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{
    "id": 76695,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/76695/?format=api",
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    "content": "The delegation fully participated in the deliberations of the Ordinary Session and the sittings of the permanent committees of the Pan-African Parliament. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the delegation is grateful to the office of the Speaker for providing the necessary facilitation and the technical support to enable it participate in the deliberations of the Pan-African Parliament. However, as we were preparing this Report the office of the Speaker informed us that the office had received a letter from Mrs. Rachel Shebesh, MP, who has resigned her membership of the Pan-African Parliament. We call for her replacement. I wish to point out that the Protocol establishing the Pan-African Parliament requires a minimum of one woman in the national delegation and the nominating parties are notified that Mrs. Shebesh will have to be replaced by another lady Member. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, going to the details of our activities at the Pan-African Parliament on the opening session, Parliament received messages of solidarity from various institutions. These included among others, the former President Hassan Mwinyi, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Director, the Minister for International Corporation of South Africa and the Governor of Gauteng Province where the Parliament sits. These messages of solidarity are a support to this young Parliament which is the Second Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament. It continues to give guidance and provides for integration of Africa. One of the key activities of the Pan-African Government in this session was the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of a number of African States which I would like to list given that we were colonized for a very long time by the powers that you very well know. A number of countries like Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote de’ Voire, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Mauritius, Senegal, Nigeria, Somalia, Chad and Togo did celebrate their 50th anniversary of independence. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, you know Kenya has three years or so to celebrate that 50th anniversary. As we celebrate this and as Kenya approaches that day we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence, we now need to reflect on what our achievements have been in terms of improving the lives of our people. This is because that is the key objective for fighting for Independence. However, as you will realize, Africa is still inflicted with the worst cases of poverty, high infant mortality rate, high maternal mortality rate and persistent conflict which is not what we aspired to achieve at the time we were fighting for Independence. Some of the activities that the Pan-African Parliament also undertook as one of its core responsibilities was to ensure or make sure that the treaties that AU member States sign are ratified. One of those key treaties is the Charter for Democracy and Elections in Africa. As you will realize, this is key because every African State claims that they are democratic yet the culture of democracy has not sunk very well. In the end, you find situations where elections are not properly conducted and we end up having organized elections as opposed to a proper democratic electoral process. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, the latest is Conakry Guinea where after going through a very hard process and a run-off, the opposition won and there is already a curfew in that country. We have very serious conflicts and this is not in the interest of democracy. I think Kenya is in the process of ratification but has not deposited the instruments of ratification yet. Therefore, as a country it is important that we bind ourselves through this process of ratification to ensure that we comply with the African Charter on Democracy and Elections."
}