October 2016 22nd Issue

Special Edition Our Continent Africa is a periodical on the current 150 Years of Egypt’s Parliament political, economic, and cultural developments in Africa issued by In this issue ...... 1 Foreign Information Sector, State Information Service. Editorial by H. E. Ambassador Salah A. Elsadek, Chair- man of State Information Service ...... 2-3 Chairman Salah A. Elsadek Constitutional and Parliamentary Life in Egypt

By Mohamed Anwar and Sherine Maher Editor-in-Chief Abd El-Moaty Abouzed History of Egyptian Constitutions ...... 4 Parliamentary Speakers since Inception till Deputy Editor-in-Chief Fatima El-Zahraa Mohamed Ali Current ...... 11 Speaker of the House of Representatives Managing Editor Mohamed Ghreeb (Documentary Profile) ...... 15 Pan-African Parliament By Mohamed Anwar Deputy Managing Editor Mohamed Anwar and Shaima Atwa

Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Supporting As- Translation & Editing Nashwa Abdel Hamid pirations and Ambitions of African Nations 18 Layout Profile of Former Presidents of Pan-African Gamal Mahmoud Ali Parliament ...... 27 Current PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang, a We make every effort to keep our Closer Look ...... 31 pages current and informative. Please let us know of any Women in Egyptian and African Parliaments, comments and suggestions you an endless march of accomplishments ...... 32 have for improving our magazine. [email protected] Editorial

This special issue of “Our Continent Africa” Magazine coincides with Egypt’s celebrations marking the inception of parliamentary life 150 years ago (1688-2016) including numerous func- tions atop of which come the convening of ses- sions of both the Pan-African Parliament and the Arab Parliament in the infamous city of Sharm el-Sheikh. This issue is designed and dedicated to celebrate this historic event out of conviction of the editorial board of “Our Continent Africa” (“Afriqiya qartna”) Magazine of the importance of strong ties binding Egypt and African nations.

Egypt is and will always be proud of its African roots as stipulated in Ar- ticle 1 of Part I of Egypt’s 2014 Constitution stating “The Arab Republic of Egypt is a sovereign, united, indivisible State, where no part may be given up, having a democratic republican system that is based on citizenship and rule of law. The Egyptian people are part of the Arab nation seeking to enhance its integration and unity. Egypt is part of the Islamic world, belongs to the African continent, cherishes its Asian dimension, and contributes to building human civilization.”

Egypt is a country that is proud of its African identity and one of the found- ing states of the African Union. After President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi assumed office in June 2014, the African Union lifted Egypt’s suspension. Egyptian di- plomacy did play a big role towards that goal. Since assuming office, President el-Sisi has been keen on participating in the African Union summits to help re- store Egypt’s status in Africa in general, and in the Nile Basin region in particu- lar. In July 2014, the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD) was established to push forward cooperation with Africa via providing techni- cal expertise to African countries in all fields. Egypt was also elected a member for a three-year term at the African Union Peace and Security Council, having secured the support of 47 African countries.

The issue at hand sheds light on the current House of Representatives, history of constitutional and parliamentary life in Egypt as well as the Pan- African Parliament, its presidents and the most important proceedings of its consecutive sessions. The issue celebrates African women accomplishments in the Continent’s parliaments.

The current issue also recognizes the important role of the founding fathers of liberation movements across the continent like Gamal Abdel-Nasser, Ahmed Sékou Touré, Patrice Lumumba, Leopold Senghor, Julius Nyerere, Kwame Nkrumah, Hawari Boumadyan and Nelson Mandela to name but a few. Their struggle and great sacrifices for freedom and independent is a reminder of the necessity of joining efforts to further promote the values of humanity and free- dom so that Africa can assume its rightful place at the international level, thus becoming a continent for peace, prosperity and welfare for all nations given the economic, human, cultural and natural potentials Africa has.

“Our Continent Africa” Magazine welcomes Egypt’s guests from peace- loving African, Arab and Western countries to this international gathering in Sharm el-Sheikh wishing everyone a pleasant stay in their second homeland Egypt, the mother of the world and the cradle of civilization. It is our hope that the gathering of world parliamentarians at the celebration will provide a useful opportunity to deliberate upon issues of mutual interest and send a message of tolerance and fraternity.

Ambassador Salah A. Elsadek

Chairman, State Information Service

Egypt’s constitutions in history

Egypt is known for having one of the they did not impose a real obligation on earliest administrative and legislative the government. Still, the bylaws of 1866 codes in history. Throughout its history, were a step towards devolving governance formidable human cultures and civiliza- in Egypt away from the hands of a single tions were incepted, and brought into be- ruler. In 1882 under Khedive Tawfik, a ing, offering the most advanced form of constitutional document was drafted and governance and management. Pharaonic it paved the way for the 1923 constitution. civilization laid down the groundwork in Constitution of 1882 Egypt in terms of governance and manage- ment. Egypt’s constitutional experience The promulgation of the 1882 Constitu- started under Mohammed Ali Pasha in tion was the result of populist demands. the 19th century. This document allowed Previous eras were limited to bylaws or for the establishment of some representa- the “Siyasetname”, issued under Muham- tive council known as “Dawaween”, but mad Ali to regulate the public affairs of it was never a fully fledged constitution in the country. They were not constitutions the contemporary sense of the word. In in a technical sense as they were limited to 1866 under Khedive Ismail, the first rep- purely administrative matters. The Con- resentative council was established and its stitution of 1882 created the first Egyp- bylaws were gifted from the Khedive, so tian parliamentary representation - pre- )4( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 vious councils had been only consultative. following differences distinguish the con- Prime Minister Sherif Pasha was delegat- stitution of 1923 from the 1882 Constitu- ed to draft the constitution, but because tion: It recognized the separation of three of mounting disputes he did not remain in powers, the executive, judiciary, and legis- power to witness its ratification. His suc- lative, established a bicameral system with cessor, Prime Minster Mahmud Sami El two councils: the Senate, with a consulta- Baroudi, presented the new constitution, tive function, and the Council of Repre- which was passed by the House of Repre- sentatives, with a legislative function. It sentatives, ratified by the Khedive, and of- detailed many rights and freedoms omit- ficially declared in force on February 8, ted from previous constitutions. Examples 1882. The 1882 Constitution declared two include: regulation of nationality rights, authorities in the state, the executive and the right to resort to the judicial system, legislative branches. It assigned the task of and the right to freely practice one’s reli- debating and endorsing the state budget to gion. It regulated the issuance of laws and the Parliament. It also outlined the pow- ministerial oversight more elaborately ers and responsibilities of the executive than its predecessors. It is characterized branch and completely excluded the Khe- by its emphasis on the sovereignty of the dive from any type of oversight. It affirmed Egyptian nation. Although the draft Con- the sovereignty of the nation over the state stitutions of 1879, 1882, and 1923 were and affirmed that the nation is not subject written in response to popular demand, to hereditary rule. Among the disadvan- they were issued as a grant from the ruler, tages of this constitution was that it was none of them submitted the head of state issued via Khedival decree, to the people. to any type of oversight or accountability. It also ignored the judiciary and consid- And, it allowed the King to ratify laws. If ered it to be a sub-category of the execu- the king rejected a draft law, it required a tive power. This constitution was repealed two-thirds majority to pass. after the British occupation of Egypt and Constitution of 1930 the issuing of the bylaws in 1883. The Constitution of 1930 was the con- Constitution of 1923 stitution of Egypt from 1930 to 1935. It The Constitution of 1923 was a consti- replaced the Constitution of 1923 until tution of Egypt from 1923–1952. It was the Constitution of 1923 was restored in replaced by the Constitution of 1930 for 1935. King Fouad issued a royal decree to a 5-year period before being restored in repeal the 1923 Constitution, and replace 1935. It adopted the parliamentary rep- it with the 1930 constitution, drafted by resentative system based on separation of the government of Ismail Sidky Pasha to and cooperation among authorities. The strengthen the powers of the king at the

