Region: Africa

IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong welcomes Zambian Vice President, Ms. Mutale Nalumango to the House of Parliaments.

Zambian Vice-President Nalumango visits the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

On 3 June 2025, the Zambian Vice-President, Ms. Mutale Nalumango, made a landmark visit to the House of Parliaments, the IPU’s headquarters. Accompanied by Ambassador Tembo Luambia, Ms. Nalumango’s presence underscored the strong partnership between Zambia and the IPU. The Zambian Parliament has been a particularly active Member of the IPU, maintaining a 100% rate […]

Parliamentary leaders from Chad, Gabon and Guinea meet in Libreville

IPU supports Libreville conference exploring pathways for post-transition parliaments

A high-level conference for parliaments in West and Central Africa currently experiencing transitions, focusing on The role of transitional legislative institutions in restoring a sustainable constitutional order, has concluded in Libreville, Gabon. The two-day event, on 5 and 6 May 2025, offered an opportunity for parliamentary leaders from Chad, Gabon and Guinea to exchange views […]

Delegation pictured with the President of the Assemblee Nationale, SEM Adama Bictogo.

Delegation to Côte d’Ivoire discuss development and the need for closer ties

I am delighted to have led a recent British Group Inter-Parliamentary Union visit to Côte d’Ivoire in February, especially in light of the upcoming Presidential election in October 2025. Alongside my fellow delegates Baroness Blackstone, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Marsha De Cordova MP, Baroness Hooper and Kate Osamor MP, we were able to gain a fantastic […]

Ms. Tininiska Rivera Bryan, daughter of the missing opposition MP Mr. Brooklyn Rivera Bryan from Nicaragua.

IPU highlights alarming human rights violations against MPs worldwide

As the 149th IPU Assembly concluded this week, the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians reported on its latest caseload detailing severe human rights violations faced by hundreds of MPs worldwide. The most common violations include attacks on freedom of expression, suspension or loss of parliamentary mandate, threats, intimidation, torture, arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance. […]

Stanley Mutale, a student at Kafue College of Nursing, poses for a portrait at the Shikoswe Health Centre in Kafue, Zambia © Michael Candelori / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP

IPU responds to the health needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations

In a collaborative effort, the IPU and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) have conducted a study aimed at enhancing the capacities of national parliaments to address the health needs of vulnerable and marginalized women, children and adolescents. This study underscores the importance of evidence-based approaches and the necessity for continuous monitoring […]

IPU welcomes Gambia’s decision to uphold female genital mutilation (FGM) ban

The Inter-Parliamentary Union welcomes the Parliament of Gambia’s recent vote to uphold a 2015 ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), rejecting a controversial bill seeking to reverse the law. On July 15 parliamentarians voted down the proposed law following months of public debate and advocacy efforts. IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong, who had been vocal in his […]

Protests in Nairobi. ©GERALD ANDERSON / ANADOLU VIA AFP

IPU statement strongly deplores violence during protests at the Kenyan parliament

The IPU strongly deplores the loss of life and the violence that occurred yesterday at the Kenyan Parliament. On behalf of the global parliamentary community, the IPU urges all parties to exercise restraint and calls on the authorities to refrain from any acts of brutality. The IPU firmly believes in the right of the Kenyan […]