The two-day inaugural Pan-African Inter-Party Dialogue (PAIPD) Southern Africa conference aimed at placing emphasis on creating opportunities rather than deficits with the view to position political parties as proactive architects of Africa’s democratic and developmental future kicks-off today in Maseru, Kingdom of Lesotho.
Public Service and Administration and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Focal Point of the Republic of South Africa Minister, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi is attending the conference with the theme: “Advancing Governance through Strengthening Democratic Resilience for Early Warning and Conflict Prevention”
According to DPSA’s Acting Deputy Director-General: Government Services Access and Improvement, Dr Patrick Sokhela, the theme reflects the dual mission of the conference: reinforcing political parties’ role in governance reform while embedding resilience into democratic systems.
He said it also conveys a positive, forward-looking tone, positioning parties as architects of Africa’s democratic renewal and as active contributors to global democratic reform.
Dr Sokhela said Minister Buthelezi will actively participate on a high-level panel session on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention: Addressing the Impact of Unconstitutional Changes of Government on Governance, Peace, Security and Sustainable Development.
“This plenary will reflect on how political parties can contribute to embedding resilience and early warning for conflict prevention within democratic systems.
“The discussion will consider how inclusive and responsive party structures can support governance frameworks that remain legitimate and capable of withstanding political, social, and economic pressures, while aligning with continental commitments to democratic governance, early warming and conflict prevention,” he said.
Dr Sokhela further described the PAIPD Southern Africa conference as both timely and strategic, adding that democracy in Africa has shown resilience, but it continues to face pressures including coalition fragility, disinformation, declining citizen trust, and uneven institutional capacity.
At the same time, he said African political parties have demonstrated adaptability, making them pivotal actors in democratic renewal.
The PAIPD aims to:
- Provide a continental public good in the form of a neutral, inclusive platform where political parties can deliberate collectively.
- Promote intra- and inter-party dialogue, building trust, stability and accountability.
- Enhance parties’ ability to drive democratic consolidation while also contributing to Africa’s economic integration, green transition, digital transformation, and global positioning.
The objectives of the inaugural PAIPD Southern Africa Conference
- Establish mechanisms for the meaningful engagement of political parties within the APRM process.
- Facilitate inter-party collaboration and networking at national, regional, and continental levels.
- Strengthen intra-party democracy, inclusivity, and institutional resilience.
- Promote gender equality and youth leadership as central pillars of democratic governance.
- Foster solidarity and international alliances among African political parties.
- Support the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through resilient party systems.
Expected outcomes of the conference
- A Communiqué capturing the consensus and commitments of political parties, to be considered by APRM structures and AU Policy Organs.
- A framework and terms of reference for the PAIPD Political Party Network.
- Convergence on shared political values and standards based on Pan-Africanism and the African Renaissance.
- Recommendations for strengthening intra-party democracy, coalition governance, and citizen engagement.
- Actionable strategies to advance women’s political participation and youth leadership.
- Enhanced capacity of parties to contribute to peace, stability, and socioeconomic transformation in Southern Africa.
The APRM Continental Secretariat, in collaboration with African Union (AU) organs and strategic partners, has established the Pan-African Inter-Party Dialogue (PAIPD), an initiative that provides a neutral, non-partisan platform for structured dialogue between political parties and the APRM Network.
The platform enables them to strengthen their continental collaboration, institutional capacity through peer learning and sharing of best practices and reinforce their role as custodians of democratic culture.
The inaugural conference in Maseru convened political parties in both ruling and opposition, alongside regional parliamentary bodies and AU partners.
