03/07/2024
Pan African Parliament Plenary Reviews Reports on Revised OAU Convention to Eliminate Mercenaries and the Status of Peace and Security in
The plenary of the Pan-African Parliament convened on the morning of July 2, 2024, to deliberate on the Zero Draft of the Revised OAU Convention for the Elimination of Mercenaries in Africa. This session was led by the Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolution, presenting the outcomes of a joint meeting with the Committee on Justice and Human Rights and the Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline held on June 27.
The Chairperson of the Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Dr. Sherif Gabaly, reiterated the committee's mandate under Section 26 4C of the Laws and Processes of the African Parliament, which includes evaluating protocols and treaties within the African Union and providing substantial inputs to the Parliament.
"In collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security of the African Union, we organized a session aligned with the revised OAU Convention on the elimination of mercenaries in Africa," stated Dr. Gabaly. He also acknowledged the contributions of experts from the African Commission, namely Ms. Jocelyne Nahimana and Mr. Samory Badona Monterio from the African Union Commission (AUC) Department of Political Affairs, who provided parliamentarians with comprehensive insights into the convention. They emphasized that mercenarism is a distinct crime of aggression and highlighted its prohibition within the security services by the African Union.
The plenary heard that the joint session enjoyed a robust exchange of views among the committees’ parliamentarians, who underscored the relevance of the revised convention in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by mercenarism. It was also heard that they highlighted the hand of foreign entities in the recruitment and training of mercenaries, particularly in regions with fragile security systems. The discussions culminated in 4 recommendations presented as follows:
Accelerate Ratification: Urging African Union Member States to expedite the ratification process of the revised convention in light of the imminent threats posed by mercenarism.
Strengthen Security Systems: Emphasizing the need for robust national security frameworks to effectively counter mercenarism.
Foster Cooperation: Prioritizing bilateral and multilateral military cooperation to address the complexities of mercenarism.
Invest in National Armies: Advocating for substantial investments in national defense forces to reduce dependency on private security services.
In his detailed presentation to the plenary, Mr. Christopher Suna Kayoshe, Head of Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration in the Security Sector Reform Division of the African Union Commission, provided an overview of the historical and contemporary dynamics of mercenarism. He pointed out that the original convention, adopted in 1977, was primarily focused on countering colonial and foreign domination. However, the current landscape, characterized by the rise of private military companies (PMCs), necessitates a revised approach.
"The essence of revising this convention lies in addressing the loopholes that allow mercenaries and PMCs to operate with impunity, often destabilizing legitimate governments and impeding socio-economic development," Mr. Kayoshe stated. He highlighted the need for regulatory mechanisms and enforcement strategies to tackle these modern challenges effectively.
Mr. Kayoshe also drew attention to the broader geopolitical implications of mercenarism, noting that African nationals are increasingly being recruited to fight in conflicts outside the continent, as evidenced by recent developments in Ukraine. "The proliferation of mercenaries and affiliated groups undermines regional stability and poses significant obstacles to achieving lasting peace in Africa," he added.
Another segment of Hon. Dr. Gabaly covered the committee’s report of the meeting on the Status of Peace and Security in Africa held on Tuesday, June 25. Among organizations that engaged parliamentarians, was Afrobarometer, a network of African scholars conducting regular public opinion surveys on governance, human rights, peace, and security.
The Committee Chairperson presented to the plenary concerning findings contributing to conflict in include economic inefficiency, rising youth unemployment, poverty, lack of social services and a significant public distrust in democratic institutions, with 47% of citizens expressing a lack of confidence, often leading to a preference for military regimes over democratic governance.
The Chairperson went on to inform the plenary of the AU Department of Political Affairs Peace and Security (AUPAPS) prioritization in 2024 of resolving crises in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Eastern Congo, and the Greater Sahel region. He underscored the importance of the enhanced collaboration between the AUPAPS and the Pan-African Parliament, aiming to avoid threats to peace through a knowledge-based approach in peace consolidation and conflict resolution.
In light of the multifaceted nature of conflicts threatening Africa's peace and security, the committee members made several recommendations:
Strengthening democracy and the rule of law in African Union member states.
Combating poverty and youth alienation.
Ensuring the provision of social services to populations.
Strengthening national unity and fighting corruption.
Guaranteeing democratic regime change.
Avoiding foreign intervention in internal affairs.
Combating all forms of imperialism to prevent conflicts in Africa.
The Permanent Committee on Cooperation, International Relations, and Conflict Resolution of the Pan-African Parliament further recommends the establishment of a security fund for peace initiatives, stressing the importance of reducing financial dependence on Western powers and utilizing Africa's natural resources to finance programs and projects. For the African Union’s quasi-Legislative Organ, it is essential to establish robust cooperation with the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Commission, devise effective methods to address current challenges from national parliaments, and organize parliamentary missions in conflict zones and election monitoring, which are crucial for the committee's mandate but currently hindered by financial constraints.to support countries striving for peace and stability.
The plenary presentation concluded with Chairperson Hon. Dr. Sherif Gabaly urged Pan-African Parliament MPs to advocate for its ratification within their national parliaments. The revised convention aims to regulate private military companies (PMCs), address governance and human rights concerns, and strengthen Africa's resilience against mercenaries. This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving peace and stability in Africa, aligning with the African Union's 2024 theme, "Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century."
Following the presentation, African Parliamentarians engaged in a robust debate, offering further recommendations for the committee to submit to experts for the amendment of the OAU Convention for the Elimination of Mercenarism in Africa. They underscored the importance of a comprehensive and enforceable framework that addresses the multifaceted nature of mercenarism, including its economic, political, and security dimensions.
WATCH DEBATE HERE: https://www.youtube.com/live/uv2c4W7_2ig?si=vfX0ZrdNfERpyAlX
