Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, and President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has pledged his support for strengthening the ECOWAS Parliament and expanding its role in regional integration, democracy and political stability.
Faye made the commitment during an official visit to the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital, where lawmakers renewed calls for greater legislative and oversight powers for the regional assembly.
President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who is currently Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, described the Parliament as a critical hub for regional integration, particularly in promoting democracy, dialogue, political stability and citizen participation.
Faye also commended parliamentarians for their contributions to conflict prevention, mediation, monitoring of community policies, public awareness and legislative harmonisation.
Urging lawmakers to remain committed to their responsibilities and continue serving the people of the region with dedication, Faye further pledged his support for the Parliament as it works to implement its programmes and strengthen its contribution to the regional integration agenda.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, says this must change if the regional body is to become more responsive to the people it represents.
Ibrahima says giving the Parliament stronger legislative and oversight functions would improve the credibility of ECOWAS institutions and deepen democratic participation across the sub-region.
She welcomed the Abuja Declaration on the review of the Parliament’s powers, describing President Faye’s commitment as an important opportunity to strengthen the regional legislature.
For the Speaker, the ultimate objective is to transform regional integration from a project driven mainly by governments into one that is owned and shaped by citizens.
The First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Jubril Barau, also described the visit as significant, noting that stronger interaction between the ECOWAS Authority and Parliament would improve coordination, representation and citizens’ ownership of the integration agenda.
Barau said the visit should serve as renewed encouragement for lawmakers to intensify efforts to strengthen the Parliament’s role and deepen its relationship with citizens across West Africa.
He also assured President Faye of the Parliament’s support as he leads the regional bloc.
For the ECOWAS Parliament, the renewed commitment to strengthening its powers presents an opportunity to move beyond consultation towards a more effective legislative and oversight role. The expectation is that stronger institutions, greater parliamentary participation and closer engagement with citizens will help build an ECOWAS that is not only more democratic and accountable, but also more responsive to the aspirations of the people of West Africa.
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