The Parliament of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) has proposed the appointment of an ad-hoc mediation committee to prevail on three member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger not to leave the regional bloc.
The Acting Speaker of the Community Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin disclosed this at the opening of the 2024 Second Extraordinary Session of the Sixth of the ECOWAS Parliament in Kano State.
Senator Jibrin, who is the first Deputy Speaker of the regional parliament and Deputy Senate President emphasised that there is no alternative to a strong united regional bloc.
‘According to Senator Jibrin, “I will, in consultation with my colleagues on the Bureau, be proposing the appointment of an ad hoc mediation committee whose mandate will be to work with all stakeholders in getting our brothers to rescind their decision and come home and work towards promoting dialogue with a view to resolving conflicts in the region.
“It’s no doubt that we are stronger and there is absolutely no alternative to our collective aspirations of a united, peaceful and secure ECOWAS”
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso had in January this year announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.
The junta-led countries had been suspended from the regional bloc for coup d’état and were urged to return to democratic rule.
Senator Jibrin disclosed that the session will also provide an opportunity for the Community Parliament to deliberate and provide fresh perspectives on pressing issues in the ECOWAS Region and proffer recommendations on how peace, security and stability can be attained.
” As the Parliament looks towards facilitating the promotion of democracy, checks and balances, as well as accountability in the ECOWAS Community, having a strong ECOWAS Parliament is indispensable.
“I have had the esteemed honour of leading this parliament for barely two months and I have concluded that much needs to be done in terms of asserting the independence of the parliament in the exercise of its important roles of parliamentary oversight and representation.
“There is, also, a compelling need to build strong collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and undertake joint initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security and advancing development.
“While it is true that each institution has its unique prerogatives, the fact remains that there exist cross-cutting issues that are best addressed with enhanced collaboration among the community institutions”.
On the delegation of Togo to the parliament, Senator Jibrin disclosed that the delegation from that country that the speakership of the sixth legislature has been zoned to is expected to be sworn in as members of the parliament before the end of the session.
He noted that since the inauguration of the sixth legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on Thursday, April 2024, it has been able to make some notable achievements and participated in various regional, continental and international programmes.
In his address, the Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, emphasised the need to tackle the citizenship issues among ECOWAS member countries, regional security, integration, environmental and natural resources challenges, and higher education, employment, poverty, and democratic volatility.
He cautioned against allowing global powers to turn the region into a dumping ground for finished goods, stressing that Africa is not a dumping ground for global markets.
The Kano governor urged the Regional Parliament to revisit the issue of a common currency and passports, which would enhance the region’s economic viability and global competitiveness.
Governor Yusuf expressed concern about the proliferation of illicit drugs arms and light weapons, calling for concerted efforts to combat these menaces.
Governor Yusuf said that, despite challenges, the West African regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at $633 billion as of 2023, highlighting the region’s potential to become a significant global economic player.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar in a message assured the community of Nigeria’s Government’s continued support and identified the ECOWAS Parliament as a vital institution in fostering regional integration.
Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Musa Nuhu, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS stressed the need for the ECOWAS Community to strengthen its democratic institutions for the benefit of the region.
He said, “We need to collaborate with all organs and institutions within the ECOWAS. You have at your disposal so many instruments to use for you to achieve that.”
The minister urged the ECOWAS Parliament to use its various mechanisms to engage member countries that are currently under unconstitutional changes of government.