The Speaker of the Parliament of the Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS), Mamounatou Ibrahima, has confused the necessity for a multifaceted strategy to sort out the varied crises ravaging West Africa.
The Speaker made this recognized in her remarks when she declared open the First Odd Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, which commenced in Abuja on Monday, whilst she solicited the help of the regional establishments to sort out the scourge of poverty, terrorism, violent extremism, meals insecurity and local weather change within the sub-region.
The chief of the sixth Legislature famous that the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed very ifficult conditions in West Africa saying, “we’re nonetheless grappling with numerous scourges and challenges, corresponding to poverty, local weather change, the Russian-Ukrainian disaster and the battle within the Center East, to call however a number of.
“Sadly, these issues are compounded by one other phenomenon of staggering proportions in our area, particularly the upsurge in the specter of terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime, which is costing the lives of our valiant defence and safety forces, in addition to hundreds of harmless individuals. This asymmetrical menace weighs closely on our conscience as Africans.”
She mentioned that on the 2024 Second Extraordinary session held from Might 20 to 25, 2024 in Kano State, Nigeria, the Parliament thought-about and adopted the elemental texts, that are key to the functioning of the Group Parliament, particularly the Guidelines of Process, the Strategic Plan of the sixth Legislature and the 2024 Exercise Plan.
She additionally mentioned that the regional Parliament has taken steps to deal with the need of three of its Member-States to withdraw from the Group, in addition to the rising tensions between the Republics of Benin and Niger.
“Discussions on these numerous points led to the adoption by Parliament of what’s often called The “Kano Declaration”. Particularly, via this declaration, now we have resolved, amongst different issues, to: arrange an Advert hoc mediation committee to provoke and preserve not solely dialogue with the authorities of those completely different nations, but additionally communication amongst our numerous populations conduct subject visits to grasp and assist settle disagreements between the 2 pleasant and sister nations, Benin and Niger.
“We need to encourage the ECOWAS Fee to expedite the implementation of the joint defence technique to combat in opposition to terrorism and violent extremism,” she added.
The Togolese-born Speaker assured that in its final two conferences, the Bureau of Parliament mentioned these suggestions at size, and pressing actions are being taken in collaboration with different ECOWAS establishments to implement them.
On elections in West Africa, the speaker mentioned the West African area has witnessed a number of elections, such because the presidential election in Senegal and the legislative and regional elections in Togo. She mentioned Parliament took half in ECOWAS election statement missions in these two nations.
She expressed gratitude to Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Togolese Republic, for his good success in organising the elections of 29 April 2024, and for the related constitutional and institutional reforms rolled out in Togo. She additionally praised Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for the supportive position he has performed to advertise democracy because the Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Authorities as effectively congratulated Bassirou Diomaye FAYE on his good election as President of the Republic of Senegal on 2 April 2024.
Essential dignitaries who graced the event embody; President of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the Home of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and President of the ECOWAS Fee, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray.
Others included; Hon. Justice Edward Amoako-Asante, President of the ECOWAS Court docket of Justice; Hon. Yawovi Missiame Amenyo Adjourouvi, Minister for Human Rights, Citizenship Training and Relationships with the Establishments of the Togolese Republic; Distinguished Joao Alage Mamadu Fadia, Auditor Normal of ECOWAS Establishments; Ms Abira Bonfoh, President of the ASAAL Fondation; Hon. Abira Bonfoh, amongst others.