What is the point of the Pan-African Parliament?
It is easy to forget that the Pan-African Parliament exists. Since its inaugural session in March 2004, the institution that was intended to be Africas highest legislative authority has struggled for impact and relevance. And judging by the sparse attendance at its parliamentary sessions, held several times a year, that forgetfulness extends to its own members. The parliament doesnt even have permanent headquarters. After 17 years, it is still operating in a converted conference venue in Midrand, a nondescript South African commuter town. Perhaps the problem is that it has no real power. It is meant to be the legislative body of the African Union. But its decisions are consultative and advisory. They are easily and regularly brushed aside by the heads of state who really control the union. Or perhaps it is that its members, while drawn from across the continent, are not elected by the people they are supposed to be serving. Instead they are appointed by their own national legislatures, meaning they answer not to citizens but to governments  few of whom have any genuine interest in citizen oversight. This week, however, there was finally some activity for long-term watchers of the legislature  at least for those of us who had not already fallen asleep. Something actually happened! There were scuffles. There were shoves. There were insults and punches  and even a death threat. Ill kill you outside. Outside this meeting, I will kill you, shouted South Africas Julius Malema at Malis Ali Kon (Malema, reverting to that classic playground excuse, said that Kon had threatened him first). Suddenly, and for the first time, the eyes of the continent are on the Pan-African Parliament. Even AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat was moved to comment: The shocking scenes of violence at the Pan African Parliament today tarnish the image of this honourable institution.  This is a man who rarely indulges in condemnation, despite the best efforts of, say, the survivors of sexual harassment within his own organisation; or the victims of the ongoing atrocities being committed in Tigray. It was not anything to do with improving governance or fighting corruption or holding our leaders accountable. Instead, the parliamentarians were squabbling amongst themselves over who gets to preside over their chambers. At stake is the position of president of the Pan-African Parliament, which was occupied until earlier this year by one Roger Nkodo Dang, who certainly appeared to enjoy his six years in the job. And why not, when much of it was spent in a suite at Johannesburgs ultra-luxurious Michelangelo Hotel  with another eight rooms booked for his retinue, all paid for by African taxpayers. Dang was driven around town in a Mercedes-Benz ML sport utility vehicle, after rejecting as substandard the Mercedes-Benz E-class that was initially allocated to him. When he finally did move out of the hotel, he occupied a residence in an exclusive housing estate in Pretoria that cost nearly $6,000 a month and came with two full-time chefs and two cleaners, all on the AU payroll. It is not just the luxuries that make the job so attractive  it is also the near-total lack of accountability. When staffers accused Dang of sexual harassment, bullying and nepotism in 2019, the Pan-African Parliament voted in secret to bury these allegations. This was against the recommendation of an internal inquiry, which found there was good reason to conduct a full investigation. The vote was only revealed to the public  whom the Pan-African Parliament is supposed to serve  after several whistleblowers raised the alarm to the South African newspaper, Mail & Guardian. Southern Africa, supported by North Africa, is pushing for its candidate (Zimbabwes Chief Fortune Charumbira) to be installed as Dangs successor, saying the position should be rotated through the regions; while the West African bloc, supported by East and Central Africa, wants direct elections which will likely result in another West African candidate (Malis Hadara Achata Ciss). This, then, is the dream job that fuelled the fighting in Midrand this week: lots of luxury, little responsibility, total impunity. No wonder that the (dis)honourable members want it for themselves  no matter what the cost to the parliaments reputation, and their own dignity.  With additional reporting by Mako Muzenda.