Africa's parliamentarians must add beef to the pap

This research paper argues that the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) must transition from a consultative body that endorses executive decisions to an active oversight institution to improve governance and accountability across Africa.

• The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has failed to fully utilize its oversight function, acting more as an assembly that endorses executive decisions rather than investigating poor management at national and continental levels. While it lacks legislative power in its early years, it can still debate continental issues and provide recommendations to the African Union Commission and Heads of State.
• The PAP has not fully leveraged the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Although it passed a resolution urging governments to join the APRM, it has failed to compel MPs from reviewed countries to report on the implementation of national action plans, despite the requirement that review reports and plans be tabled in the PAP.
• The PAP exhibits inconsistency in challenging governance failures; it commended the AU for preventing an unconstitutional takeover in Togo but remained silent regarding reported election guideline abuses in Zimbabwe's March election.
• The selection process for PAP representatives is criticized for lacking democratic credibility, specifically citing the inclusion of representatives from Libya, which has no national assembly, and Uganda, described as effectively a one-party state. Additionally, South Africa has been criticized for excluding the official opposition from its delegation.
• To improve efficiency and accountability, the PAP should scrutinize the budgets of African Union organs, including the Peace and Security Council and the AU Commission, to reduce wastage and streamline bureaucracies.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2008). Africa's parliamentarians must add beef to the pap. https://saiia.org.za/research/africas-parliamentarians-must-add-beef-to-the-pap/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Africa's parliamentarians must add beef to the pap. 2008. https://saiia.org.za/research/africas-parliamentarians-must-add-beef-to-the-pap/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Africa's parliamentarians must add beef to the pap |date=25 April 2008 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/africas-parliamentarians-must-add-beef-to-the-pap/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2008africas, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Africa's parliamentarians must add beef to the pap}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2008}, month = apr, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/africas-parliamentarians-must-add-beef-to-the-pap/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }