The Rwandan Parliament has elected three deputies and two senators to represent the country at the Pan African Parliament (PAP), a legislative body of the African Union. Deputies Diogene Bitunguramye, Aimee Marie Ange Tumukunde, and Jennifer Wibabara were voted in on October 21, while Senators John Bonds Bideri and Pelagie Uwera were elected on October 22. PAP was set up under the 1991 Abuja Treaty to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent. ALSO READ: Pan-African Parliamentarians want full legislative powers It also serves as a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision making on the problems and challenges facing the continent. According to the spokesperson of the parliament, elected Members of Parliament (MPs) in Rwanda continuously engage in their national duties, participating in sessions as needed. They serve a five-year mandate during which they focus on legislative work, constituency outreach, and committee responsibilities. PAP members are called to attend formal sessions to discuss and vote on legislation, ensuring they represent the interests of their constituents effectively. ALSO READ: Ngoga makes case for transformation of Pan African Parliament into full continental legislative body The PAP has 275 members. Each member country in PAP is represented by five national legislators, with a requirement that at least one must be a woman. The representatives come from different political parties holding seats in their respective national parliaments and are appointed by their parliaments rather than through direct public elections. For Rwanda, three Deputies and two Senators represent the country in PAP, and their mandate aligns with their tenure in the national legislature.
