By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has called on the regional institutions to use their resources to help address poverty, terrorism, violent extremism, food insecurity and climate change in the sub-region.
The Speaker stated this while declaring open the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWASParliament on Monday, in Abuja.
According to her, there is the need for a variety of approach to address the numerous challenges bedeviling the West African sub-region.
She said: “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.”
Speaker Ibrahima acknowledged that during the 2024 Second Extraordinary session held in Kano State, Nigeria in May, the Parliament considered and adopted the Rules of Procedure, Strategic Plan of the 6th Legislature and the 2024 Activity, which are key to the functioning of the Community Parliament.
She also noted that the 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 Speaker further said that and urgent actions are being taken in collaboration with other ECOWAS institutions to implement the recommendations, noting that during its last two meetings, the Bureau of Parliament had lengthy discussions on 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 expressed gratitude to President Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo, for his brilliant success in organising the elections of 29 April 2024, and for the relevant constitutional and institutional reforms rolled out in Togo.
Speaker Ibrahima also extolled 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.