The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Day was commemorated on Saturday at the institution’s headquarters in Midrand, South Africa, an occasion to retrace the origin and context of the establishment of the PAP which is celebrating its 19th anniversary.
The day, which coincides with the date of March 18, corresponds to the date of the inauguration of the first Parliament on March 18, 2004 at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This PAP Day was first commemorated in 2021 to bring the continental Parliament to the attention of citizens and to generate discussion on its future.
The 19-year celebration of the PAP included musical performances by the African Cultural Music and Dance Association (ACUMDA) and a presentation by Professor Motshekga Mathole of the Kara Heritage Institute on African culture and heritage.
The establishment of the PAP, as an organ of the AU, is a crucial and historic step in strengthening the institutional architecture of the AU in the service of democratic governance and oversight at the AU.
In this way, the PAP has provided a formal platform for the peoples of Africa to engage in discussions and decision-making on issues affecting the continent.