)5( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 expense of the Parliament. The authority the abolition of the monarchy, the procla- of the parliament had increased due to mation of a Republic, and the inaugura- the control of the Wafd Party and other tion of Major General Mohamed Naguib political parties over the reins of the state. as President of the Republic on June 18, While the new 1930 Constitution retained 1953. many of the 1923 articles, it added several Constitution of 1954 items increasing the powers of the king to counter the growing influence of the liber- This provisional constitution was issued al Wafd party in Parliament. For example, in 1954 and was rejected by the Revolu- it gave the right to propose financial laws tionary Command Council, although it to the King alone and not to the Senate. was drafted by cross-section of fifty lead- On March 12, 1935, under public pressure ing politicians, and legal and economic ex- and in what became known as the “Cairo perts. Uprising,” the King abolished the 1930 Constitution of 1956 Constitution and reestablished the 1923 Constitution. The Constitution of 1956 was the consti- tution of Egypt from 22 July 1957 to 1958 1952 Constitutional Declarations and from 1961 to 1964. It replaced the When the revolution by the Free Officers Constitution of 1923 and was replaced by Movement took place in 1952, the Move- the Constitution of 1958. It was restored ment announced its first constitutional in 1961, until it was replaced by the Con- declaration, repealing the 1923 Constitu- stitution of 1963. The 1956 Constitution tion, ousting King Farouk, and replacing was issued after the ousting of Moham- him with his son Ahmed Fouad, Egyptians mad Naguib from his post in 1954. Gamal supported the Movement. The First Dec- Abdel Nasser was declared his successor. laration promised to establish a commit- The Revolutionary Command Council tee that would draft a new constitution. formed a constitutional drafting commit- The Second Constitutional Declaration tee. This constitution was put to a popu- issued in January 1953 dissolved all politi- lar referendum in 1956 and became the cal parties and confiscated all their funds first Egyptian constitution to be issued on behalf of the people. The Third Decla- with popular consent from the people. Its ration set forth general principles leaning most prominent elements were: the State’s towards democracy and constitutionality. guarantee to provide for universal educa- It was signed by Major General Moham- tion and employment. It also specified a med Naguib, Commander-in-Chief of the law for agricultural land ownership. The Army, and the leader of the revolution. 1956 constitution closely followed the 1923 The Fourth and final declaration decreed constitution, but replaced the monarchy

)6( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 with a republican system. The preamble over the country and to eliminate what made it unequivocally clear that the con- he later called the “centers of power”. A stitution was issued by the Egyptian peo- constituent commission was formed by ple and not as a favor granted by anyone. Presidential decree and the 1971 Constitu- The 1956 Constitution stayed in force for tion was then put to a referendum. It was only twenty months. called a permanent constitution, like its 1956 predecessor. The 1971 Constitution Constitution of 1958 confirmed the socialist nature of the state, Provisional Constitution, the “Consti- stressed the pan-Arabist and Islamic ba- tution of the Union” came about following sis of the state and elevated the status of the union between Egypt and Syria, which the judiciary and established the Supreme led to the suspension of the 1956 Constitu- Constitutional Court, which enabled the tion and the declaration of the 1958 Pro- judiciary, for the first time, to regulate laws visional Constitution. This document was effectively and to rule on the constitution- very brief and included a number of prin- ality of laws. It stressed the dual nature ciples and transitional provisions in addi- of the executive branch, consisting of the tion to an emphasis on the Arab character Head of State and the cabinet and entailed of the new state and the regulation of na- the powers of the “People’s Assembly.” It tionality. specified the use of referenda and elections as selection tools for MPs and president and Constitution of 1964 the four powers of the state; the executive, The 1964 Constitution decreed a social- the judicial and legislative powers - with ist orientation to the country. It was issued the addition of the press. The constitution as a temporary constitution until a perma- detailed the powers of each authority and nent one could be drafted. This constitu- how its affairs were to be conducted. The tion differed from prior ones because it President of the Republic remained unac- defined the ideology of the state of Egypt countable before the People’s Assembly. as socialist. He serves as the head of the executive and judicial branches, and the Supreme Com- Constitution of 1971 mander of the Armed Forces. There have After the military defeat of 1967, the been three amendments to the 1971 Con- drafting of a permanent constitution was stitution: postponed. After Gamal Abdel Nasser’s 1980 death in 1970, his successor Anwar El- Sadat decided to expedite the issuance of The First Amendment included two the constitution as part of his “Corrective clauses. The first clause was related to the Revolution” and in order to secure control length of the Presidential term. The amend-

)7( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 ment substituted “for other periods” in- the economic direction of the country from stead of “for another period,” thus extend- socialism to a free economy, and uphold- ing the presidential term indefinitely. The ing the principles of citizenship. It also in- second clause confirmed the supremacy of cluded amendments to the articles related Islamic law over all other sources of legis- to the Vice President and his powers, and lation by changing the wording of the ar- granted additional authority to the Prime ticle from “Islamic law (Sharia) is a prin- Minister. cipal source of legislation” to “Islamic law is the principal source of legislation provi- sions.” March 2011 constitutional declara- tion 2005 Following the ousting of President The Second Amendment was to Article Mubarak on February 11, 2011, the Su- 76 of the Constitution modifying the se- preme Council of the Armed Forces lection process of the President of the Re- (SCAF), the highest military authority, public. Instead of specifying a referendum assumed leadership of the Egyptian state. as the means to select the President, the On February 13, 2011, SCAF announced a amendment specified that the President constitutional declaration suspending the would be elected by direct, national, secret 1971 Constitution and declaring some gen- ballot. This amendment stirred great po- eral principles for the State. On March 19, litical controversy because of the surpris- 2011, seven articles of the Constitution of ing format of the new article - the text of 1971 were amended and put to a referen- the new article took up almost two pages dum. Article 179 on the Law of Terrorism of the Constitution—the longest article in was abolished, and two paragraphs were the document. It also included procedures added to Article 189. In March 2011, SCAF and conditions of nomination that contra- issued a 64 article constitutional declara- dicted the original nature of the Consti- tion pertaining to amending and re-acti- tution. The modification stipulated that a vating the old constitution. The amended party needed at least 5% of the seats in the articles submitted to the referendum were Parliament to be able to nominate a can- integrated into the Constitutional Decla- didate, thereby diminishing the chances of ration. The Constitutional Declaration has parties and political movements from par- undergone two modifications: An amend- ticipating in this process. ment was made to Article 38 of the Consti- 2007 tutional Declaration concerning the elec- tion of members of the People’s Assembly 35 articles were amended. Most of the and the Shura Council. amendments revolved around changing

)8( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Constitution of 2012 all its citizens. The Egyptian constitutional referendum took place in January 2014 Through a decree on November 22, and resulted in the overwhelming accep- 2012, former president Mohammed Morsi tance of a new constitution, which had been allowed himself sweeping executive and drafted in the aftermath of the ousting of legislative powers. Only few days later, a former president Morsi after one year in constituent assembly, consisting almost power. The 2014 constitution was drafted entirely of the Muslim Brotherhood and by a 50-member panel drawn from across different Salafi trends, issued a draft con- Egyptian society, which was considerably stitution which was moved to a popular more representative than the panel which referendum on December 15 and 22, 2012. drafted the 2012 constitution. The Consti- Egypt’s new constitution was approved tution was completed through an amend- by 63.8 percent of the vote. Morsi’s accel- ing process that was the most transparent eration of the constitution-writing process and inclusive in Egypt’s history. A ten- reflects the increasing impatience of the person committee of experts—including President’s office and the Muslim Brother- judges, jurists, and legal scholars—drafted hood with the faltering transition process proposed changes to Egypt’s 2012 Consti- in post-Mubarak Egypt. Yet, the immedi- tution which were then debated, amended ate consequence was an escalation in the and approved by a Committee of 50 repre- struggle between Islamists—emphasizing sentatives that reflected a broad cross-sec- the legitimacy of their moves through pre- tion of all Egyptian society. Final approval vious electoral victories—and a heteroge- of the entire document was unanimous. neous camp of liberal and secular forces Egypt’s new Constitution was crafted to that came to re-unite in what they saw as a rectify the failures of past. The Constitu- real danger of authoritarian renaissance. tion enables true separation of powers and After the announcement that the new con- more equilibrium between the legislative stitution had been signed into law, Morsi and executive branches. The Constitu- moved quickly to swear in new members tion provides for a Parliament with strong of the country’s Shura Council – the up- oversight over executive actions, with the per house of parliament – which he pro- aim of limiting the power of the President, tected from dissolution by decree a month including a mandate to both develop and earlier. approve state policy and budget priorities. Constitution of 2014 This is similar to parliamentary systems in many democratic countries (Article 5). Since July 2013, Egypt has been work- The Constitution mandates term limits ing toward a new, democratic government for the President of two four-year terms structure that represents the interests of (Article 140). The Constitution mandates

)9( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 representation for women, workers and property, which can guard against the sei- farmers in the new Parliament, and oth- zure of church land and the demands of er elected bodies (Articles 11, 243). The payment for its return. Article 92 protects Constitution articulates a clear process the rights and freedoms of individual citi- for presidential impeachment. The Par- zens. The 2014 constitution makes com- liament is able to exercise the ability, for mitments to equality, non-discrimination, the first time, to impeach the President and equal opportunity in several articles, for violating the Constitution, not just for and even binds the state to establishing an criminal violations and corruption as was independent commission to ‘eliminate all the case in previous constitutions (Article forms of discrimination’. 159). Article 40 forbids the confiscation of

)10( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 List of Egyptian Parliament Speakers

