…Speaker Ibrahima say regional legislature remains largely consultative 25 years after creation
By Gloria Ikibah
The ECOWAS Parliament has renewed its call for stronger legislative and oversight powers, saying greater authority is needed for the regional legislature to become more representative and responsive to the people of West Africa.
The call was made on Tuesday when the Parliament received Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, during an official visit to the regional legislature.
The visit provided an opportunity for the two arms of the regional bloc to reaffirm their commitment to regional integration, democratic governance and stronger ECOWAS institutions.
Welcoming Faye, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, acknowledged the Senegalese leader’s priorities for the region, particularly collective security, dialogue, regional cohesion, economic sovereignty and political stability.
She, however, drew attention to the institutional limitations confronting the Parliament, 25 years after its establishment.
She said: “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”.
Speaker Ibrahima said strengthening the legislative and oversight functions of the Parliament will improve the credibility and legitimacy of ECOWAS institutions.
She called for the development of a stronger and more representative Parliament capable of playing a greater role in achieving the objectives of the Community.
The Speaker also reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to representative democracy, human rights, peace and security, as well as reforms aimed at bringing ECOWAS closer to its citizens.
Responding, President Faye commended the Parliament for its contribution to regional integration, particularly its role in monitoring Community policies, preventing conflicts, mediation and harmonising legislation across member states.
He described the ECOWAS Parliament as the “Assembly of the Peoples”, saying it had an important role to play in promoting democracy, regional dialogue, political stability, peace and social cohesion across West Africa.
“I would also like to highlight the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament within the sub-region as the Assembly of the Peoples”.
The Senegalese president assured the Parliament of his support in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, particularly in the implementation of its plans of action.
Faye also accepted an invitation to address the Parliament at a subsequent plenary session, where he is expected to present his vision for the West African region.
Also speaking, Nigeria’s Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, welcomed the Senegalese president’s engagement with the regional legislature.
Jibrin said the visit will deepen interaction between the Parliament and ECOWAS heads of state and government, while strengthening efforts towards regional integration.
“We greatly appreciate the attention you have devoted to our institution and your commitment to supporting the Parliament”, he said.
He therefore called for sustained efforts to strengthen the role of the Parliament and build closer relationships between ECOWAS institutions and the citizens they serve.
The engagement also highlighted the need for adequate resources and stronger institutional backing to enable the Parliament to effectively discharge its mandate.
The lawmakers emphasised that strengthening the regional legislature had become increasingly important as ECOWAS seeks to advance an integration process that responds more directly to the aspirations and concerns of West African citizens.
