The Economic Community of West African States Parliament is stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from leaving the regional bloc.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, confirmed that parliamentary diplomacy mechanisms are being deployed to engage the three nations, emphasising the importance of unity within ECOWAS.
He spoke in an interview on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with newsmen in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on the sidelines of a meeting of the parliament’s Joint Committee on Administration, Finance, Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, of which he is Chairman.
Kalu assured that letters had been sent to the governments of the concerned nations, and visits by parliamentary representatives would soon follow.
He expressed confidence that dialogue would lead to their reintegration into the regional body.
“There are already mechanisms in place, through what is called parliamentary diplomacy, to reach out to them.
“Letters have been sent to them, and very soon, some of us will start visiting those countries to engage the heads of government.
“We will open up the doors for them to come back to the family; We need them.
“We will tell them, for instance, that, granted, maybe they were offended by one or two things, but let us sit down again and discuss,” the deputy speaker stressed.
Kalu also noted that even in a worst-case scenario where the three countries proceed with their exit, ECOWAS’s financial stability would not be at risk.
He highlighted the organisation’s multiple revenue streams, including the Community Levy and contributions from development agencies.
“There are many other sources. So, we want to make sure that we streamline it and know where monies are coming from.
“If these are not enough, we will increase because there are so many development agencies, there are so many people who are interested in the sub-region.
“There are multiple ways of raising funds for the parliament, as well as the community,” he said.
In addition to addressing the potential exits, the ECOWAS Parliament is pushing for reforms to strengthen legislative independence.
Kalu, who also chairs the country’s House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee, said that the laws governing ECOWAS need updating to reflect the changing political landscape.
The proposed amendments would bolster the separation of powers and enhance the credibility of the institution on the international stage.
“The protocols that brought the ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS Parliament into existence need to be overhauled.
“This is because these laws are not cast in stones; Indeed, no law is cast in stone”, the two-term lawmaker (APC-Abia, Bende Constituency) added.
Since January 28, 2024, when the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, the regional body has attempted to negotiate their return through sanctions relief and invitations to technical meetings.