South African President Cyril Ramaphosa meets newly elected Pan-African Parliament President Dr Fateh Boutbig of Algeria and delegates during the opening of the seventh legislature of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Johannesburg. 27 July, 2026 - NNA News

NNA News - Pan-African leaders opened the continent’s parliament in Johannesburg on Monday, calling for a more united response to migration, stronger support for Palestinian statehood, faster economic integration and sweeping reform of global institutions.

Speaking at the official opening of the Pan-African Parliament’s seventh legislature in Midrand, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the newly elected PAP President Dr Fateh Boutbig from Algeria told lawmakers that Africa must strengthen its institutions. Both argued that the continent must deepen regional cooperation and speak with one voice on trade, climate change, conflict, migration and international law. "The Pan-African Parliament carries the hopes and aspirations of more than 1.5 billion Africans for peace, progress and prosperity," Ramaphosa said, urging lawmakers to ensure African Union commitments are translated into "tangible improvements in the lives of our people."

Boutbig, who was elected in April to lead the continental legislature, told delegates the PAP must become a results-driven institution focused on implementation rather than declarations. He added: "We believe that the time has come for the Pan-African Parliament to move from aspiration to achievement; from merely issuing recommendations to maximising their impact and following up on their implementation," outlining a legislative programme built around "Reform, Effectiveness, Partnership, and Delivery." Migration was central to the opening address as African countries continue to grapple with population movements driven by conflict, economic hardship, climate change and political instability.

Turning to the situation at home, Ramaphosa addressed growing anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa. He acknowledged public fears about illegal migration but cautioned against blaming migrants who have legal status in host countries. "We must not conflate lawful migrants, refugees and asylum seekers with people who enter or remain in countries in violation of immigration laws," he said. "Nor should migrants be made scapegoats for unemployment, crime or shortcomings in the delivery of public services," Ramaphosa said.

Delegates, parliamentary leaders and senior officials pose for a group photograph during the opening of the seventh legislature of the Pan-African Parliament at its headquarters in Midrand, Johannesburg. 27 July - NNA News

On his country's migration policy, he told parliamentarians that the South African government had a responsibility to enforce its immigration laws while protecting human dignity and upholding the rule of law. According to Ramaphosa, finding a lasting solution depends on African countries addressing the root causes of migration, including conflict, poverty, instability and weak governance, so that Africans "migrate out of choice and not necessity."

He therefore appealed to the Pan-African Parliament to help develop sustainable responses to migration while promoting opportunity and social cohesion across Africa. Both leaders said deeper economic integration could help address many of those challenges. They pointed to trade as one of the most immediate areas for progress.

Ramaphosa described the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as "the most powerful instrument we have to realise our cherished goal of African unity, prosperity and progress." He stressed that it could create jobs, boost industrialisation and expand opportunities for young people if governments removed non-tariff barriers, improved transport networks and aligned national legislation. Boutbig described the free trade area as "a civilisational and strategic project."

According to him, its success would depend on harmonised laws, stronger infrastructure, the freer movement of people, goods and services, and closer cooperation among African states. The two leaders also agreed that Africa must play a more influential role on the international stage. Turning to global institutions, the South African president renewed calls for reform of the United Nations Security Council and the international financial architecture, arguing that global institutions must become more representative, equitable and responsive to the needs of Africa and other emerging economies.

Boutbig stated the Pan-African Parliament would continue to champion international law, justice and "African solutions to African problems", while reaffirming the institution's support for peoples seeking self-determination. "From this standpoint, we renew our solidarity with the Palestinian people and our support for their legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent State," he said.

He also reaffirmed the parliament's commitment to completing Africa's decolonisation process in line with the United Nations Charter, the African Union's Constitutive Act and relevant international resolutions, adding the institution would continue supporting the continent's unfinished decolonisation agenda. Shifting focus to the continent's development goals, the leaders identified water security, climate change, digital sovereignty and the empowerment of women and young people as central to achieving the African Union's Agenda 2063 blueprint.

In closing, both leaders urged lawmakers to ensure the new parliament is judged by its impact rather than its rhetoric. "History will judge us not by the speeches we deliver, but by the Africa we build," Ramaphosa said. "Let this Parliament be the conscience of our continent." Boutbig struck a similar note, saying the seventh legislature should be remembered "by what it achieves for Africa, not by the promises it proclaims", adding that the Pan-African Parliament must remain "the voice of the peoples, the conscience of the continent, a beacon of unity, and a symbol of the Africa to which we all aspire."