When Napoleon Bonaparte’s expedi- the councils he formed and in setting tion arrived to Egypt, Napoleon held ne- the administrative, fiscal and judicial sys- gotiation with El-Azhar scholars and com- tems in the state. The General Cabinet in munity leaders, which resulted in forming its first constituent form consisted of 180 an integrated structure for the country in members representing all districts and dif- the modern style. The nucleus of the Egyp- ferent social classes; scholars, tradesmen tian parliament is the “General Cabinet” and civilians. This parliament first held established by Bonaparte, as he called on session on October6, 1798. Bonaparte is- December 4, 1798 for establishment of sued what was called the Decree of Con- general assembly of prominent national ditions which specified competence and figures to have the capacity of represent- functions of the General Cabinet empha- ing Egyptians from all parts of the coun- sizing its consultative legislative capacity. try, for the purpose of consultation over In the first confrontation between the par- )11( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 liament and leaders of the French expedi- Speakers under Khedive Ismail tion on taxes, Bonaparte suspended the Ismail Ragheb Pasha ( November 25, newly-established parliament, thus flaring 1866 – January 24, 1867), Abdullah Ez- the first Cairo Revolution on October 21, zat Pasha (January 28, 1868- March 31, 1798, one of the demands of which was the 1870), Abu Bakr Rateb (July 10, 1871- Au- de-suspension of the parliament. gust 6, 1871) (January 26, 1873- March 24, The history of Egypt’s parliament, the 1873), Abdullah Ezzat Pasha (August 7, first in the Arab, African and Middle East 1876- May 16,1877), Kasim Rasmy Pasha regions, dates back to 22 October 1866 (March 28, 1878- April 21, 1878), Gaafar when the 75-MP Council of Consultative Mazhar Pasha (April 24, 1878- June 27, Deputies (Maglis Shura Al-Nuwab) was 1878), Ahmed Rashid Pasha (December formed. The council, opened during the 26, 1878- April 10, 1879), Hassan Rostom era of Khedive Ismail (1863-1879), held its Pasha (May 18, 1879- July 6, 1879). first meeting on 25 November 1866. The Speakers under Khedive Mohamed Tew- Egyptian Parliament emerged with the fik Pasha consultative representative systems that started since Mohamed Ali assumed office Mohamed Sultan Pasha (December and set down the principle regulations for 18, 1881- March 26, 1882) (November 19, the Supreme Council. It was one of the 1883- August 18, 1884), Ali Sharif Pasha first parliamentary attempts to regulate (September 7, 1884- September 22, 1884), the relationship between the ruler and the Omar Lotfi Pasha (November 29, 1894- people, until Khedive Ismail came on 22 July 17, 1899). October 1866 and established the first rep- Speakers under Khedive Abbas Helmy II resentative parliament in the true sense of the word, namely the “Representative Ismail Mohamed Pasha (November 3, Consultative Council” (Maglis Shura al- 1899- April 7, 1902), Abdel-Hamid Sadek Nowwab), modeled on the modern West- Pasha (April 10, 1902- January 30, 1909), ern mode of establishing elected legislative Prince Hussein Kamel Pasha (January 30, institutions. These institutions represented 1909- March 3, 1910), Mahmoud Fahmy the electorate and voiced their interests Pasha (April 11, 1910-June 30, 1913), to the executive authority. The aim was Ahmed Mazloum Pasha (December 8, to implement the modernizing theories of 1913- June 17, 1914). Khedive Ismail, which sought to establish Parliament Speakers under King Fouad I a sound parliamentary life capable of truly expressing the interests and aspirations of Ahmed Mazloum Pasha (March 15, the different sects and social strata of the 1924- December 24, 1924), Saad Zaghloul Egyptian people. )12( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Pasha (December 24, 1924- March 23, 1925) and Ali Zaki Al-Orabi (June 17, 1950- De- (June 10, 1926- August 22, 1927), Mostafa cember 10, 1952). el-Nahas Pasha (November 7, 1927- March Parliament Speakers under former Presi- 15, 1928), Wessa Wassef Pasha (March 20, dent Gamal Abdel-Nasser 1928- July 18, 1928) (January 11, 1930- October 21, 1930), Mohamed Tewfik Re- Abdel-Latif Boghdadi (July 22, 1957- faat Pasha (June 20, 1931- November 29, July 4, 1958), Anwar Sadat (July 21, 1960- 1934), Ahmed Ziwar Pasha (February 23, September 27, 1961) (March 26, 1964- 1924- July 24, 1924) (October 25, 1924-), November 12, 1968) and Mohamed Labib Mohamed Tawfiq Nasim Pasha (Novem- Shokeir (January 20, 1969-May 14, 1971). ber 25, 1924- December 14, 1925), Hussein Parliament Speakers under former Presi- Rushdy Pasha (May 23, 1926- November dent Anwar El-Sadat 16, 1927), Adly Yakan Pasha (January 3, 1930- October 22, 1930). Hafiz Badawi (May14, 1971-October 22, 1974), Sayed Marey (October 22, 1974- Speakers under The Regency Council October 2, 1978) - (October 2, 1978-No- Ahmed Mahir Pasha (May 23, 1936- vember 3, 1978) and Sufi Abu Taleb (No- February 1, 1938), Mohamed Tewfik Nas- vember 3, 1978, November 4, 1983). sim Pasha (May 11, 1936- May 12, 1936), In May 1980, the Shura (Consultative) Mahmoud Bassyouni (May 19, 1936- Au- Council was set up to broaden the scope gust 12, 1937) (November 17, 1937- May of political and democratic participation. 7, 1938). The Parliament became bicameral, con- Parliament Speakers under King Farouk sisting of the People’s Assembly and the I (Bicameral) Shura (Consultative Council).

Dr. Mohamed Bahie El-Deen Barakat Parliament Speakers under former Presi- Pasha (April 12, 1938- November 17, dent Hosni Mubark 1939), Abdel-Salam Fahmy Gomaa Pa- Mohamed Kamel Leilah (November 4, sha (March 10, 1942-November 14, 1944), 1983-June 22, 1984), Rifaat el-Mahgoub Mohamed Hamed Gouda Pasha (January (June 22, 1984-October 12, 1990) and Ah- 18, 1945- November 6, 1949, Abdel-Salam mad Fathi Sorour (December 13, 1990- Fahmy Gomaa Pasha (January 16, 1950- February 13, 2011). March 23, 1952), Mohamed Mahmoud Khalil Bek (May 8, 1938- May 6, 1942), On February 13, 2011 a constitutional Ali Zaki Al-Orabi (May 7, 1942- Decem- declaration was issued by The Supreme ber 19, 1944), Mohamed Hussein Heikal Council of the Armed Forces to disable the Pasha (January 16, 1945- June 17, 1950) constitution and to dissolve the People’s

)13( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 and the Shura Council. mentary elections to be held within 60 days of the adoption of a new constitution. Parliament Speakers under The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) The Shura Council was dissolved on 5 July 2013. Saad El-Katatni (January 23, 2012- September 22, 2012). After the adoption of the new consti- tution in January 2014, as Article 245 The People’s Assembly was dissolved by thereof included the abolition of the Shura a High Constitutional Court ruling issued Council, the legislative authority in Egypt on June 14, 2012. has become limited to single chamber Parliament Speakers under former Presi- system, namely the House of Representa- dent Mohamed Morsi tives, which consists of 596 members; 568 of which are elected by the slate and indi- Saad El-Katatni (January 23, 2012- vidual systems, where 448 seats were dedi- September 22, 2012). cated for individual system and 120 others The People’s Assembly was dissolved for the slate system. before former president Mohamed Morsi Parliament Speakers under President Ab- assumed office. On 8 July, Mohamed Mor- del-Fattah El-Sisi si issued a decree calling back into session the dissolved parliament for 10 July 2012. Dr. Ali Abdel-Al (January 10, 2016- Morsi>s decree also called for new parlia- Current).

)14( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Profile of House Speaker Dr. Ali Abdel-Aal

Ali Abdel-Aal, a constitutional law pro- ing a draft of Egypt’s new constitution to fessor, was elected as speaker of Egypt’s a wider 50-member body for review. In parliament during the first procedural 2015, Abdel-Aal headed a committee en- session which saw the legislature convene trusted with drafting three election laws; for the first time in more than three years the exercise of political rights, the House after MPs swore the constitutional oath. of Representatives affairs, and the divi- Abdel-Aal, 68, a prominent constitutional sion of electoral constituencies. law professor at Ain Shams University, had “We need to be wise concerning the leg- won a seat in the parliamentary elections islations we issue, which must favour the late in 2015 in Upper Egypt on the “For people’s interests,” Abdel-Aal said in his The Love of Egypt” electoral list, which first speech after being named speaker.“We strongly supports the policies of President will employ self-criticism in the parlia- Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. In 2013, Abdel-Aal ment so we can always have an evaluation made headlines when former interim pres- of our performance. And bear in mind, the ident Adli Mansour selected him to the 10- supporters of the 25 January and 30 June member committee entrusted with hand- revolutions have made us responsible for )15( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 their ambitions, so we need to meet their mentary Assembly of the Union of the expectations.” Mediterranean (PA-UFM) in Morocco, 28-29 MAY 2016. Ali Abdel-Aal won the position of Par- liament Speaker with 401 out of 585 cor- - Headed a high-level parliamentary del- rect votes and 5 void, against six other egation in the Pan-African Parliament contenders, including Ali Meselhi who (PAP) ordinary sessions, where Egypt came in second place with 110 votes; Ka- regained membership in the African mal Ahmed (36 votes); Tawfik Okasha (25 Union following a three-year suspen- votes); Eid Heikal (4 votes); Khaled Abu sion in Johannesburg, South Africa, Taleb (3 votes); and Mahmoud Othman 3-13 MAY 2016. Al-Atmani who won the single vote he cast - Headed a high-level parliamentary del- for himself. egation at the 23rd Conference of the Educational & Professional Background Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union held at the Arab League, Cairo, 4-10 April - MA in Law, Ain Shams University. 2016. - General Law diploma, May 1973. - Headed a high-level parliamentary del- - Criminal Law diploma, May 1974. egation at the 134th Inter-Parliamen- tary Union Assembly held at the Arab - PhD in Law, Paris University 1984. League, Lusaka, Zambia, 19-23 March Posts 2016.

