ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Seeks Support to Tackle Poverty, Terrorism

The Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mamounatou Ibrahima, has stressed the need for a multifaceted approach to tackle the diverse crises ravaging West Africa.

The Speaker made this known in her remarks when she declared open the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, which commenced in Abuja on Monday, even as she solicited the assistance of the regional institutions to tackle the scourge of poverty, terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity and climate change in the sub-region.

The leader of the 6th Legislature noted that the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed very ifficult situations in West Africa saying, “we are still grappling with a number of scourges and challenges, such as poverty, climate change, the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and the conflict in the Middle East, to name but a few.

“Unfortunately, these problems are compounded by another phenomenon of staggering proportions in our region, namely the upsurge in the threat of terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, which is costing the lives of our valiant defence and security forces, as well as thousands of innocent people. This asymmetrical threat weighs heavily on our conscience as Africans.”

She said that at the 2024 Second Extraordinary session held from May 20 to 25, 2024 in Kano State, Nigeria, the Parliament considered and adopted the fundamental texts, which are key to the functioning of the Community Parliament, namely the Rules of Procedure, the Strategic Plan of the 6th Legislature and the 2024 Activity Plan.

She also said that the regional Parliament has taken steps to address the desire of three of its Member-States to withdraw from the Community, as well as the growing tensions between the Republics of Benin and Niger.

“Discussions on these various issues led to the adoption by Parliament of what is known as The “Kano Declaration”. Specifically, by means of this declaration, we have resolved, among other things, to: set up an Ad hoc mediation committee to initiate and maintain not only dialogue with the authorities of these different countries, but also communication among our various populations conduct field visits to understand and help settle disagreements between the two friendly and sister nations, Benin and Niger.

“We want to encourage the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the implementation of the joint defence strategy to fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” she added.

The Togolese-born Speaker assured that during its last two meetings, the Bureau of Parliament discussed these recommendations at length, and urgent actions are being taken in collaboration with other ECOWAS institutions to implement them.

On elections in West Africa, the speaker said the West African region has witnessed several elections, such as the presidential election in Senegal and the legislative and regional elections in Togo. She said Parliament took part in ECOWAS election observation missions in these two countries.

She expressed gratitude to Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, for his brilliant success in organising the elections of 29 April 2024, and for the relevant constitutional and institutional reforms rolled out in Togo. She also praised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for the supportive role he has played to promote democracy as the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government as well congratulated Bassirou Diomaye FAYE on his brilliant election as President of the Republic of Senegal on 2 April 2024.

Important dignitaries who graced the occasion include; President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.

Others included; Hon. Justice Edward Amoako-Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice; Hon. Yawovi Missiame Amenyo Adjourouvi, Minister for Human Rights, Citizenship Education and Relationships with the Institutions of the Togolese Republic; Distinguished Joao Alage Mamadu Fadia, Auditor General of ECOWAS Institutions; Ms Abira Bonfoh, President of the ASAAL Fondation; Hon. Abira Bonfoh, among others.