Mutharika for stronger, focused African Parliament

President Peter Mutharika has said Africa needs to remain united if resolutions made at the Pan African Parliament have to stand.

The President was speaking at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) on his return from this year’s session for the continental Parliament currently underway in Midrands, South Africa.

Mutharika also reiterated the significance of belonging to such a Parliament, saying Malawi stands to benefit from it as the House deliberates topical issues such as economic integration, peace and security, socio-economic development, and  youth and women empowerment, among others.

“It is a very important gathering and we are trying to improve it; to give it more executive powers. Of course, it is up to the African heads of State to agree on this which I feel they should soon. It’s just the beginning but we are moving towards that direction,” Mutharika said.

The current session of the Pan-African Parliament also saw First Lady Gertrude Mutharika appointed its goodwill ambassador, a development the President also touched on when he addressed the media at KIA.

The Pan African Parliament comprises 55 member States that, in turn, send five delegates each to constitute the 255 member continental legislative body. n