Africa: A continental institution harnessing “One Africa, One Voice”

The Pan African Parliament is meeting in its fifth ordinary session, and is starting to address the magnitude of its challenges. A long-time dream of African political parties, individuals and institutions, the continental parliament now meets in South Africa twice a year, and in previous sessions has been debating largely the questions of logistics and resources for its own viability. The parliament is advisory for the first five years, not legislative, and thus faces the challenge of being taken seriously in its deliberations and interventions. However, one of the first indications that this body intends to be pro-active was its recent fact-finding mission to the Darfur region of Sudan, which recommended a larger and stronger role for the African Union in finding and keeping peace there.