JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (XOL Africa) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a stronger and more empowered Pan-African Parliament to advance Africa’s unity, democratic governance and sustainable development, describing it as “the democratic voice of more than 1.5 billion Africans.”
Addressing the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament, Ramaphosa urged African parliamentarians to translate the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into tangible results by strengthening oversight, promoting constitutional governance and accelerating implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“The Pan-African Parliament is the democratic voice of more than 1.5 billion Africans,” Ramaphosa said.
He said Africa’s future must be shaped through stronger continental institutions, deeper regional integration and collective action.
Highlighting the African Union’s 2026 theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” Ramaphosa described access to clean water and safe sanitation as a fundamental human right. He called for greater investment, stronger legislation and enhanced parliamentary oversight to address the continent’s water challenges.
Ramaphosa also reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to Pan-Africanism, peace, democracy and multilateral cooperation, while renewing calls for the ratification of the Malabo Protocol to strengthen the legislative mandate of the Pan-African Parliament and enhance its role in advancing the African Union’s integration agenda.
He challenged members of the Seventh Legislature to ensure that the parliament’s legacy is measured not only by the resolutions it adopts but by the “real and lasting improvements” it delivers in the lives of people across Africa.
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