- Deputy Prosecutor General, 1973. - Participated in the First Conference of Arab Parliaments Speakers held - Lecturer in General Law department, at the Arab League headquarters, in Faculty of Law, Ain Shams University. Cairo, 24-25 February 2016, which was - Egyptian Cultural Attaché in Paris, 1987- held under the auspices of President 1991. Abdel Fatah El Sisi. Speaker Ali Abdel Aal was named chairman of the confer- - Constitutional Adviser, the Kuwaiti Emir ence. Cabinet. - Headed a high-level Parliamentary del- - Constitutional expert in Parliament, egation in the 10th Session of the Par- 1992. liamentary Assembly of the Mediter- Parliamentary Activities: ranean (PAM) Tirana, Albania, 18- 19 February 2016. - Headed a high-level parliamentary del- egation in the 12th round of the Parlia- - Headed a high-level Parliamentary dele- gation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union )16( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 (IPU), Geneva, 14 -17 February 2016. - The Constitutional Judiciary (2014).

- Participated in the Mediterranean Youth - Public Freedoms (2014). Conference in France. - Egypt Constitutional System under 2014 - Participated in the first conference on Constitution. outlining the first draft of the Ethiopian - Constitutional systems in Egypt and Ku- constitution in Addis Ababa in 1993 wait, A Comparative Study (2010). - House of Representative Speaker Dr. Ali - The Role of Democracy in the Develop- Abdel-Aal authored several books, the ment of Municipal Councils System, A most important of which are: Comparative Study. - The Media Law (2014).

)17( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Overview of the Pan African Parliament sessions President Sisi emphasizes importance of role and functions of the PAP, praises its achievements

The Pan African Parliament was estab- tution with full legislative powers, whose lished as an organ of the African Union members are elected by universal adult (AU) in order to ensure the full participa- suffrage. The new protocol granting these tion of African peoples in the development powers has been adopted by the AU and and economic integration of the continent. is currently under ratification by member The first Parliament was inaugurated on states. However until such a time that the 18 March 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia new protocol comes into force, the Pan Af- and its headquarters is in Midrand, South rican Parliament shall have consultative Africa. and advisory powers within the AU. The ultimate aim of the Pan African AU Member States are represented Parliament shall be to evolve into an insti- at the Pan African Parliament by five Par- )18( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 liamentarians, at least one of whom must marked by the opening ceremony and the be a woman. The representation of each inaugural session of the Parliament. Two Members State must reflect the diversity hundred and two (202) Pan-African Par- of political opinions in each National Par- liamentarians elected or nominated out of liament or other deliberative organ. a total of 205 from forty-one (41) Member Under rule 28 of the PAP’s Rules of States of the African Union that had rati- Procedure, the Parliament should meet fied the Protocol to the Treaty establishing at least twice in ordinary session within a the African Economic Community relat- one-year period. Parliamentary sessions ing to the Pan-African Parliament, partic- can last for up to one month. Under rule ipated in the deliberations of the session. 29, the PAP can meet in extraordinary ses- Under the chairmanship of Mr. Joaquim sion. Alberto Chissano, the then President of Parliaments and presidents since 2004 the Republic of Mozambique and Chair- - First Parliament: person of the African Union, the inaugural March 2004 to October 2009 session which opened on 18 March 2004, President: was marked essentially by the swearing Gertrude Mongella, UR of Tanzania of the oath of office/solemn declaration Second Parliament: by the Pan-African Parliamentarians and October 2009 to May 2012 the election of the President of the Parlia- President: ment. Idriss Ndele Moussa, Chad This ceremony of assumption of office Third Parliament: was conducted by four nominated se- May 2012 to May 2015 nior parliamentary officials, on the basis President: of the different working languages of the Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, Nigeria Pan-African Parliament, namely: Arabic, Fourth Parliament: English, French and Portuguese. Thus, May 2015 to Current 202 Pan-African Parliamentarians from President: 41 States took the oath or made their sol- Roger Nkodo Dang, Cameroon emn declaration in the working language of their choice. First Parliament: Before electing the PAP president, the March 2004 to October 2009 parliamentarians adopted the rules for the The inaugural session of the Pan-Afri- election of the President of the Parliament. can Parliament took place at the United In compliance with the Protocol, the Presi- Nations Economic Commission for Africa dent was to be elected by secret ballot, by Conference Centre in Addis Ababa, Ethio- simple majority of the members present pia on 18-20 March 2004. This session was and voting. Three candidatures were an-

)19( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 nounced, namely the candidatures of Gha- tee. The Pan-African Parliamentarians na, The Sudan and Tanzania. At the end expressed their views on the issues raised of various consultations, Ghana and The by the Chairperson of the African Union Sudan withdrew in favour of Tanzania. and the Chairperson of the Commission Therefore, Mrs. Mongella Gertrude Iben- in their respective statements made at the gwe, Tanzanian Parliamentarian (East Af- inaugural session of the Pan-African Par- rica), became the sole candidate for this liament. Parliamentarians from the fol- post. lowing countries took the floor: Tunisia, Mrs. Mongella Gertrude Ibengwe, Pres- South Africa, Senegal, The Sudan, Congo, ident elect of the Pan-African Parliament Algeria, Namibia, Djibouti, Gabon, Gha- then took the oath of office. The delibera- na, Egypt, Lesotho, Uganda, Benin, Libya, tions of the inaugural session continued Tanzania, Botswana, Burundi, The Gam- under the presidency of Mrs. Mongella bia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Rwanda, Mo- Gertrude Ibengwe, President of the Pan- zambique, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Kenya, African Parliament with the reading of Niger, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Mali, Guin- the vote of thanks by an Ethiopian Parlia- ea Conakry, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Togo, mentarian. The Pan-African Parliament Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and held its 1st session at the headquarters of Ethiopia. the African Union on this same 18th day As representatives and the voices of of March 2004 according to the following African peoples rather than States or agenda: Election of the four Vice-Presi- governments, the PAP underscored the dents of the PAP; Establishment of the magnitude of the responsibility, trust, and Bureau of the PAP; Adoption of Rules for confidence conferred on them by African the Constitution of Committees and Rules peoples themselves, and by the Constitu- of Debate; Constitution of the Commit- tive Act and Assembly of Heads of State tees of the PAP; Debate on the statements and Government of the African Union of the Current Chairperson of the African (AU) to ensure the responsiveness of the Union and the Chairperson of the Com- AU to the highest aspirations of all seg- mission of the African Union. After tak- ments of the African people, on which the ing the oath of office, the Vice-Presidents success of the AU would also be judged. In were invited by the President of the Par- this light, the PAP noted the expectations liament to take their seats on the podium. of the African people’s were high, resolv- Three Ad Hoc Committees were set up ing that failure was not an option, and the to prepare the basic texts for the opera- mobilization of adequate resources, and all tion of the Parliament. The Committees necessary measures to ensure the smooth are as follows: Legal Affairs Committee; and effective conduct of its activities was Budget Committee; Credentials Commit- crucial.

