Kiraso loses out on top Pan African Parliament job

Former deputy secretary general of the East African Community (EAC), Beatrice Kiraso, has been edged out of the race for the Clerk to the Pan African Parliament.

The first vice president of the Pan African Parliament, Eduardo Joaquim Mulembwe, informed the House that the successful candidates were Vipya Harawa from Malawi, while Gali Massa Harou (Chad) was the deputy clerk.

The endorsement was characterized with chaos and sections of the legislators claiming foul play. Members started questioning the criteria used in the selection process, and why the third best candidate was given the job of clerk.

According to Rachel Shebesh from Kenya, while the bureau gave reasons as to why it did not give the clerk job to the best candidate from Sierra Leone, it gave no reasons as to why it could not give the job to the second best candidate, from Uganda. It instead went to the third best candidate from Malawi.

"In Africa, everything is about regional balance and inclusivity. We cannot be a region that is being silenced simply because another one can marshal support from other regions. That kind of politics in the PAP is cheap" Shebesh said.

"As the Eastern region, we are disappointed because this lady is highly qualified" he added.

The bureau, which comprises the PAP president and four vice-presidents, is charged with the administration and management of the assembly.

The aggrieved legislators have vowed to challenge the decision of the house in the courts of the law.

"You don't shift selection criteria when you are confronted with a candidate. You define that criterion in the advertisement," Prof. Ogenga-Latigo, one of Uganda's PAP representatives said.