Structure
The organs of the African Parliamentary Union are the Conference of Presidents of National Parliaments, the Executive Committee and the General Secretariat.
The Conference of Presidents:
This is the Union’s supreme body. It is composed of the Presidents of National Parliamentary Assemblies or their representatives. It meets once a year in ordinary session, but may be convened in extraordinary session on the proposal of the Executive Committee or at the request of two-thirds of its members. At the end of each of its ordinary sessions, it elects the Chair of the Executive Committee.
Representatives of African countries, whether or not they have parliaments, and of inter-regional and international organisations may be admitted as observers.
It discusses current issues of interest to the Union, Africa and the world, and adopts Declarations, Resolutions, Motions and Recommendations which it addresses to the relevant Governments and Organisations. It may decide on specific missions and adopt reports thereon. It establishes committees within its ranks to assist it in its work.
The Executive Committee
It consists of three members per National Group, elected by the Conference for a two-year term. It is chaired by the President of a National Parliamentary Assembly. It meets twice a year in ordinary session. One of the two sessions takes place immediately prior to the Conference. It may convene in extraordinary session. Its responsibilities include monitoring the implementation of the decisions and recommendations of the Conference of Presidents, adopting the annual work programme, approving the budget and financial accounts, and fostering closer ties with international organisations.
Brief biography of the President of the APU Executive Committee 
Family background
Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge is originally from the province of Katanga. He was born on 4 August 1977 in Paris (France), the son of Faustine Mwansa and Stéphane Lukonde Kyenge, an iconic figure in Katanga politics who was assassinated in 2001. He is an engineer and political figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Education
Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge graduated from the Mutoshi Technical Institute in Kolwezi, Lualaba, in 1996 with a degree in industrial chemistry.
In 2000, he obtained a second degree in Computer Science/Information Technology in South Africa, then his final degree at the University of Lubumbashi in Chemistry (Inorganic and Metallurgy option) in 2006.
He also benefited from training courses he completed at Gécamine, specifically in Luilu, at EMT Likasi, in Shituru, at the Lubumbashi plant, as well as in Nzilo and at SINTEXKIN.
Professional career
Jean-Michel Sama Lukonge Kyenge's professional career began in South Africa at Multichoice Africa before returning to his country in 2001, where he worked until 2004 in the mining sector on a partnership project between Gécamines, Edina and Triples K at the Kamwale, Luisha and Kabolela sites.
From 2005 onwards, he was manager of the Small Mineral Services copper plant, then a consultant for several private companies in the mining sector: Métal Mines, Huashin, Rubamin, etc.
On 3 June 2019, Sama Lukonde Kyenge was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Gécamines by President Félix Tshisekedi.
Political career
From 2006 to 2011, he was a Member of Parliament.
In 2015, he was appointed Minister of Youth, Sports and Leisure.
On 15 February 2021, following the overthrow of the Ilunga government, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge was tasked by President Félix Tshisekedi with forming a new government as the future Prime Minister[.
His government team was announced on 12 April 2021 and comprises 56 members (including 14 women). ‘Female representation: 27%. Average age: 47.
New figures: 80%. Priorities: security, health, education, justice, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, economy, electoral process, infrastructure, digital,’ he summarised on Twitter. He was sworn in by the National Assembly on 26 April.
His term in office was marked by reforms in the areas of security, the economy and governance.
In January 2024, after the provisional results of the parliamentary elections of 20 December 2023 were published, he was elected National Deputy in the mining province of Haut-Katanga, where he is from.
On 20 February 2024, he submitted his resignation and that of his government, stating in a video that he wished to focus on his mandate as National Deputy.
On 29 April 2024, he was elected Senator to the Provincial Assembly of Haut-Katanga.
On 12 August 2024, Sama Lukonde Kyenge was elected President of the Senate, with 84 votes out of 96.
He is a member of the Avenir du Congo (ACO) political party. This party belongs to the ‘Agissons et Bâtissons’ (AB) political group, a member of the Union Sacrée.
During the 84th Session of the Executive Committee and the 47th Conference of the African Parliamentary Union (APU), held from 18 to 22 November 2025 in Kinshasa, His Excellency Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde was elected President of the Union's Executive Committee.
The General Secretariat:
It serves as the administrative liaison body between the Parliaments and the Union, and between the Union and international organisations.
Mr IDI Gado Boubacar was appointed Secretary General by the 41st APU Conference, which took place on 8 and 9 November 2018 in Abuja. His term of office was renewed by the 44th Conference held in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
The duties of the Secretary General include ensuring the implementation of decisions taken by the Executive Committee and the Conference, making statements on behalf of the Union, and mobilising financial and human resources to develop the Union’s activities and achieve its objectives. The Secretary General is responsible for the administrative and financial services of the APU.
Mr. IDI GADO Boubacar has devoted twenty-six (26) years of his career to serving the parliamentary institution at both national and international levels.
After serving in the National Assembly of Niger for five years, he held the post of Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Committee of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (CIP-UEMOA) for fifteen (15) years. In this capacity, he was the driving force behind all UEMOA parliamentary sessions and took part in major missions aimed at peacebuilding and strengthening democracy, notably in Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Niger and Burkina Faso. He contributed to the drafting of the Treaty establishing the UEMOA Parliament.
From 2008 to the present day, he has participated in almost all General Assemblies of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Since November 2018, he has served as Secretary General of the African Parliamentary Union. He coordinates the activities of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s African Geopolitical Group.
In his own country, he has held senior positions, including:
- Minister of Communication, Culture, Youth and Sport,
- State Secretary for Youth and Sport,
- Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister,
- Financial Adviser to the Prime Minister,
- First Deputy to the Treasurer General.
Mr, IDI Gado Boubacar is a Knight of the Order of Mono (Togo) and holder of the UEMOA Integration Gold Medal.
M.IDI Gado Boubacar,Secretary General of the African Parliamentary Union