From Historic Solidarity to Practical Partnership
Council of Arab Ambassadors in South Africa hosts President of the Pan-African Parliament
Pretoria — 5 October 2026
The Council of Arab Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of South Africa hosted H.E. Dr. Fathih Boutebik, President of the Pan-African Parliament, at an extraordinary meeting in Pretoria to discuss ways to strengthen the Arab–African partnership and advance parliamentary cooperation.
H.E. Ambassador Hanan Jarrar, Ambassador of the State of Palestine and Deputy Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps, opened the meeting by underscoring the deep-rooted ties between the Arab and African regions. She highlighted the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their unwavering attachment to their land and legitimate rights despite the severity of the Israeli occupation’s criminal practices and more than eight decades of displacement, destruction, starvation and genocide. She commended African and international positions in support of the Palestinian cause, condemning the occupation and calling for accountability and an end to impunity.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Ambassador Ali Achoui, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and Chair of the Council for the month of October. He welcomed the guest and congratulated him on assuming the presidency of the Pan-African Parliament, stressing the importance of strengthening Arab–African parliamentary cooperation.
H.E. Ambassador Reyad Al-Akbari, Head of the League of Arab States Mission in Pretoria, stated that the meeting reflected the shared commitment to advancing the partnership between the League of Arab States and the African Union, as well as cooperation between the Arab Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament. He emphasized the role of parliamentary diplomacy in bringing peoples closer together, upholding international law, and supporting the right of states to harness their resources and pursue sustainable development.
Ambassador Al-Akbari also expressed deep appreciation for the positions of the Pan-African Parliament, the African Union, and African governments and peoples in supporting the Palestinian people’s struggle, steadfastness and attachment to their land, as well as their condemnation of the occupation and the displacement, starvation and genocide endured by the Palestinian people for more than eight decades.
In his address, H.E. Dr. Fathih Boutebik, President of the Pan-African Parliament, called for transforming historic Arab–African solidarity into practical partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to citizens. He advocated the establishment of regular parliamentary dialogue, the activation of the cooperation agreement between the Arab Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament, and greater exchanges of legislative expertise, training and capacity-building, supported by clearly defined priorities and follow-up mechanisms.
Dr. Boutebik outlined his vision for developing the Pan-African Parliament, strengthening its relations with national and regional parliaments, and expanding the participation of women and youth in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation in investment, industrialisation, technology transfer and scientific research, as well as the potential offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He further reaffirmed the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states, safeguarding national institutions, supporting peaceful settlements and African solutions to African problems, and strengthening coordination between Arab and African countries in international forums. He reiterated his support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State on the borders of 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The interventions by the Ambassadors further enriched the discussion with proposals aimed at strengthening political, economic, scientific and parliamentary cooperation between the Arab and African regions.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining regular communication and coordination among the Council of Arab Ambassadors, the League of Arab States Mission and the Pan-African Parliament, and to following up on joint initiatives. Commemorative gifts were also exchanged on the occasion.
Article and photo: Mission of the League of Arab States in South Africa