The ECOWAS Parliament has called for stronger legislative and oversight powers to enable it to represent the interests and aspirations of West African citizens more effectively.
Speaker of the Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, made the call when the regional legislature received Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Faye, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Faye’s visit provides an opportunity for the legislative and executive arms of ECOWAS to strengthen cooperation on regional integration, democratic governance and institutional reform.
Ibrahima acknowledged Faye’s priorities for the region, particularly collective security, dialogue, regional cohesion, economic sovereignty and political stability.
She, however, drew attention to the institutional constraints limiting the Parliament’s effectiveness, 25 years after its establishment.
“However, 25 years after its creation, the ECOWAS Parliament remains essentially a consultative body and, up to this point, does not have all the prerogatives of a fully-fledged legislative body,” she said.
According to her, empowering the Parliament with stronger legislative and oversight functions will enhance the credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness of ECOWAS institutions.
She said a stronger and more representative regional Parliament would enable the Community to respond more effectively to the needs of its citizens and advance the objectives of regional integration.
Ibrahima reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to representative democracy, human rights, peace and security, as well as reforms designed to bring ECOWAS institutions closer to the people.
She said the Parliament remained committed to working with other ECOWAS institutions to promote dialogue, stability, good governance and sustainable development across the sub-region.
ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima receives Senegalese President Bassirou on his arrival at the parliament during the visit.
Responding, Faye commended the Parliament for its contribution to regional integration and acknowledged its role in monitoring Community policies, conflict prevention, mediation and legislative harmonisation.
The Senegalese president described the ECOWAS Parliament as the “Assembly of the Peoples”, stressing its importance in strengthening democracy, regional dialogue, political stability, peace and social cohesion.
“I would also like to highlight the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament within the sub-region as the Assembly of the Peoples,” he said.
Faye assured the Parliament of his support, in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, particularly in implementing its programmes and plans of action.
He also accepted an invitation to address the Parliament at a subsequent plenary session, where he is expected to present his vision and priorities for the West African region.
Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sen. Barau Jibrin, welcomed the Senegalese president’s engagement with the regional legislature.
Jibrin said the visit would deepen interaction between the Parliament and ECOWAS heads of state and government, while creating greater momentum for regional integration.
“We greatly appreciate the attention you have devoted to our institution and your commitment to supporting the Parliament,” he said.
He called for sustained efforts to strengthen the Parliament’s institutional role and foster closer relationships between ECOWAS institutions and the citizens they serve.
The engagement also underscored the need for adequate resources and stronger institutional support to enable the Parliament to effectively discharge its mandate.
The lawmakers said strengthening the regional legislature was essential to making ECOWAS more democratic, accountable and responsive to the aspirations and concerns of West African citizens.
They called for sustained collaboration among ECOWAS institutions and member states to advance reforms that would give citizens a stronger voice in regional decision-making and deepen the integration process.(NAN)