)20( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Second Parliament: current challenges, also emphasized the October 2009 to May 2012 strides made by the continent over the past On 26 October 2009, the second ordi- few years. nary session of the second legislature of the The Third Ordinary Session of the Sec- Pan-African Parliament (PAP) took place ond Parliament of the Pan African Parlia- at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, outside ment (PAP) was opened in Midrand South Johannesburg. In addition to members of Africa by Dr. Moussa Idriss Ndélé, the the PAP, in attendance were members of then President of the PAP. In his opening South Africa’s government and diplomat- speech, Ndélé said PAP will ensure that all ic corps as well as local and international African countries attain the millennium media. Opening statements were issued development goals (MDGs) by 2015. He by the representatives of the PAP from added that PAP was working hard to see to the Arab League, Senegal, Chad, Nigeria, it that all the countries in Africa achieved Zimbabwe and South Africa. The major- the MGDs as scheduled. “We want to im- ity of remarks addressed the challenges prove maternal health and reduce infant facing the continent, while emphasizing mortality,” he said. the need for African solidarity in light of Prior to his speech a number of mes- the global economic crisis and other fac- sages of solidarity were delivered in the tors. The Zimbabwean speaker referred to House by the President of the African the current challenges facing the country Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural and elaborated on the SADC mission that Council (ECOSOCC), Mr. Akere Muna, was scheduled to arrive in Zimbabwe in a the Premier of Gauteng Province in South week. The Nigerian representative issued Africa Ms. Nomvula Mokonyane and the a strong statement against ‘constitution- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NE- tinkering’ in Guinea and Chad, and firmly PAD Planning and Coordination Agency, reminded delegates of the dangers of mili- Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki. Recalling the tary coups as well as Nigeria’s experience NEPAD Secretariat transformation into of this in the recent past. The keynote ad- the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating dress was then delivered by the President of Agency, Dr. Mayaki said that the NEPAD South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma, who spoke Agency is “proud to be associated with about South Africa’s ongoing commitment PAP and will continue to robustly engage to the PAP. The address could be a veiled PAP as a key organ of the African Union, reference to concerns that the post-Thabo particularly in promoting popular par- Mbeki government in Pretoria may lessen ticipation and representation of African its involvement in the PAP which was seen peoples in decision-making and good gov- as a major focus area of the Mbeki admin- ernance’’. istration. President Zuma, while noting In addition, because both PAP and NE-

)21( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 PAD are undergoing a transformation pro- She validated the importance of the cess for the improved delivery of Africa’s PAP saying that it was “an important or- development priorities, Dr Mayaki stated gan of the AU that has a critical role in the in conclusion that “without any doubt the democratization process of the continent, delivery on NEPAD and Africa’s develop- peace-building, development, unity and ment priorities will be strengthened trough integration.” PAP’s legislative power’’. The South African Minister called for Ndélé highlighted the need for PAP to the further advancement of democracy in be transformed from a consultative to a Africa. Appealing to nations to do more to legislative organ and ended by expressing curb coups, she added that “the resurgence PAP’s desire to see free, fair and transpar- of this phenomenon undermines our con- ent elections in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and tinued efforts to entrench and consolidate Chad in the coming days and months. democracy on the continent and remains a On the issue of the African Charter on threat to the stability of Africa.” Democracy, Elections and Governance, The Minister called for AU instruments Ndélé said that the PAP had launched to be reviewed in order to deal with un- a campaign known as ‘’11before2011’’ constitutional changes in government, and which aims to get eleven ratifications for for stronger measures to be taken to deal the Charter before the year 2011. with perpetrators of coups. Ndélé also noted with happiness that During the opening session, thirteen seventeen African countries would by new Members of Parliament representing the end of this year celebrate their 50th Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namib- independence anniversaries; a sign that ia and the Sudan were also sworn-in dur- the continent had matured. He called for ing the sitting. dialogue among sub-regional parliaments The Sixth Ordinary Session of the sec- in order to achieve Africa’s quest for de- ond PAP on 16 – 20 January 2012 was held velopment and achieve the dreams of the outside of the Seat of the PAP for the first founding fathers. time since its inaugural Session. As per Ar- On her part, the Special Guest of the ticle 25 of the Protocol, the Protocol was Session, H.E. Ms. Maite Nkoana-Masha- to be reviewed after 5 years of entry into bane, Minister of International Relations force. This process started in 2009 accord- and Cooperation of the Republic of South ing to an AU Assembly Decision. Most im- Africa said that “African nations must fo- portantly, it was proposed that the status cus their energies on promoting peace on of the PAP is changed from an advisory the continent.” The Minister emphasized and consultative institution into a legisla- the importance of Africans uniting and co- tive organ. Addis Ababa was chosen specif- operating to rid Africa of conflict. ically to advocate for this transformation,

)22( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 as was this time which falls immediately Ahoomey-Zunu said that PAP chaired by before the African Union Summit. Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, a from Nigeria had discussed several issues of importance Third Parliament: to Africa including the financial crisis, May 2012 to May 2015 climate change and campaigned against terrorism; but needed more powers to Togo has joined the list of countries call- act as a link between the African people. ing for the granting of legislative powers to the Pan African Parliament. H.E Kwe- The PAP President, Bethel Nnaemeka si Seleagodji Ahoomey-Zunu, the Prime Amadi officially opened the Sixth Ordi- Minister of Togo, said that PAP would play nary Session of the Third Parliament of a more important and significant role in the Pan African Parliament on 18th May, uniting Africa, if granted full legislative 2015 in Midrand, South Africa. The 6th powers. “There is need to amend the Pro- Session takes place at the time when the tocol and grant PAP full powers. It should term of the current parliament is coming also be based on universal adult suffrage,” to an end on 26 May 2015. The May 2015 he said. The Prime Minister represented session was the 6th and last one for the the President of Togo, H.E Faure Essoz- 3rd Parliament which he led as President. imna Gnassingbe, at the opening of the Various members of the PAP highlighted Third Ordinary Session of the Third Pan his good work and commitment to ensur- African Parliament held at the Gallagher ing the PAP serves the African Union and Centre, in Midrand, South Africa on Mon- its people. Adoption of the new PAP pro- day, October 21, 2013. PAP was set up to tocol by the African Union heads of states “provide a common platform for African was especially noted as one of the greatest peoples and their grass-roots organiza- achievements during his tenure as the PAP tions to be more involved in discussions President. and decision-making on the problems and The highlights of the 6th session were: challenges facing the continent.” • 18 May – official opening on the 18 May, The Presidents of Ghana and Chad to- by the President Uhuru Kenyatta of gether with the Presidents of the Assem- Kenya, as Guest of Parliament, and the bly have on different occasions called on 2nd Vice-President of the Republic of the African Union member states to grant Sudan who is a former member of PAP. PAP legislative powers. The decision has • 21 May – the former President of South been on the AU Heads of Government Africa, H.E Thabo Mbeki presented the Summit agenda for some time now, having African Union report on illicit financial been approved by the Permanent Repre- flows out of Africa. sentatives Council. H.E Kwesi Seleagodji • 22 and 23 May – the PAP and AU Com-

)23( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 mission co-hosted the 3rd Inter-Gener- with the adoption of seven draft resolu- ational dialogue with the African Youth tions and six draft recommendations dur- by Dr Nkosazana Zuma, the Chairper- ing its final plenary sitting. Amongst the son of AUC. decisions taken was to hold the next ordi- • 25 May – PAP to celebrated Africa Day nary session in another member state of under the theme, “Women Empower- the African Union (AU). It was proposed ment”. and adopted that the PAP would estab- • 27 May 2015 – election for new Bureau lish focal points responsible for issues re- and the President. lating to women within the Parliament’s structures, including the Bureau, Caucus, Fourth Parliament: Committees and Secretariat. As part of May 2015 to Current this decision, the PAP will increase aware- ness of gender issues and advocate for the The First Ordinary Session of the reduction of gender gaps. Fourth Pan African Parliament opened in The PAP would also establish a New Midrand, where the host government of Partnership for Africa’s Development South Africa pledged continued support (NEPAD) focal point to ensure linkages, to the institution. “I would like to assure coordination and synergies between the you of our continued support to the Pan Parliament’s committees and the AU’s African Parliament as the government technical body, NEPAD. A climate change and the people of South Africa and we resolution concluded that the PAP would remain available for engagements on is- develop a concrete work plan for the annu- sues you may wish to raise with us at all al participation of the Committee on Ru- times,” said Ms Maite Nkoana,South Af- ral Economy, Agriculture, Environment rica Minister of International Relations and Natural Resources at COP22. PAP and Cooperation. The new President of will mobilise adequate financial resources PAP, Roger Dang Nkodo, chaired this Ses- to secure the participation in global annu- sion, being held at the PAP headquarters al climate change meetings and harmonise in Midrand, South Africa, October 5 – 17, the participation of AU organs in future 2015. Minister Nkoana, who represented COP summits. the South African President, said that Some recommendations included the the revised Protocol for the Pan African adoption of the AU budget for the finan- Parliament will enhance its mandate as cial year 2017, and the speedy resolution it enters into force adding that it would of the conflict in Burundi by the United have the full support of her government. Nations, AU and international commu- The Pan-African Parliament concluded its nity, specifically by stimulating dialogue second ordinary session on 12 May 2016 between stakeholders.

