The First Ordinary Session for 2024 of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament opened in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, on Monday, with a call for unity and integration in the face of regional challenges.
“The withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS will have disastrous consequences for our community,” warned H.E Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission. “It will disrupt the freedom of movement and establishment, aggravate insecurity, and lead to diplomatic and political isolation.”
Dr Touray commended the peaceful transitions in Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Togo, but expressed concern over the challenges posed by the withdrawal of the three member states.
He emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation, stating: “We must work together to address the challenges facing our region.
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“The ECOWAS Parliament has a crucial role to play in promoting integration and maintaining unity.”
While noting that the ECOWAS Parliament has a vital role to play in promoting integration and maintaining unity in the region, Dr Touray emphasised, “We must work together to address the challenges facing our region and ensure a brighter future for our citizens.”
In her opening speech, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon Memounatou Ibrahima, while welcoming members to the session, expressed deep concern over the upsurge in the threat of terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime.
She said they were costing the lives of valiant defence and security forces as well as thousands of innocent people in West Africa.
She expressed gratitude to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, for the invaluable support he has always provided to the ECOWAS Parliament to facilitate the fulfilment of its mandate.
The speaker also applauded the National Assembly for availing it the use of its temporary chambers to hold the session as the ECOWAS Parliament chambers are undergoing renovation.
On his part, Nigerian Senate president Godswill Akpabio said the myriad of challenges in the West African subregion could be surmounted if the ECOWAS Parliament is galvanised by the spirit of unity, innovation, and an unwavering belief in the subregion’s shared destiny.
He stressed that this is needed to transform the region’s collective aspirations into enduring achievements.
Akpabio who declared open the 2024 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, at the National Assembly, Abuja, urged the Community Parliament to go beyond legislation and uplift the people by exemplifying the power of collaboration.
Represented by the Deputy President of the Senate and the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau I Jibrin, the President of the Senate highlighted the centuries-old history of collaboration among the diverse people of the region.
He said: “As we embark on the deliberations and discussions that lie ahead, let us remain steadfast in our optimism. The challenges we face are not insurmountable. With unity, innovation, and an unwavering belief in our shared destiny, we can transform our collective aspirations into enduring achievements.
“In this session, let our conversations be driven by the spirit of partnership and collective ambition. Let us demonstrate that when West Africa stands united, there are no limits to what we can accomplish. Our diversity is our strength, and our unity is our power.”
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