Reactions From MPs As ECOWAS Parliament Marks Silver Jubilee

The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) is set to roll the drums to celebrate its 25tth anniversary in the coming days as activities have been scheduled for events starting from December 2, and culminating into a grand ceremony on December 4th, 2025 in Abuja.

The Protocol Relating to the Community Parliament (A/P.2/8/94) is the primary legal instrument that established the framework for the ECOWAS Parliament. This protocol was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993.  The parliament came into existence officially on November 16, 2000 in Bamako, Mali.

Although its powers are largely consultative and advisory at present, the ECOWAS Parliament plays a vital role in promoting and defending human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and good governance in the West African region.

Following the enactment of the Supplementary Act for Enhancement of powers, it has therefore become incumbent on the Parliament to enhance its activities through the Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance which outlines shared constitutional principles such as the separation of powers, free and fair elections, zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, and civilian control over security forces.

As the regional Parliament celebrates 25 years of existence, Members of Parliament have added their voices to the pressing issues that will shape the future circumstances of the regional bloc such as direct election into the regional legislature, community levy, security and regional integration among others.

Since 2000, the Parliament has evolved and has made significant contributions to the stability of the region amid the challenges of poverty, insecurity, and economic development that have dogged the region. In the coming years however, it will require more than enthusiasm and mere exhortations for the West African Assembly to really transform the region in the face of mounting crises.

The current Sixth Legislature led by the first female Speaker, Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima from Togo, appears poised to deploy legislative action to assist the sustained efforts to address regional crises as the Parliamentarians push the perspectives on different sectors that will enhance development.

We Must Sustain Push For Direct Election- Tunkara

Fourth Deputy Speaker, Billay Tunkara , from The Gambia has called for intensified push for direct election into the regional legislature. He told the Gambia’s OTV in an interview that time has come for this drastic change.

He said “We must continue pushing and advocate for a direct election because if you are elected directly, you can have some degree of autonomy. We are trying to mirror ourselves to the European Parliament to make sure it becomes that legislative body so that any law we pass can be domesticated into a national law so that we can smoothen the whole idea of integration.

We Must Make Parliament Truly Legislative- Snowe

Veteran lawmaker from Liberia, Edwin Snowe, during an interaction with OTV said that “The vision is to make our parliament like the European Parliament which is truly a legislative body whose decision is binding on the European Union. We don’t have that in the ECOWAS Parliament yet. But this is a political decision and we must muster the political will on that and make sure that the citizens own ECOWAS.”

Snowe said that although a lot needs to be done, the trajectory of the Parliament has been encouraging as it has migrated from a mere advisory body to assume multiple functions following the enactment of the Supplementary Act for Enhancement of powers.

The veteran lawmaker spoke to OTV. He said “From the genesis, the Parliament was just an advisory body.  We discussed issues but there were no actions to be taken at the state. But interestingly on 16 December 2016, the Heads of State and Government signed the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the ECOWAS Parliament that has given the Parliament an additional role of observation mission.

“But more importantly there is parliamentary diplomacy, with which the Parliament can now go into member states and intervene in parliamentary matters and even sometimes on national issues.”

He said further that the Parliament also provides oversight on ECOWAS institutions, such as referrals on treaties and other instruments, and it renders opinion on the budget of the Parliament.

Payment Of  Community Levy Necessary, More Women Needed In politics – Sesay

Veronica Sesay, member of Parliament from Sierra Leone and the President of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) told OTV that for the parliament to endure in the coming years, Member states must be up to date in the payment of the community levy as well as give more opportunities for women in politics and important decision making organs.

She said “member states must try to pay their levies promptly so that activities will be done and I will also continue to advocate at the angle of women because we are yearning for 30 per cent in all spheres so that they can add to the budget.

“We must allow more women to be in the parliament so that they can do things because right now there are other countries that are still lagging behind to send women to the parliament. So, we want to start the advocacy so that they can see the importance of women in politics.”

Parliament  Should Strengthen Its Functions – Califa Seide

Califa Seide from Guinea Bissau said in an interview that the way forward is for the Parliament to rise to the occasion in the coming days and strengthen its role and responsibilities to the people, especially when there is a problem relating to legislative issues in member countries.

“When there are problems in national parliaments and the ECOWAS Parliament does not act, it means that it is not fulfilling its role of representing the populations of the community.

“For the next 25 years, this has to change. The Parliament has to stop depending solely on the Commission’s guidelines and assume its role.

“The strengthening of prerogatives foresees direct elections for deputies to the ECOWAS Parliament. A parliamentarian should be directly elected by their people.”