)24( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 The PAP further recommended and ad- Jacob Zuma to discuss “bilateral as well opted the establishment of a United Na- as and regional and international issues tions Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA), of mutual interest. As with other member the support for the apprenticeship and states, Egypt is represented in the PAP exchange of practical skills for continen- by five parliamentarians including Mai tal e-governance, and the strengthening of Mahmoud in the Rural Economy, Agri- women’s rights to land access. PAP’s Pres- culture, Natural Resources and Environ- ident Roger Nkodo Dang congratulated ment, El-Sayyed Felefel in the Education, the Safia Elmi Djibril for her election as Culture, Tourism and Human Resources Vice President, as well as parliamentari- and Mostafa El-Gendy in the Committee ans who have been elected into permanent on Justice and Human rights and Hatem committees or caucuses. Bashat in the Committee on Co-operation, “Debates were lively and many issues International Relations and Conflict reso- were raised. Parliamentarians showed lution. their passion to the issues we face in Afri- The PAP President Roger Nkodo Dang, ca. The raising of these issues will help us heading a high level delegation to Cairo, to find solutions for these challenges” said Egypt on 24 February 2016, met with President Nkodo Dang. “Parliamentar- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, ians are an essential link of the PAP. With- in order to discuss the role of the Pan- out you the ambitions of the PAP can’t be African Parliament. President El-Sisi realised, and that’s why your inputs will stressed the important role and functions always be welcome. I look forward to see of the PAP and praised the achievements you at the next session,” he concluded. made by the institution over the past few Egypt’s speaker of the House of Rep- years. The President also emphasized the resentatives Dr. Ali Abdel-Aal attended PAP’s contribution in strengthening ties meetings of the second session of the Pan- between the different member states and African Parliament. He deliver a speech promoting understanding amongst the during the inaugural meeting of the PAP peoples of Africa. President El-Sisi and second ordinary session. Dr. Abdel- Aal, President Nkodo Dang discussed the re- was accompanied by Egyptian parliamen- gional situation in Africa, with President tary delegates. Egypt’s participation in Sisi stressing that the exact circumstances the May session marks the resumption of surrounding the continent requires a co- its activities in the PAP after a three-year ordinated and concerted effort in the face lapse. Egypt has been without a parliament of common challenges, mainly the widen- since 2012, effectively barring it from par- ing circle of terrorism. President Nkodo ticipation in the PAP. Dr. Abdel-Aal also Dang’s visit to Egypt takes place in the held talks with South African President context of the PAP’s sustained advocacy

)25( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 campaign on the ratification of the revised on behalf of parliamentary speaker Ali protocol of the Pan-African Parliament. Abdel-Aal in South Africa July 2016. The President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi also met sessions discussed the latest recommenda- with Pan-African Parliament head Roger tions made by the PAP, its budget, and hu- Nkodo Dang on 23 August 2016 to discuss man rights and gender issues. regional issues. House Speaker Ali Abdel- In line with Egypt’s pivotal African role, Aal affirmed how critical it is for Egypt to Egypt hosts the October session of the Pan- regain its formerly influential role on the African Parliament, in Sharm el-Sheikh continent. which coincides with Egypt’s celebration A parliamentary delegation led by marking the 150 anniversary of the incep- member of parliament Hatem Bashat, who tion of parliamentary life in Egypt. heads the African Affairs Subcommittee attended meetings and sessions of the PAP

)26( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Profile of Former Presidents of Pan-African Parliament

on Women, Gertrude Mongella is one of the world’s most influential people. Mon- gella is a staunch advocate of equal rights for women around the world, particularly those from lesser developed countries. Mongella was born on September 13, 1945, coincidentally the same year the UN was founded. Along with two sisters and one brother, she grew up in her birthplace, a small Tanganyikan island called Uke- rewe, in Lake Victoria. Her father, a car- penter, defied local customs by sending his children to school. After successfully com- Gertrude Mongella pleting her secondary education, Mongel- First Parliament: March 2004 to October la enrolled at the newly formed Dar es Sa- 2009 laam University, located near the Indian President: Gertrude Mongella, UR of Ocean in the eastern seaport city of Dar Tanzania es Salaam, Tanzania. From 1967 to 1970 In March 2004 Gertrude Mongella was she worked towards and earned a degree chosen to be the first President of the Pan- in education. Mongella’s political involve- African Parliament. Known as Mama Bei- ment began early on as she became one of jing, Ms. Mongella served as Chairperson of the Fourth UN World Conference on Women in Beijing. After being appointed Minister of State for Women’s Affairs, she became Minister of Lands, Natural Re- sources and Tourism from 1985 to 1987 and for the following four years, worked at the Tanzanian President’s Office as Minis- ter Without Portfolio. Having risen to international promi- nence in 1992, when she was appointed as the United Nations (UN) Secretary- General of the Fourth World Conference

)27( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 the few female members of the only exist- ees of the UN’s International Research and ing Tanzanian political party, and con- Training Institute for the Advancement sequently, the ruling party--Chama Cha of Women (INSTRAW) during the early Mapinduzi, or Revolutionary Party. She 1990s. With such extensive qualifications, quickly became highly respected, which UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros- eventually pushed her career in a differ- Ghali made an unsurprising decision in ent direction. In 1975, Mongella was ap- 1992, when he designated Mongella as pointed to serve as a member of the East the Secretariat of the Fourth World Con- African Legislative Assembly, throwing ference on Women to be held in Beijing, her into public service and giving her a China. taste of the limelight. Once in that posi- In 1998 she became a member of tion, she quickly rose to the supreme organ the OAU sitting on the Women Commit- of Chama Che Mapinduzi through elec- tee for Peace and Development, In 1999 tion by a 20-member Center Committee. she was a member of the “Council of the Subsequently, Mongella was appointed to Future”, UNESCO, Paris, France. In 2000 several ministerial posts, including Minis- She was a Member of the Tanzanian Par- ter of State, during which time she was liament Ukerewe Constituency. In 2002 responsible for women’s affairs, and then she was a member of the OAU’s High Minister of Lands, Natural Resources, and Level Advisory Panel of Eminent Per- Tourism. sons. In 2002 Mongella was a member of During the 1980s, Mongella represent- the Regional Reproduction Health Task ed Tanzania in various capacities at nu- Force for the World Health Organiza- merous global conferences and forums, tion’s African Region, She was also leader particularly those emphasizing women’s of the OAU Election Observer Team to the issues. She served as a vice chairperson Zimbabwean Presidential Election. 2003 of the World Conference to Review and saw her as Goodwill Ambassador for the Appraise the Achievement of the United World Health Organization’s Africa Re- Nations Decade for Women, held in Nai- gion. She became a Member and President robi, Kenya. She also chaired the African of the Pan African Parliament in 2004. In delegation to that 1985 conference. Five 2005 the University of Georgia awarded years later she led a Tanzanian commis- her the Delta Prize for Global Under- sion that presented a status report to the standing. She was designated Chairper- World Committee on the Elimination of son of the International Advisory Board Discrimination against Women. of the African Press Organization (APO) In 1991, Mongella was appointed Tan- in February 2008. zania’s High Commissioner to India. She served as a member of the Board of Trust-

)28( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Idriss Ndele Moussa Yayami Moussa has held several leadership po- Second Parliament: October 2009 to May sitions within the National Assembly of 2012 Chad, and has served for several years President: Idriss Ndele Moussa, Chad in the Pan-African Parliament. He also Idriss Ndele Moussa Yayami (17 April 1959 in Faya-Largeau, Chad, Af- rica – 20 May 2013) was the president of the African Union’s Pan-African Par- liament from 2009-2012. He became president on May 29, 2009. The other leading contenders for the presi- dency were Sawadogo Las- sane and Mostefa Abdelaziz El-Gendy. Moussa received a majority of votes of the members of the served Secretary General of the Conseil Pan-African Parliament. Supérieur de Transition (CST), which act- A dental surgeon by profession, Moussa ed as a provisional parliament from the Na- has served as Assistant Professor at the tional Sovereign Conference in Chad. He Faculty of Health Sciences at the Univer- was a member of the African Union mis- sity of Ndjamena. He is married and has sion to observe the parliamentary elections six children. in Mauritius in 2005, member of the PAP mission to observe the general elections in- Zimbabwe in 2008, and Head of the PAP mission to observe the parliamentary elec- tions in Angola in 2008. He died on 20 May 2013 in a car acci- dent.

Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi Third Parliament: May 2012 to May 2015 President: Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, Nige- ria

)29( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi was born in peace and security election observation Nigeria on 25th April 1964, to Mr. and missions and fact finding missions to con- Mrs. Amadi both from Imo State. Grow- flict areas. ing up, he was influenced by the fact that Also the PAP has since its establishment both his parents were school teachers who in 2004 exercised only advisory and con- instilled the importance of education and sultative powers. This institutional limita- hard work as a foundation for success. tion to the capacity of PAP to be responsive Hon Amadi was elected Vice Chairman to the goals of governance and democracy of the Executive Committee of the Com- building in Africa was the first challenge monwealth Parliamentary Association – Bethel Amadi took up as he assumed office Africa Region from 2009 - 2012. He served as President and he became determined to as 1st Vice President of the Pan African see that the Protocol is amended. Under Parliament where he was placed in charge his leadership, the Assembly of the Afri- of Legislative Business, championed con- can Union in a summit held on the 27th of tinental integration, led the Parliament June, 2014 at Malabo in Equatorial Guin- to several high profile functions and was ea approved the amendment to the Pan deeply involved in the transformation pro- African Parliament protocol and therein cess of the Pan African Parliament into a granted it legislative authority in clearly full legislative body. defined areas. An aspiration that eluded In May 2012, H.E. Hon Bethel Amadi so many Presidents before his time, Bethel was elected President of the Pan-African Amadi with focus, determination and re- Parliament. As President of this continen- markable display of leadership made it a tal body, Amadi’s impeccable leadership reality. Today, the Pan -African Parliament brought about unprecedented growth in after 10 years of its establishment has now the parliaments global recognition and acquired legislative functions to develop prominence. He was instrumental in re- draft model laws in areas approved by the positioning PAP as a viable platform for Assembly of Heads of States and Govern- articulating the wishes and aspirations of ment. the people of Africa. As a result of his lead- Between 2012 and 2015 he served as ership, the Pan-African Parliament estab- President of the Pan-African Parliament. lished significant framework for deepen- On 27 May 2015 his successor Roger Nko- ing democratic governance, sustaining do Dang was elected. Africa’s democratic ideals and promoting

