More than 40 speakers from African countries debated the Activity Report of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) at its Fifth Ordinary Session at the Gallagher Conference Centre in Midrand on Tuesday.

The report was presented by PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang who explained that African integration was essential before inviting speakers to discuss their priorities and concerns.

Gambia congratulated PAP for working towards the removal of sanctions on Sudan and called for more commitment to action while urging an investigation into high youth unemployment and migration from the continent.

Burundi pleaded for international cooperation between PAP and international partners before pleading for PAP’s support against sanctions being imposed on the country by the Europeans following allegations of mass human rights abuses.

Burkina Faso thanked PAP members for support after Islamist militants carried out attacks on the Istanbul Cafe in the capital Ouagadougou earlier in the year, which killed at least 18 people, including locals and foreigners.

It recommended that PAP invest more efforts in fighting terrorism and extremism in the Sahel region, saying these attacks effected development among other negative consequences.

The expansion of local and regional parliaments to allow more autonomy in making their own decisions and more involvement in the consultative process of PAP was Cape Verde’s recommendation. It also suggested negotiations between the African Union (AU) and the European Union, post the 2000 Cotonou Agreement - a treaty between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States - should be based on safeguarding African interests.

Mauritius lamented the lack of progress in the report in regards to securing alternative sources of financing beyond the AU. The Island country also called for the strengthening of the AU parliament with other African parliaments.

The need to develop a common and united approach to problems between Africa and US President Donald Trump’s administration was underlined by Guinea Conakry.

Egypt thanked the PAP for standing by the North African country during a sensitive time when it was fighting terrorism and said that when Africa speaks the world listens.