The Parliament of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) has passed the community’s consolidated budget for 2025, totalling 418,062,927 Units of Account (UA).
According to a statement issued by the Communication Division of the Parliament this allocation, finalised during the Parliament’s Bureau meeting in Abuja, covers funding for the ECOWAS Commission, Parliament, agencies, and special projects, with a focus on peace and security initiatives.
The regional legislature also adjusted its budget with a 4.21 per cent increase for the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), raising its allocation to 71,596,777 UA. In contrast, the ECOWAS Parliament’s budget has been reduced by 19.5 per cent, bringing it down to 18,696,897 UA.
Apart from financial matters, the Parliament expressed worries over the looming exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS, a move scheduled for January 29, 2025.
Following this threat of exit from the three estranged countries the regional legislature has called for an extension of the withdrawal deadline to allow for further negotiations, stressing the need to maintain regional unity and prevent the disintegration of West Africa’s economic and political framework.
During its Abuja meeting, the ECOWAS Parliament also reviewed ten Community Acts referred to by the ECOWAS Commission, addressing critical areas such as energy, transportation, and education.
The three countries announced their intention to quit the bloc following disagreements with ECOWAS over military coups that toppled democratically elected governments in the three countries. The ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and government led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, had threatened to use force to oust the military government in Mali after imposing a raft of sanctions.
Despite ECOWAS withdrawing its threats and lifting sanctions, the three countries have refused to show any indication of return to the bloc even after several attempts by the ECOWAS Commission and other ECOWAS institutions.
Additionally, the Bureau held an interactive session with the Programme for Women’s Political Participation in Africa, focusing on strategies to increase female representation in governance across the sub-region, the statement added.
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