OACPS Africa Region Parliamentary Group and the 1st Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly Conclude Historic Meetings in the Kingdom of Eswatini, Advancing a New Era of Parliamentary Diplomacy and OACPS Africa–EU Cooperation

Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini 14 May 2026 — The OACPS African Region Parliamentary Group held a series of meetings in Ezulwini Valley, Kingdom of Eswatini, from 7-11 May 2026, bringing together parliamentarians from across the OACPS African region to discuss shared priorities, strengthen regional coordination and consolidate Africa’s voice within the OACPS Parliamentary Assembly. These meetings fed into the inaugural OACPS–EU 1st Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly, held from 12 to 14 May 2026 under the framework of the Samoa Agreement.

The strong participation of parliamentarians from 41 out of 48 OACPS African Member States reflected a renewed commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, African coordination and the strengthening of the OACPS as a strategic political platform for dialogue, cooperation and collective advocacy.

Held within the reform agenda advanced by the Secretary-General of the OACPS, H.E. Mr Moussa Saleh Batraki, the meetings reflected the shared objective of revamping the parliamentary dimension of the Organisation and making it more visible, structured, autonomous and connected to national parliaments.

In his opening and welcome remarks, His Royal Highness Prince Lindani underlined the significance of the meetings as a moment to strengthen OACPS solidarity, regional coordination and inter-parliamentary dialogue. He recalled the evolution of the Organisation from the Georgetown Agreement to the Samoa Agreement, stressing that the partnership must now translate into concrete results for citizens. In this regard he called on parliamentarians to work with urgency on issues that directly affect people’s lives, including peace, development, youth unemployment, climate pressures and economic transformation.

Preceding the parliamentary group meeting were Sub-Regional consultations across Africa. Members discussed the following:

• ratification and implementation of the Samoa Agreement,
• Priorities of the various sub-regions in implementing the Samoa Agreement, which include peace and security, economic transformation, industrialisation, youth employment, education, climate resilience, migration and mobility, value addition, regional integration, and
• Stronger parliamentary oversight.

The sub-regional consultations culminated in a brainstorming session by the whole region. The brainstorming session and the regional Plenary that exchanged on the following

• Global Gateway and the Implementation of the Samoa Agreement
• Priorities of the Africa Regional Parliamentary Assembly
• Reform of the Assembly, including its structures, financing, and working methodologies

Addressing the Regional Plenary Meeting, the Secretary-General His Excellency Mr. Moussa Saleh Batraki, highlighted the outcomes of the 11th OACPS Summit in Malabo, which called for a transformed, more credible, autonomous and influential Organisation. He stressed that the OACPS remains a unique platform bringing together Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific and serving as an important instrument for South-South cooperation, political dialogue and solidarity. He however underlined that the Organisation must now undertake profound institutional, financial and political reforms in order to strengthen its relevance, visibility and support to its Member States.

Looking ahead, the Secretary-General urged Members of Parliament to take ownership of the reform agenda and help bring the OACPS closer to the people they represent. In this regard, he called for stronger and more direct cooperation between the Secretariat and parliamentarians through improved communication, timely consultations and greater parliamentary involvement in the Organisation’s priorities and reform agenda. He also indicated the Secretariat’s intention to establish a dedicated team to support parliamentary activities and strengthen institutional coordination with the Assembly

The Parliamentary Meetings of the African Region contributed to rich, interactive and dynamic exchanges with the European Union, addressing key issues of shared interest, including the role of regional organisations and their parliaments in promoting peace and security in Africa, as well as the challenges and opportunities related to youth education and mobility.

The Joint Assembly also held dedicated Women and Youth Forums. The Women’s Forum focused on “Empowering Women in Agriculture Value Chains as a Driver of Economic Development”, in the framework of the United Nations International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. The Youth Forum provided an opportunity for young people and parliamentarians to engage on issues linked to youth education and mobility, in line with the broader keynote debate of the Assembly

The President of the Africa Parliamentary Group, Hon. David Houinsa, welcomed the proposals emanating from all the sessions and stressed that these meetings reinforced the importance of building a stronger parliamentary platform capable of advancing Africa’s priorities within the OACPS and in its partnership with the European Union.

The EU and OACPS delegates expressed profound appreciation to His Majesty King Mswati III, the Government and people of the Kingdom of Eswatini, the Parliament of Eswatini for the warm hospitality, excellent organisation and support extended throughout the meetings.

The Assembly concluded with the adoption of a joint political recommendation to be submitted to the Africa–EU Council of Ministers, reflecting shared priorities and reinforcing commitments to multilateralism, parliamentary dialogue and sustainable development under the Samoa Agreement.