By: Kebba AF Touray
The fourth Deputy Speaker of the 6th ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, who is also the Majority Leader of the Gambian Parliament, has led a six member delegation on a three-day parliamentary mission on diplomacy to the Republic of Togo. The delegation had also secured assurance from Togo to send its delegation and Speaker to their upcoming first Ordinary Session of the current Parliament.
In an interview with this medium, Hon Billay G. Tunkara pointed out that they had a discussion with the Speaker of the Togolese Parliament on the gap created because Togo did not present its delegation.
However, he said that they were assured that Togo was doing everything possible to send their delegation once their Parliamentary election is conducted on Monday April 29th 2024 so that there would be a Speaker, and pledged their full cooperation with the ECOWAS Parliament.
“They gave reasons that they do not want to send a delegation pending elections in their country and should anyone lose, they now have to make adjustments here and there, and that this is why they did not participate in the swearing in of the 6th legislature, but they said that they are fully in ECOWAS and are working toward regional integration,” Hon. Tunkara said.
He further indicated that they met the UFC party, the third biggest opposition party in Togo, and had discussions with them by asking for collaboration so that the elections can be conducted peacefully, before sending their delegation to assume office at the ECOWAS Parliament.
Currently, there exists a vacuum in the position of Speaker at the EOWAS Parliament, and this is due to the fact that it is the turn of Togo to assume this position.
However, with the firm conviction that after their parliamentary elections that vacuum at the regional legislature will be filled, Hon. Tunkara said that the Community parliament will be able to steer the affairs of the regional legislature.
