The EU’s Engagement with Regional Democratic Institutions in the South: the case of African (Sub) Regional Parliaments

This paper will discuss how the EU has been engaging with other regions by enhancing regional parliamentary organs in Africa. In doing so the paper explores some of the opportunities, challenges and prospects which merit increased attention and ought to be integrated in the (sub) regional parliaments in Africa. In addressing these issues it presents the various forms of parliamentary and joint parliamentary constellations that exist. It considers their mandates, which often hover on the power of direct legislation (rarely) or the power to exert political pressure through non binding resolutions and recommendations (common). The paper discusses some of the ways in which inter-regional engagement between the EU and these regions could be translated into more effective law making and pressure wielding parliamentary organs. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on encouraging the national governments and parliaments to embrace their regional assemblies. As discussed in the paper, the strategies to enhance the role of regional parliaments will have to be recognised and adapted to acknowledge this fact.