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PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT

PARLEMENT PANAFRICAIN

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PARLAMENTO PAN-AFRICANO

COMMUNIQUE

THIRD PAN AFRICAN SPEAKERS CONFERENCE

HELD IN MIDRAND - SOUTH AFRICA

17 – 18 TH OCTOBER 2O11

We the Speakers of Member Parliaments of the African Union meeting on 17 and 18 October 2011 for the Third Speakers’ Conference at the Pan African Parliament – Midrand South Africa:

Guided by Article 2 (3) of the Protocol establishing the PAP which indicates that the ultimate aim of the PAP shall be to evolve into an institution with legislative powers in defined domains; Cognizant of the need to strengthen the effectiveness of the Pan African Parliament as an oversight body by giving it legislative powers; Committed to implementing the AU Decision to review the Protocol to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan African Parliament; Encourage all Parliaments to ratify all the Decisions passed by the African Union Heads of State and Governments; Are alarmed at the famine in Somalia and the scale of human suffering; Plead as a consequence of the famine to all Governments and the Peoples in Africa to mobilize human, technical and financial resources to assist the people in Somalia; Express gratitude to the African Union, Governments, peoples, and aid agencies currently working in Somalia,

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Emphasize the need for one African voice in addressing the challenges currently affecting Africa including famine, issues of governance, and climate change; Reaffirms the oversight responsibility of Parliaments towards the achievement of Millennium Development Goals including those pertaining to maternal health and child mortality; Taking note of the progress made on the Review of the Protocol establishing the PAP; Now, therefore, we, the Speakers of national, regional and continental Parliaments of AU member states meeting in Midrand, South Africa on the 18th October 2011 hereby resolve as follows;

1. On the Review of the Protocol establishing the PAP That the Regional and National Parliaments of the African Union Member States affirm their support for the review of the Protocol establishing the PAP and acknowledge the significance of the outcome of the process towards democratization of Africa;

That Speakers in national Parliaments sensitize their respective National Parliaments on the issues of convergence as agreed by the different stakeholders including the sovereign equality principle; membership to the PAP; female membership, length of tenure, and legislative powers.

2. On the Ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance Mindful of the need to have 15 ratifications by the end of 2011 to bring the African Charter into force;

Applauding the member states that have ratified to date,

Recognizing the need to have two additional signatures to reach the required number of ratifications;

Resolve that the Speakers through appropriate structures become Champions in their national Parliaments to ensure speedy signing and ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance by the end of 2011.

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3. On the Global Power Women Network

That Parliaments are sensitized to the objectives of the Global Power Women Network- an initiative seeking to ensure the achievement of Millennium Development goals pertaining to women and children

4. On Africa’s Position on Climate Change

Mindful of the role of Parliaments in representing the peoples of Africa,

Aware of the AU position on climate change;

Concerned on the progress to date on issues of climate change and the approach of developed countries on the matter;

Further Cognizant of the forthcoming meeting in Durban in 2012;

Resolve that all Speakers conscientize national Parliaments on the need to have a position which focuses on accepting the Kyoto principles; establish an adaptation Committee; and focus on the financial commitments to Africa;

5. On Youth Empowerment and Maternal and Child Health

Cognizant of the resolution passed by the Pan African Parliament on 13 October 2011:

Resolve to adopt the resolution to prioritize policy and budget support for implementation of African Union Summit Decisions, in particular the Malabo July 2011 Summit Decision on the Summit theme of “Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development; and the Kampala July 2010 Summit Declaration on the Summit theme of “Actions on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Development in Africa”

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