)30( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Profile of Pan-African Parliament President Roger Nkodo Dang Honorable Roger Nkodo Dang, has been elected the new President of the Pan African Parliament. He is a member of National Assembly of Cameroon and represents the Central Africa Region. He took over from Bethel Amadi whom he designated as an ambassador of the PAP charged with the promotion, signing and ratification of the Protocol as revised by the PAP. Roger Nkodo won the elections with 85 votes against Mozambican Edu- ardo Joaquim Mulembwe (70 votes) and Tunisian Rahoui Mongi (9 votes). Nkodo Dang expressed optimism regarding rati- Dang secured the highest number of votes fication, adoption and implementation of amongst the contestants and was there- the newly approved revised PAP Protocol fore declared the winner of the election. would be achieved in no distant time. He was immediately congratulated by the The President of the Pan-African Par- two other contestants who pledged to co- liament has amongst other things, the ar- operate and work with him in the spirit of duous task of overseeing the political and “One Africa, One Voice”. administrative matters of the institution. In his acceptance speech, Nkodo Dang He is to preside over all parliamentary congratulated his fellow contestants for sessions excluding those of the permanent exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship commissions. The President of the Pan-Af- and expressed his appreciation to the PAP rican Parliament is also charged with rep- parliamentarians for the confidence re- resenting the institution at various levels. posed in him and pledged to carry every- Roger Nkodo Dang is from the Nyong body along. He poured encomiums on the and Mfoumou division of the Centre re- outgoing President of PAP, Ambassador gion. He holds a bachelors degree in Law Bethel Amadi for the able way he piloted and a Masters degree in International the affairs of the Parliament in the past Relations. Nkodo Dang was first elected three years particularly for ensuring the into the National Assembly of Cameroon in 2002 and re-elected in 2013. Before his approval of a revised protocol by the As- election as President of the Pan-African sembly of Heads of State and Government Parliament, was elected First Vice Presi- in June, 2014 which granted legislative dent in 2012 and re-elected in 2014 repre- powers in defined areas to PAP. Nkodo senting the Central African region. )31( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Political Participation of Women in Egyptian & African Parliaments

History of Egyptian Women Participa- vote and to run of the parliament came af- tion in Parliamentary Life ter a long struggle of Egyptian women led by feminists like Doria Shafik. MP Amina Egyptian women were given the right to Shukry also ran and won in the 1957 par- run for parliament in 1956, making them liament in the runoffs in Alexandria. the first to be granted suffrage rights in the In the 1964 parliament, women grabbed Arab world. Suffrage right was stipulated eight seats, which amounted to 2.2 percent in the 1956 constitution and in 1957, eight of the 360 seat house. The introduction of women ran for seats in parliament. On quotas in 1979 marked another milestone July 14, 1957 the first two Egyptian wom- for Egypt’s women. The quota reserved en won seats in parliament, making histo- 30 seats for women and women could also ry both in Egypt and in the Arab world. compete against men over other seats. In Historically, the first Egyptian woman MP 1979, 200 women contested and 33 won to be elected in Egypt was Rawya Attiya in parliamentary seats. Late president An- 1957. In 1956, as the Egyptian Constitution war al-Sadat appointed two more women, granted the Egyptian women the right to which brought the total to 35 women law- vote and to run for the Parliament, Raw- makers, accounting for eight percent of ya Attiya ran for elections in Dokki Con- seats. The quota was broadened in 1984 stituency in 1957 for the National Assem- to include marginalized categories which bly and she got 110,807 votes. Attiya was reduced the percentage of women in par- raised in a political family, her father was liament to 7.8 percent or 36 seats. In the a leading Al-Wafd Party member in Giza following elections, the quota was can- governorate during the Royal era. Unlike celled and the drop was more pronounced. most of the girls during then, Rawya At- Women only made up 3.9 percent of law- tiya completed her education and got a makers in 1987, when 14 female contend- bachelor degree in education from Cairo ers won seats and four were appointed. University in 1946. She also took a diplo- But 1990 marked an even harsher blow ma in psychology and a Master degree in to women, who only made up 0.22 per- journalism. After working in education as cent of all lawmakers, after winning 10 a teacher for 15 years, she joined the Egyp- of 454 seats. The quota was reinstated in tian armed forces during the 1956 war in 2010, guaranteeing 64 seats, but women its medical sector. The right of women to were unable to win any additional seats.

)32( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 In 2012, the quota was lifted and female Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs as representation in parliament was less than well as the executive-director of the Mag- 2 percent despite a record number of can- di Yacoub foundation. After graduating didates that exceeded 900. with a bachelor’s degree in economics and After the June 30 revolution in 2013, political science from Cairo University, the Shura (Consultative) Council was dis- she served as a diplomatic attaché at the solved and the 2014 Constitution was is- Egyptian foreign ministry. Following her sued. This Constitution is considered one work for fourteen years at the Arab Eco- of the best Constitutions with regards to nomic Unity Council in the Arab League , women’s rights. It included gains for wom- Hassouna served as the general manager en in the different thresholds of political, of the Egyptian International Economic civil, economic and social rights. Forum. She is a lecturer at the Diplomatic In Egypt, a new parliamentary law Institute in the foreign affairs ministry as guarantees a minimum of 70 women repre- well as at the Banking Institute at the Cen- sentatives (or 5%) in a chamber compris- tral Bank of Egypt. ing 568 elected seats and 28 appointed by Rania Elwani the President. A total of 2,573 candidates Known as the Golden Fisher, Elwani stood in the most recent elections. Accord- is a former Olympic and African record ing to the Egyptian Centre for Women’s holder in swimming. Rania Elwani has Rights, 100 women candidates ran on competed in three Olympic Games: 1992 eight party lists and a further 110 women in Barcelona, 1996 in Atlanta and 2000 in ran as independents, totaling 8.2 per cent Sydney (semi-finalist in the 50 and 100 m of all candidates. Seventy-five women were freestyle swimming). She won three World directly elected, including five as indepen- Cup gold medals, two silver medals and dents, while another 14 were appointed one bronze medal in 1994-1995; she was by the President. As almost 15 per cent of six times silver medallist and four times Egyptian parliamentarians are now wom- bronze medallist at the African Champi- en, Egypt has made an impressive step onships in 1990; plus multiple gold, silver forward when compared to the results of and bronze medallist at the African Games previous elections held in 2012. President in 1991, 1995 and 1999.She was elected as Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued a presidential a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commis- decree appointing 28 parliamentarians sion in 2004 and was an IOC member to Egypt’s newly elected House of Repre- from 2004 - 2012. Elwani currently works sentatives, including the following female as a visiting physician of obstetrics and gy- prominent MPS: naecology at Ain Shams University. She is Anissa Hassouna the founder of many athletic associations Hassouna is the secretary-general of the that aim to prepare future Olympians.

)33( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Lamis Gaber, Lamis Gaber is a politi- tion of the Qur’an at the Faculty of Islamic cal writer. She is also a practicing physi- and Arabic Studies at Al-Azhar University cian. She has been published in an array for women. She was the first elected dean of Egypt-based publications. to the Islamic studies section at Cairo Uni- Caroline Maher, Maher, 29, serves as versity. the head of the human resources Depart- Bassant Ahmed Fahmy, The 64-year- ment in one of the leading automotive old Fahmy works as the chairman, man- companies in Egypt. ager and director of a finance, banking, Marianne Amir Rafael, The 38-year-old and consulting company. Rafael works as a consultant at the com- Pioneer Female MPs in Egyptian Par- munications and information technology liament ministry. She received her PhD from Cairo Egyptians women have prominent University. roles in contemporary history like: Safia Magda El-Sayed Bakry, The 41-year- Zaghloul (1878-1946) who was called “Om old Bakry is an assistant professor at the Al Masrreen”; Hoda Sharawi (1879-1947) Sadat Academy for Management Scienc- who established The Egyptian Women es. Union in 1923 and participated in the inter- Doaa Youssef Soliman, The 41-year-old national women conference held in Rome Soliman works as a professor of general in 1923; Samira Moussa, a nuclear scien- law at Cairo University. tist (1917-1952); Dr. Sohair Al Qalamawi Hala Mohamed Abu Ali, Abu Ali, 43, is (1911-1997) who made remarkable intel- professor at the Faculty of Economics and lectual contributions in the academic and Political Science at Cairo University. She is public life; Amina Al-Said (1914-1995), a also the Secretary General of the National writer and chief editor of “Hawa”(EVE) Council for Childhood and Motherhood. magazine; Mofida Abdel-Rahman (1914- Sherin Ibrahim Farrag, The 44-year- 2002) the first female lawyer, Seza Naba- old Farrag works as an assistant professor rawi (1897-1985), a female activist; Na- of biomedical engineering at MTI Univer- bawia Moussa (1887-1951), the pioneer sity for technology and information. of girls education; Malak Hefni Nassef Rasha Ahmed Ismail, The 44-year-old (1886-1918) who contributed greatly to Ismail heads the Spanish section at the the intellectual and political discourse on school of arts at Cairo University. the advancement of Egyptian women in Galila Osman Henawy, The 58-year-old the early 20th century; Dorriya Shafik Henawy is the head of the State Federa- (1908-1972) who fought for the women’s tion of Radio and Television. right to vote, and established the “Bent Mohga Ghaleb Hashem, The 60-year- Al Nile” Daughter of the Nile) Movement; old Hashem is a professor of interpreta- Eisha Abdel-Rahman, a writer and intel-

