Members of the ECOWAS Parliament during the session. Photo Credit:Idara Ukpanyang/Radio Nigeria
The Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Parliament, Dr Sidie Tunis, has expressed worry over the pace at which the transitional processes are unfolding in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
Dr Tunis stated this at the Opening of the 2023 First Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.
He also said the Parliament is worried about the proliferation of terrorist activities in the Sahel, which has resulted in the killings of innocent lives.
“Additionally, we are closely following events in Sierra Leone and Liberia, as they prepare to hold Presidential and Legislative elections in June and October respectively,” Dr Tunis said.
Dr. Tunis noted that since the first legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament was inaugurated over 20 years ago, it was yet to achieve its goal of being a full fledged legislative body.
He however expressed optimism that in no distant time, when the first vote will be cast for ECOWAS member of parliament, the fifth legislature would be remembered for its valuable role it played in actualizing the dream.
Nigeria’s Senate President , Senator Ahmed Lawal who declared the session opened said the region was still faced with challenges due to new emerging realities, and called on the legislators to strengthen its action plans in view of changing dynamics.
In his speech, the Chairman, ECOWAS Commission Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, said despite inflationary pressure as a result of the covid 19 pandemic and the Ukraine war, the economies of the region were resilient and continue to post growth rates of 3.1 percent according to World bank with good prospects in general.
However, he expressed worry over the spate of insecurity in the region and called on the leaders to adopt a multi-faceted approach and galvanize resources to eradicated insurgency that has posed a serious threat to the region.
Nigeria’s Senate President , Senator Ahmed Lawal who declared the session opened said the region was still faced with challenges due to new emerging realities, and called on the legislators to strengthen its action plans in view of changing dynamics.
The plenary which ends on May 26, will consider among other issues, country report from member state and address of the President of the commission on the status of the implementation community program.
Reporting by Idara Ukpanyang; Editing by Julian Osamoto