African Unification Front
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29 March 2005
President Mongella Officially Opens the African Parliament's Third Session
The President of the African Union, Gertrude Mongella, officially opened the Third Session of the Pan-African Parliament at Africa's administrative capital, Midrand, SA. This session marks the first full year of operation since the PAP was launched in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This Session of parliament will end on 11 April, 2004. The opening of the Third Session also marked the launch of the Pan-African Parliament website.
The theme of the third session is "One Africa, One Voice", the same as it was in the last session. Perhaps this theme will be retained for all future sessions. It seems to be popular with members of parliament.
Speaking at the opening of the third session of the PAP at Gallagher Estate, in Midrand, this morning, President Mongella said Africans are addressing the conflict in Darfur, "because Africa decided to deal with Africa's problems". Mongella spoke of the past year's progress considering PAP being in its infancy stage, saying that they continue to promote peace, security and human rights and have stood up to the challenges brought to them. She said that issues on the agenda for the session includes creating harmony and unity on the continent.
Dances at Opening of Parliamentary Session
 Mongella said the African Parliament is trying to embrace the socio-economic problems of the continent and to restore the dignity of the people, and to promote the human rights of the people of Africa. Mongella said the parliament "must strive to throw our voices to ensure that people of Africa are a force to be reckoned with". The African Parliament is "happening and continuing to happen", said Mongella.
Baleka Mbete, PAP member from the AU state of South Africa also addressed the parliament. Mbete said "Africa is determined to reclaim every inch of the continent, every inch of soil that belongs to us". He reiterated that with "One Africa, One Voice, we should ensure that on critical issues, we must be able to come here and unite in one African voice".
The members will also be choosing the African Parliament's fourth Vice-President following the passing of AU Vice President Jerome Sacca Kina Guezere last year. This session will deliberate on the parliament's budget for the 2005 fiscal year, its management structures, and reports on peace and security development in Africa - paying special attention to the situation in Darfur.
AU Vice-President Fernando Jose de Franca arrives [Centre]
 Africa's legislators will also take time to discuss the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) and the African Peer Review Mechanism. The lawmakers will further talk about progress regarding the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and debate the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.
The special report by the parliamentary committee on rural economy, agriculture, natural resources and the environment will also be tabled. The members are also expected to engage on the challenges facing Africa's communication and transport sectors.
The programme for the opening day:
09:30 – 09:35 Traditional Welcome
09:35 – 10:00 Arrival of Guests, Parliamentary Speakers and Bureau members
10:00 – 10:10 Ceremony begins Meditation and Personal Prayer
10:10 – 10:40 Solidarity Speeches
10:40 – 11:45 Keynote Address (by H.E Gertrude I Mongella, MP, President of the PAP) Drummers' Performance
11:45 - Lunch Launch of the website and cocktail
(Programme concludes)
17:00 – 17:45 Media Briefing by the Bureau (President and Vice-Presidents) at the Lotus
Below is the Agenda for the Third Session (daily programmes will be provided at the media briefing)
Agenda for the Third Session
1. Official Opening of the Third Session by HE Gertrude Mongella, President of the PAP
2. Election of the 4th Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament
3. President's Annual Report on the operations of the PAP
4. Report on the Approved 2005 PAP Budget
5. Establishment of the PAP Trust Fund
6. Consideration and approval of the management structure of the PAP
7. Peace and Security in Africa
i. Darfur
ii. Report by the African Union Commission
8. Consideration and approval of the 2005 PAP Work Plan
9. Report on the implementation of NEPAD's African Peer Review Mechanism
10. Towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals in Africa
11. Debate and Resolutions on the Reform of the UN Security Council
12. Resolving Communication and Transport problems in Africa
13. Special Report by the Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment
14. Combating Aids in Africa.
END
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