Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
Former Nigeria’s President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone and Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and others have stressed the sustainability of the rule of law to ensure the survivability of democracy in the sub region as the Economic Community of West African Parliament marks 25th year in Abuja.
According to former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the critical role the Parliament plays in the protection of democracy and inclusion by supporting peaceful electoral processes across the West African States can not be overemphasised, stressing that democracy though challenged, remains the most reliable foundation for sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.
His words: ”As we celebrate the past 25 years, this anniversary also invites us to reflect on the future and look to it with clarity and courage. I would therefore like to charge this Parliament with four critical tasks as we look to the future.
“”The Parliament must continue to amplify the voices of ordinary West Africans, including farmers, traders, youth, women, and the business community.
“That way, we will constantly ensure that voices reflect their realities and aspirations “
He advocated for a co-ordinated regional responses to address security, extremism, and transnational rights, stating that the Parliament serve as a convener of dialogue and oversight to strengthen collective security in the region.
“The future of our region will not survive in your free will. Finally, you must strive to strengthen the foundations of democracy in the sub-region. In an era where democracy faces new threats, your role in promoting credible elections, good governance, and a peaceful resolution of disputes is more critical than ever.
“Our region must remain firm against unconstitutional treaties or governments. Let the Parliament be the strong voice for political stabilization and for the principles enshrined in our ECOWAS protocols,” the Ex Nigerian President, who spoke virtually maintained.
In his Goodwill Message, the President of Sierra Leone and Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, said that Sierra Leone bears witness to the transformative impact of ECOWAS and its Parliament, from supporting peace-building efforts to guiding regional cooperation, security, migration and human rights.
“ECOWAS Parliament has consistently demonstrated that collaboration is not just desirable, it is indispensable for the progress and stability of our nation .
“Your commitments to the principles of solidarity and integration have helped shape the West Africa that looks to the future of our countries. As we mark this important milestone, let us also renew our resolve to build on the achievements of the past 25 years.
“The challenges before us demand an ECOWAS Parliament to raise a voice and give managerial accommodation. Together, let us reaffirm the commitments that our people have made so far and all possible opportunities,” he said through The Chair, ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sierra Leone, Timothy Musa Kabba.
Also, speaking, former Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, while hailing the Parliament on this milestone, noted however that the daily reality is the worst apparatus.
“As our region navigates complex security, economic, and political challenges, the role of this Parliament becomes even more interesting and complicated.
“On this historic occasion, I am grateful to the leadership of members of the ECOWAS Parliament, past and present, along with all the partners who have contributed to this extraordinary charity.
“n the next 25 years, we will continue to be stronger, more integrated, more peaceful and more collaborative.”
The President of the ECOWAS commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, in his Goodwill Message during the celebration s ceremony on Thursday, urged the ECOWAS Parliament to be the agents in the fight for the survival of democracy in the region.
“We must therefore fight for democratic space, human rights and rule of law if we want our democracy to survive.I invite you, honourable members of ECOWAS Parliament, to be our agents in this fight for the survival of democracy in our region.
“As we celebrate this silver jubilee, let us look forward to a golden jubilee where democracy, rule of law and human rights are the norms in our community, rather than tribulations,” he stressed.
The ECOWAS President who recalled how the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government signed the Protocol for the Creation of the Parliament in August 1994 as a sign of their commitment to democracy, three years after their declaration of political principles in 1991.
“As we take stock of our achievements and progress, as well as our challenges and opportunities into the future. The ECOWAS Parliament was established at a time of democratization in our region. It is therefore a concrete manifestation of the need to introduce the voices of the people into the conduct of the affairs of our community,” he said.
He commended the government and the people of the Republic of Nigeria for their legendary hospitality and for the facilities that have been made available for the smooth running of this celebration.
Similarly, Touray hailed His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, for his sterling leadership and continued support for ECOWAS institutions, as well as founding fathers of the Parliament.
“The silver jubilee of ECOWAS Parliament is coming at a time when we are celebrating our golden jubilee as a community.,” he stated.
Earlier in her address, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Madam Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima commended the archects of the Parliament saying; “Twenty-five years marks the maturity of an institution such as the ECOWAS Parliament and invites us to reflect on the journey taken, to undertake a clear introspection on contemporary challenges, and to renew our ambition for the future of our common space.
“Tracing the evolution of the ECOWAS Parliament since its inception in 2000, we can only observe with legitimate pride the substantial transformation that has occurred. From a consultative chamber, we have become a true decision-making actor, endowed with expanded prerogatives, particularly in legislative initiatives, budget formulation, and oversight of the implementation of community policies and programs.
“Our mediation missions in Member States experiencing political tensions remind us with force that peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it rests fundamentally on just, credible, and inclusive institutions.”
Other speakers, including Nigerian Senator President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Ghana, Benard Ahiafor, and President, National Transition Council of Guinea, Dr. Dansa Kourouma, as well as President, Pro-Tempore of the Senate of Liberia, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, among notable speakers, all stressed the urgent necessity to the Parliament to become fully the Parliament of the peoples of West Africa, that is capable of effectively responding to their legitimate aspirations for peace, democracy, prosperity, and social justice.
