M.J. Mahlangu would table a follow-up report on Oversight and Accountability, which takes into account issues raised above.

Code of Conduct for Members of the Pan-African Parliament

After consideration of draft Code of Conduct for Members of the Pan-African Parliament, the committee resolved that the Code would be presented to the House during the fourth Session of the Pan-African Parliament for adoption.

6.2 Committee on Co-operation, International Relations and

• Organisation of a seminar with the aim of keeping the Committees’ members up to date. Resource mobilisation on going – Period starting from February until March 2005.
• Ten days visit for 2 or 3 committee members to the African Union Headquarters to collect information on conflicts in Africa and their resolution as well as information on co-operation. Period starting from May 2005 until June 2005.
• Assigning 2 or 3 members to:

1. Cote d’Ivoire – 15 days
2. Democratic Republic of Congo – 15 days
3. Togo – 15 days

Aim: Information gathering with the view to making recommendations on the conflicts in these countries. Period starting from April until May 2005.

• Participation of 1 or 2 members in high-level research on issues of conflict resolutions
• Observation of elections on the continent by 1 or 2 members who will be appointed according to the area and in collaboration with the Regional Parliamentary Caucuses.

1. Fact finding visit to the commissioners of Trade and Industry, and Social Affairs of the African Union commission to get status reports on their activities with particular reference to trade regulations, tariff laws, immigration rules, regulations and laws.
2. Invite NEPAD secretariat two days prior to the plenary to brief the committee on their programmes and Strategy on tariff laws, trade customs and immigration.
3. Visit different economic sub-groupings: Southern Africa Developing Communities (SADC), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), etc. with a view to discussing sub-groupings interrelationships and coordination in areas of the Technical Credit Insurance Consultants (TCIC) mandate.
4. Workshop with representative of the World Trade Organisation to discuss Doha round and agriculture subsidies and non-trade barriers.

1. Assessing, through meetings, the situation in each area of jurisdiction of the Committee.
2. Making an inventory of all Conventions, Agreements, Protocols and Treaties governing the various domains.
3. Study New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD’s) programmes and Projects Relevant to the Committee’s Activities.