)34( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 lectual (1913-1998); Hekmat Abu-Zaid, Margaret Azer co-founded the liberal the first minister of social affairs in Sep- Democratic Front Party and later became tember 1962; Aziza Amir (1901-1952), one its first female Secretary General. She then of the founders of the Cinema industry in joined the Wafd Party. Egypt and the producer of the first Egyp- tian long narrative film “Laila” in 1927 Africa’s female MPs, Quota systems are and Om Kalthoum, who following the 1967 transforming African parliaments defeat, embarked on a four-year concert Legislation is a key driver of female tour across the Arab world to raise money representation. Heading up the African to rebuild the Egyptian military, to name contingent is Rwanda, by far the best per- but a few. former with 64 women (to 36 men) in par- Noteworthy, Princess Fatma, the daugh- liament, helped by a law stipulating that ter of Khedive Ismail, allocated 3357 acres 30% of all parliamentary seats be held by for charity, that their revenue not to be women. The next African state to figure is hers but for the people on the 13th of July South Africa, where the African National 1913.The revenue of that land would fund Congress upped its quota of women in the Islamic Charity society in order to ed- government from 30% to 50% in 2009. ucate the poor kids, she wanted them to be Botswana, by contrast, has dipped from doctors and engineers to revive her grand- 17% in 2003 (ranking it 54th in the world) father Mohamed Ali project in a way or to 8% (putting it 125th). Nigeria has in- another. creased its proportion up a shade from Among most notable contemporary fe- 5% to a still paltry 7%, according to the male parliamentarians are: statistics on women in parliament from the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Margaret Azer Of the 36 lower houses of parliament worldwide that have reached the 30% threshold considered necessary for women to have an impact on decision-making, 11 are African. At the end of 2012, one-fifth of sub-Saharan MPs on average were female, according to figures of the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union. That may not An activist, feminist, Copt and one of sound a lot, but marks an increase of sev- the very few female members of the 2012 en percentage points on 2002, and puts the dissolved Egyptian parliament, Azer has a continent on a par with the global mean. distinguished presence in the Egyptian po- In many cases, the gains are because of litical and social scene for years. In 2007, quota systems, which are increasingly

)35( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 popular. In 2012 Senegal’s parliament saw sitions of parliamentary leadership can- the fastest advance in female representa- not be overstated. Women have proven tion globally after it enforced a parity law. many times over their willingness to usher Women make up almost half of it. South in gender -sensitive reforms. The case of Africa is not far behind, ranking eighth Mauritius is illustrative. There, the coun- in the world, with women taking 42% of try’s first woman Speaker, Santi Bai Ha- Parliament’s seats, almost double the rate noomanjee, has sought to establish a par- in 1994 when the ruling African National liamentary caucus on gender equality, Congress (ANC) created a voluntary party which will review legislation and policies quota, allocating 30% of posts to women. from a gender perspective. Minimal change was seen in women’s After unprecedented numbers of women average share of all parliamentary seats were reported to have contested the 2015 following elections in 2015: it rose by election in Sudan, the number of women only 0.5 percentage points. In the past ten MPs increased by five percentage points, years, that figure has increased by 6.4 per- to 30.5 per cent. Twenty-two political par- centage points, from 16.2 to 22.6 per cent. ties reportedly submitted electoral lists Women took 25 per cent of all the seats up that included a total of 128 woman candi- for renewal in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa dates, while a number of women also ran increased its regional average by 0.7 per- as independents. This high proportion of centage points, bringing women’s repre- women candidates is directly linked to the sentation up to 23.2 percent. National Electoral Law: it allows political parties more than 4 percent of whose can- The number of women Speakers of Par- didates are women to nominate women for liament reached an all-time high by the reserved seats. end of 2015 at 49 (or 17.9% of the total Only 22.8 per cent of all national parlia- number of Speakers). Women also became mentarians were women as of June 2016, a Speakers for the first time ever in Namib- slow increase from 11.3 per cent in 1995 As ia. In Namibia, long-time Deputy Speaker of September 2016, 10 women are serving of the upper house and Chair of the IPU’s as Head of State and 9 are serving as Head Coordinating Committee of Women Par- of Government. Rwanda had the high- liamentarians, Margaret Mensah-Wil- est number of women parliamentarians liams, was promoted to Speaker, in a new worldwide. Women there have won 63.8 era of female leadership, following the ap- per cent of seats in the lower house. Glob- pointment in 2015 of Saara Kuugongelwa- ally, there are 38 States in which women Amadhila as Namibia’s first female Prime account for less than 10 per cent of parlia- Minister. mentarians in single or lower houses, as of The importance of women in these po- June 2016, including 4 chambers with no

)36( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 women at all. political affairs. Together women in Sudan As of June 2016, only 2 countries have worked to not only gain legal standing, but 50 per cent or more women in parlia- to acquire equality and positions within ment in single or lower houses: Rwanda government. A year later, Fatima would with 63.8 per cent and Bolivia with 53.1 become the first woman elected to Sudan’s per cent; but a greater number of coun- newly established parliament. Fatima re- tries have reached 30 per cent or more. turned to Sudan to be appointed as deputy As of June 2016, 46 single or lower houses in the Parliament in 2005. She announced were composed of more than 30 per cent her retirement in 2007 at the age of 74, women, including 14 in Sub-Saharan Af- stating “Now is the time to hand over the rica and 11 in Latin America. Out of those banner to the youth” and called for a new 46 countries, 40 had applied some form of generation of young men and women to quotas - either legislative candidate quo- take her place. tas or reserved seats - opening space for Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga (Uganda) women’s political participation. Gender balance in political participation and deci- sion-making is the internationally agreed target set in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Prominent African Female Parlimentar- Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga is a Ugandan ians lawyer and politician who has been Speaker Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim (Sudan) of the Parliament of Uganda since 19 May 2011. She is the first female to be elected Speaker in the history of the Parliament in Uganda. She succeeded Edward Ssekandi, who served as Speaker from 2001 to 2011. She is also the current Member of Parlia- ment (MP) for the Kamuli District Wom- en’s Constituency, Busoga sub-region, a For over 60 years Fatima Ahmed Ibra- position she has served in since 1989. him placed herself at the forefront of women’s rights and social change in Su- Rose Mukantabana (Rwanda) dan. She rose to prominence as a leader of the 1964 revolution for independence. Her public presence and powerful personality inspired other women to become active in

)37( Our Continent Africa Issue 22 Born 31 August 1961, Rose Mukanta- the parliamentary body. In 2012, she was bana is a lawyer and women’s rights ac- elected to serve as the chair of the Afri- tivist. She is the former President of the can Parliamentary Union (APU) through Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda and was 2015. the first woman elected to the post. She was elected to serve as chair of the Afri- Naima Ben Yahia (Morocco) can Parliamentary Union from 2013-2015. She earned a post-graduate “specialized diploma in human rights” from Univer- sité Saint-Louis Bruxelles. In 2002, she served as vice president of Pro-Femmes, a pacifist umbrella organization which co- ordinated the efforts of 43 NGOs for wom- en’s development and rights. In 2005, she Ms Naima Ben Yahia has been a repre- began working as the National Coordina- sentative of “Istiqlal” party on the Nation- tor of the Women’s Legal Rights Initiative al List in the Moroccan House of Repre- sponsored by USAID and in 2007, moved sentatives since 2011, where she advocates to “Action Aid International Rwanda”, strongly for social and gender equality is- first serving as Women’s Rights Coordi- sues. Through the Ministry of Social De- nator and later as the Program Develop- velopment, Family and Solidarity, Ms Ben ment Manager. In 2008, she was elected Yahia is the Director of Women’s Affairs as a Member of Parliament representing and Gender, co-ordinator for the parlia- the Kigali City constituency. On 6 Octo- mentary working group of male and fe- ber, 2008, she was elected by her fellow male parliamentarians for gender equal- MPs to serve as President of the Cham- ity, and the Moroccan parliamentarian ber of Deputies of Rwanda until 2013 by head for the gender and gender develop- a margin of 70 for and 10 against. Her ment public policy group. election made her the first female to head

)38( Our Continent Africa Issue 22