Highlights of the celebrations were the recognition and presentation of awards to past Speakers of the Parliament West Africa States ECOWAS Parliament marks it’s 25 years, in Abuja, Nigeria, West Africa leaders, including Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of Sierra Leone and Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, among others have renewed calls for sustainability of the rule of law by fighting for it if the current democracy in the sub region will survive current threats.
Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who acknowledged the critical role the Parliament plays in the protection of democracy and inclusion by supporting peaceful electoral processes across the West African States, stressed that democracy though challenged, remains the most reliable foundation for sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.
” As we celebrate the past 25 years, this anniversary also invites us to reflect on the future and look to it with clarity and courage. I would therefore like to charge this Parliament with four critical tasks as we look to the future.
“”The Parliament must continue to amplify the voices of ordinary West Africans, including farmers, traders, youth, women, and the business community.
“That way, we will constantly ensure that voices reflect their realities and aspirations “
In security, extremism, and transnational rights, he advocated co-ordinated regional responses such that the Parliament serve as a convener of dialogue and oversight to strengthen collective security in the region.
“The future of our region will not survive in your free will. Finally, you must strive to strengthen the foundations of democracy in the sub-region. In an era where democracy faces new threats, your role in promoting credible elections, good governance, and a peaceful resolution of disputes is more critical than ever.
“Our region must remain firm against unconstitutional treaties or governments. Let the Parliament be the strong voice for political stabilization and for the principles enshrined in our ECOWAS protocols,” the Ex Nigerian President, who spoke virtually maintained.
In his Goodwill Message, the President of Sierra Leone and Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Julius Maada Bio, said that Sierra Leone bears witness to the transformative impact of ECOWAS and its Parliament, from supporting peace-building efforts to guiding regional cooperation, security, migration and human rights.
“ECOWAS Parliament has consistently demonstrated that collaboration is not just desirable, it is indispensable for the progress and stability of our nation .
“Your commitments to the principles of solidarity and integration have helped shape the West Africa that looks to the future of our countries. As we mark this important milestone, let us also renew our resolve to build on the achievements of the past 25 years.
“The challenges before us demand an ECOWAS Parliament to raise a voice and give managerial accommodation. Together, let us reaffirm the commitments that our people have made so far and all possible opportunities,” he said through The Chair, ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sierra Leone, Timothy Musa Kabba.
Also, speaking, former Nigerian Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, while hailing the Parliament on this milestone, noted however that the daily reality is the worst apparatus.
“As our region navigates complex security, economic, and political challenges, the role of this Parliament becomes even more interesting and complicated.
“On this historic occasion, I am grateful to the leadership of members of the ECOWAS Parliament, past and present, along with all the partners who have contributed to this extraordinary charity.
“n the next 25 years, we will continue to be stronger, more integrated, more peaceful and more collaborative.”
The President of the ECOWAS commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, in his Goodwill Message during the celebration s ceremony on Thursday, urged the ECOWAS Parliament to be the agents in the fight for the survival of democracy in the region.
“We must therefore fight for democratic space, human rights and rule of law if we want our democracy to survive.I invite you, honourable members of ECOWAS Parliament, to be our agents in this fight for the survival of democracy in our region.
“As we celebrate this silver jubilee, let us look forward to a golden jubilee where democracy, rule of law and human rights are the norms in our community, rather than tribulations,” he stressed.
The ECOWAS President who recalled how the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government signed the Protocol for the Creation of the Parliament in August 1994 as a sign of their commitment to democracy, three years after their declaration of political principles in 1991.
“As we take stock of our achievements and progress, as well as our challenges and opportunities into the future. The ECOWAS Parliament was established at a time of democratization in our region. It is therefore a concrete manifestation of the need to introduce the voices of the people into the conduct of the affairs of our community,” he said.
He commended the government and the people of the Republic of Nigeria for their legendary hospitality and for the facilities that have been made available for the smooth running of this celebration.
Similarly, Touray hailed His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, for his sterling leadership and continued support for ECOWAS institutions, as well as founding fathers of the Parliament.
“The silver jubilee of ECOWAS Parliament is coming at a time when we are celebrating our golden jubilee as a community.,” he stated.
Earlier in her address, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Madam Hadja Mémounatou Ibrahima commended the archects of the Parliament saying; “Twenty-five years marks the maturity of an institution such as the ECOWAS Parliament and invites us to reflect on the journey taken, to undertake a clear introspection on contemporary challenges, and to renew our ambition for the future of our common space.
“Tracing the evolution of the ECOWAS Parliament since its inception in 2000, we can only observe with legitimate pride the substantial transformation that has occurred. From a consultative chamber, we have become a true decision-making actor, endowed with expanded prerogatives, particularly in legislative initiatives, budget formulation, and oversight of the implementation of community policies and programs.
“Our mediation missions in Member States experiencing political tensions remind us with force that peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it rests fundamentally on just, credible, and inclusive institutions.”
Other speakers, including Nigerian Senator President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of Ghana, Benard Ahiafor, and President, National Transition Council of Guinea, Dr. Dansa Kourouma, as well as President, Pro-Tempore of the Senate of Liberia, Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, among notable speakers, all stressed the urgent necessity to the Parliament to become fully the Parliament of the peoples of West Africa, that is capable of effectively responding to their legitimate aspirations for peace, democracy, prosperity, and social justice.
Highlights of the celebrations were the recognition and presentation of awards to past Speakers of the Parliament.
END
