During the 85th session of the Executive Committee of the Pan-African Parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly Ousmane Sonko held a pivotal meeting with Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, Chair of the continental institution’s Executive Committee. The high-level discussion took place on June 4 and centered on strengthening the Union Parlementaire Africaine (UPA) amid Africa’s mounting challenges.

The closed-door exchange highlighted critical areas for improvement, with Sonko proposing strategic reforms to enhance the UPA’s operational efficiency. His proposals emphasized the need to streamline processes and boost the Union’s influence over the continent’s key political and institutional directions. The Senegalese parliamentarian stressed that without structural changes, the UPA risked falling short of its mandate to drive cohesive continental policies.

A key point of the conversation involved aligning the UPA’s decisions with those of the African Union (AU). Sonko argued that closer synchronization between the two bodies would eliminate redundancies and foster greater unity in African governance. By bridging gaps between institutional recommendations, he believes the continent could present a more unified stance on global issues.

This meeting underscores the ongoing efforts across Africa to revitalize regional institutions, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of member states. The call for reform reflects broader debates on how parliamentary bodies can better serve the continent’s development and integration goals.