Guinea Bissau

INTER PARES Partnership with the Parliament of Guinea Bissau (Round III)

Guinea Bissau

Priority 1 Enhancing Representation And Citizen Engagement
Priority 2 Enhancing the Legislative Function
Priority 3 Enhancing Oversight
Priority 4 Enhancing the technical quality of Constitutional Revisions

EU Member States Parliaments

EU Member States Parliaments

Activities:

  • Assessment of ANP procedures and performance regarding legislative, oversight and citizen engagement functions (November 2021)
  • Technical Consultations regarding the technical quality of the revisions to the Constitution of Guinea Bissau in Lisbon (March 15-18, 2022): Two constitutional experts and the Portuguese Parliament supported a 3 day revision process to ensure the text’s technical, juridic correctness.

  • Virtual presentation of the Portuguese Parliament’s Nota Técnica and Committee Reports (April 29, 2022): The Nota Tecnica is the report that committee staff prepare to assist deliberations.

  • Study visit to the Assembleia da República during the Portuguese budget session (May 23-27, 2022): Reviewed oversight structures, processes, procedures and ICT systems in the AR. Watched voting sessions and spoke with committees and staff.

  • Preparation of an Oversight Manual (Ongoing November 15-19, 2022):

    • AR parliamentary staff prepared a detailed assessment and draft Manual to enhance
      committee use of the oversight function (June – October 2022)

    • AR parliamentary staff visiting the ANP (November 15-19)to finalize the draft Manual

    • Manual graphics preparation by the AR

    • Printing and dissemination

  • Supporting the Parliament of Guinea Bissau’s Secretariat to improve internal oversight (November 28 - December 2, 2022): A one-week visit by three staff members from ANP to Lisbon to work with AR staff on how to prepare internal accounts procedures to be held in December 2022.

Outcomes:

  • Enhanced the technical quality and correctness of the Draft Revised Constitution - the resulting draft was placed on Parliament’s agenda by a vote with unanimous support.
  • Developing a committee guide and enhanced committee routines for legislative and programmatic oversight (in process now).
  • Develop a Template for Reports to support Committee oversight and analysis to be included in the draft Manual.
  • Staff and MP knowledge on oversight and legal drafting enhanced.