WINDHOEK – New Era (NE) Senior Journalist, Albertina Nakale, caught up with Member of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) and Vice Chairman of its Committee on Rules and Privileges, Professor Peter Katjavivi(PK) to talk about the activities of the organisation.
The PAP, also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union and held its inaugural session in March 2004. The PAP exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers. Initially the seat of the Pan-African Parliament was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, but it was later moved to Midrand, South Africa.
NE: Honorable Katjavivi, can you share with the Namibian public how you view the work of the PAP as the Vice Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Privileges in terms of genuinely addressing the concerns and needs of ordinary Africans at grassroots level?
PK:I became a member of PAP in 2010 and only became a vice chairman of this particular committee last year (2012). This is a committee, which is responsible for the discipline or conduct, as well as the welfare or opportunities that are supposed to facilitate the duties of the members. This committee is the equivalent of our own Parliamentary Standing Committee on Privileges. Legal issues are referred to this committee and definitely my experience as a member of a similar committee in the Namibian National Assembly comes in handy, while I am performing my duties in PAP. Recently, the PAP Committee on Rules and Privileges completed a major exercise in the form of a Code of Conduct that also covers the declaration of assets of members. As vice chair, I had the honour to lead the presentation of this important document before the plenary of the PAP.
NE: What do you think are the main issues that have been enjoying the attention of PAP during your tenure as vice chair and how has PAP been able to deal with them?
PK: Many issues including the question of transforming the PAP from its advisory role to a legislative body; African integration and promoting the vision of One Africa, One Voice in terms of inter-Africa trade and other forms of cooperation in a number of fields. All these issues are tackled on the basis of decisions taken by the African Union and the PAP is there to exercise an oversight responsibility to ensure their smooth implementation and overall progress.
NE: How does PAP inform the Namibian Parliament from which you hail and vice verse in terms of addressing the real issues that concern the masses?
PK: After every sitting, the PAP produces a report, which is shared by all member parliaments, through their various representative delegations to the PAP. The members in the delegation then have the onus to present these reports in their respective parliaments, when they get back home through the leader of the delegation to the PAP. Background information is also deposited by the delegation in their respective parliamentary libraries for a wider readership.
NE: Don’t you think there is duplication between PAP and national parliaments?
PK: No, there is no duplication. Rather, they are complimenting each other and it involves a great deal of sharing experiences, which in turn benefit national parliaments. National parliaments deal with issues directly linked to the grassroots masses back home, whereas the PAP deals with the wider picture of streamlining regional and continental benchmarks so as to smoothen the work of national parliaments, as well as to safeguard the interests of the entire continent.
NE: And do you think the necessary synergy exists between PAP and national parliaments?
PK: Indeed, there is synergy. For example continental success stories and challenges on the question of the Millennium Development Goals or MDGs, the question of tackling HIV/AIDs, especially in the administration of funds like the Global Fund, poverty reduction, food and freshwater security, EPAs, infrastructure developments, et cetera.
NE: Do you think PAP is receiving the necessary visibility in the media?
PK: We should promote the visibility of PAP. More needs to be done in its member countries. The whole essence of a continental African government as advocated by Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana was like a dream, which today has come true. PAP is a major step in the fulfillment of that dream. It is the duty of PAP, as well as member countries to promote the vision of One Africa, One Voice.
NE: How can this visibility be enhanced?
PK: We, as members of the PAP have a duty to report back to the citizens of our various countries through arrangements like this one where we are given opportunities through the press to let people know what transpires within the PAP. Likewise, media houses in our various countries should dedicate special journalists to cover developments related to the PAP and appropriately inform the public.
NE: How is the Namibian parliament responding to gender-based violence, particularly that which is directed against women and girls?
PK: Various laws have been passed and various motions have been tabled in the Namibian Parliament in this regard. At the end of the day, legal matters are interpreted in the courts of law. So, it is the duty of the courts to take a radical stance on this matter so as to totally discourage the would-be perpetrators.
NE: The public is of the opinion that Namibian laws are lenient towards perpetrators, what is your personal view?
PK: This is a matter that can only be managed if all citizens in the country promote a culture of zero-tolerance to gender-based violence. If there are citizens who feel that not enough has been done, they are free to petition Parliament on specific legislation, which they feel is not good enough for the safety of the citizens in relation to gender-based violence.
NE: Do you think PAP is on track in terms of the fulfillment of women’s aspirations?
PK: Indeed the PAP Code of Conduct is very strong on gender equality and respect as compared to national parliaments.
NE: And how do you compare the influence of PAP parliamentarians in terms of influencing high level decisions to promote the welfare of women, children and vulnerable groups and to mobilise all stakeholders to achieve such objectives compared to national parliaments, and in particular our National Assembly of which you are also a member?
PK: The regional parliament, PAPO has done a great deal of work in promoting gender equality amongst parliamentarians. A number of initiatives have been undertaken to ensure that we mainstream gender in the things that we do. The same has applied to the question of strengthening the significance of youth empowerment. Today, for example, Namibia has embarked upon the implementation of the 50/50 representation within the Swapo Party of Namibia, which is the majority party in Parliament, as well as having a vibrant youth parliament.
NE: How do you envisage the work of PAP in terms of the upliftment and empowerment of the grassroots in the future?
PK: The PAP is interested in hearing progress reports from the various national parliaments, which deal with grassroots masses on the question of achieving MDGs and beyond 2015, as well as women and youth empowerment. National parliaments deal with grassroots masses and PAP deals with national parliaments and issues that aim at promoting inter-Africa cooperation and wellbeing.
NE: And how do you see the broader masses enhancing the work of PAP and working closely with PAP parliamentarians for empowerment to become a reality?
PK: Once again, let me reiterate that national parliaments deal with grassroots masses and PAP deals with national parliaments and issues that aim at promoting inter-Africa cooperation and wellbeing. The masses have a right to petition the PAP. However, their individual voices can better be heard through their national parliaments rather than through the PAP, unless if the issues under discussion are of a regional or continental nature.
By Albertina Nakale