Appoint Special Envoy to South Sudan, Mungatana

By Mwakwaya Raymond

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Kenya stands to benefit more on various business opportunities if at all it would appoint a Special Envoy to the Republic of South Sudan.

Speaking in Johannesburg in execution of Committee duties, the Head of Delegation to the Pan African Parliament Senator Danson Buya Mungatana said that the Special Envoy has a higher ranking than the Ambassador and was able to quickly access the Presidency of South Sudan to Push for Kenya’s interests.

Senator Mungatana noted that there is need to fill the position that fell vacant after the term for Kalonzo Musyoka who was serving in the same capacity came to an end sometime back.

The head of Delegation who was selected to seat in the Finance Committee of Pan African Parliament (PAP) said that other countries like Eritrea and Uganda which were not fully involved in the South Sudan Peace process, may end up reaping even more on business opportunities than Kenya.

PAP house meets at least twice in ordinary session within a one-year period.

The Permanent Committees meet twice a year (March and August) for statutory meetings and can meet more often during parliamentary sessions or for non-statutory meetings when the need arises.

**Head of Delegation to the Pan African Parliament Senator Danson Buya Munagatana third from right attending committee sitting in Johannesburg** South Africa (Photo/ Mwakwaya Raymond)

PAP has several Permanent Committees such as Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources which assists the Parliament with policy development and implementation of programmes on issues of access to education, promotion of culture and tourism, and human resource development.

Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution Committee considers policy issues on international cooperation and international relations on behalf of the Parliament and AU.

It also deals with conventions and protocols linking the Parliament with regional and international institutions. The Committee examines revisions of AU protocols and treaties and provides assistance to the Parliament in its conflict prevention and resolution efforts.

Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disabilities considers issues relating to the promotion of gender equality and assists the Parliament to oversee the development of AU policies and activities relating to family, youth and people with disabilities.

Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs examines the Parliamentary budget draft estimates. It also examines the AU budget and makes recommendations. The Committee reports to the Parliament on any problems involved in the implementation of the annual AU and PAP budgets. It advises the Parliament on economic, monetary and investment policies.

Committee on Trade, Customs and Immigration Matters: Deals with matters relating to the development of policy for cross-border, regional and continental concerns within the areas of trade (primarily external trade), customs and immigration. It assists the Parliament to oversee relevant organs or institutions and AU policies relating to trade.

Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs: Works to support the implementation of social development, labour and health policies and programmes throughout the AU, including through regional and international cooperation strategies.

Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology: .Assists the Parliament to oversee the development and implementation of AU policies relating to transport, communication, energy, science and technology, and industry.

***Tan river Senator Danson Mungatana at the Pan African Parliament Johannesburg South Africa (Photo/ Mwakwaya Raymond)***

Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline: Assists the Parliament Bureau to interpret and apply the PAP Rules of Procedure, as well as matters relating to privileges and discipline. It considers requests for ‘waivers of immunity’ submitted under the Rules of Procedure and examines cases of indiscipline. The Committee also considers proposals for amending the Rules of Procedure.

Committee on Justice and Human Rights: Assists the Parliament in its role of harmonising and coordinating Member States’ laws. It advocates for respect within the AU of the principles of freedom, civil liberties, justice, human and peoples’ rights, and fundamental rights.

Committee on Rural Economy, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment: Considers the development of common regional and continental policies in the agricultural sector. It provides assistance to the Parliament to oversee and promote the harmonisation of policies for rural and agricultural development as well as the AU’s natural resources and environmental policies.

Committee on Audit and Public Accounts (CAPA): Considers internal and external audit reports on the PAP, and the Board of External Auditors’ reports on the AU, and recommends measures for effective implementation of the recommendations.