Anti Social Media

Academia Letters, 2021

ABSTRACT As the 21st century dawned, African leaders knew that issuing of resolutions, declarations and protocols under the auspices of the Organization of African Union (OAU), without developing continental institutions to implement them amounted to exercises in futility. In Sirte, 1999, the leaders resolved to build a more united and strong Africa that would accelerate the pace of socio-economic development, and promote human dignity and the economic emancipation of the continent, albeit hurriedly. The African Union (AU) was launched in 2002 in Lusaka, Zambia, promising more bottom-up approaches to governance in Africa than what obtained under the OAU. It emphasizes civil society participation and condemning unconstitutional government changes. As part of its strategies to implement the changes, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), was born on 18 March 2004. It is mandated with the role of bringing together African parliaments to openly debate common issues and make recommendations to help in making decisions as opposed to leaving Heads of States to do all the work as it awaits its full legislative powers. This dissertation is an exploration of this important institution which is evolving largely in obscurity to the African peoples. It will highlight PAP’s history, the role of a parliament and a comparative overview of the European Parliament (EP) as a supranational institution that PAP is trying to emulate. The study particularly analyzes PAP’s role and its performance, challenges and its future prospects. The case studies used are the Darfur fact finding mission, the 2008 Zimbabwe harmonized elections and the grand debate for a Union Government and the United States of Africa. Major issues to be discussed include the pending granting of PAP’s legislative powers by AU, its role in conflict resolution and continental integration, state sovereignty and political will of leaders, and funding of PAP among other issues. Some conclusions and recommendations based on findings are given in closing the study.

The Protocol to the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community relating to the Pan African Parliament adopted in 2001 in Sirte established the Pan African Parliament (PAP). This Protocol has so far been ratified by 47 AU member states. PAP’s objective was to foster unity across Africa’s religious, ethnic, cultural, and ideological divides, promoting rule of law, human rights, democratic culture, and good governance across the continent. There is consensus –albeit tentatively – that while the normative and ideological foundations behind PAP’s formation were laudable, the PAP is yet to fully achieve its objectives. There have been some progressive steps towards reforming its modus operandi. However, as a supra-continental body through which Africans citizens express their will, PAP is still better placed to leverage on its strengths and strategic capabilities to fully wheel Africa’s development agenda.

2008

Journal of Law Policy and Globalization, 2013

2003

This article discusses the future Pan-African Parliament, one of the organs of the AU provided for under its Constitutive Act. The OAU adopted the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament in March 2001. Its purpose is to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent. So far only 15 states have ratified the Protocol; 24 out of 47 AEC member states must ratify the Protocol before it can enter into force. The Parliament, consisting of members elected or designated by national parliaments, will have an advisory function in the 'first stage'. It will later also have legislative power, which will be needed if the Parliament is to provide a credible democratic foundation for the AU.

African Yearbook of International Law Online / Annuaire Africain de droit international Online, 2011

Nordic Journal of African Studies, 2004

This article argues that good governance has been elusive in much of Africa. The failure of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) to address Africa’s developmental challenges, including the crisis of governance, led to its demise. In an attempt to promote good governance, as well as to address Africa’s post-cold war legion of challenges, the successor organisation, the African Union (AU) and its attendant development programme, the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD), were established. These projects embody an innovative peer review mechanism by which African governments are assessed in terms of their progress towards good governance. Countries passing the review test would be rewarded with western aid. NEPAD, the AU and the review mechanism have exited hope because of the expectation that these would reorder governance policies in Africa. However, the article contends that in spite of the expectations and euphoria generated by these projects, they have a truncated ca...

2008

2000