By: Kebba AF Touray, Reporting from ECOWAS Parliament, Abuja
The outgoing Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, has called on the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament to take robust actions on pressing issues affecting the sub-region.
He made this call while delivering a solidarity statement at the inaugural session of the ECOWAS Parliament which is currently underway in Abuja on Thursday, 4 April, 2024.
He told the successor parliament of the Sixth Legislature to continue from where he has stopped, adding that the work of a Parliament can never be exhausted, as the sub region is faced with pressing issues.
These issues, he outlined, range from high cost of living, threat to democratic governance, security challenges, consolidating peace and strengthening regional solidarity, as well as the multitude of challenges that are impacting the well-being of our youthful population.
“Hence, you are expected to continue from where we stopped. Even though our region is experiencing some moments of progress, resilience, and hope, there equally remain several pressing issues that are shaping the socio-political landscape of the sub region which require your prompt and robust actions,” he hinted to the incoming ECOWAS Parliament.
As he bid farewell to the incredible institution, he recalled the provision of the Supplementary Act relating to the enhancement of the powers of the ECOWAS Parliament which provides that the life span of each Legislature shall be four years from the date of inauguration by the Chairperson of the Authority.
He said: “Having exhausted that period on 9th March, 2024, it’s time to say goodbye and officially turn over the baton of the sacred responsibility we had the privilege of carrying for four years.”
He said that democratic transitions, in a civilized society and institution of the sub region, are very pivotal moments, where the aspirations of the people intersect with the mechanisms of governance.
He reported that the ECOWAS Parliament, since its formation, has contributed efficiently and effectively to the implementations of the objectives of the Community, in its unending quest to strengthen representative democracy across the region.
He said that today’s transition, therefore, provides for a fresh opportunity to renew that commitment and contribute further to a more prosperous future for the people of West Africa.
“Upon assuming this honorable role, we were met with challenges that tested our resolve, including economic upheavals, security unrest, and COVID-19 pandemic and political uncertainties. Yet, amid those difficulties, the Parliament remained resilient, and the trials only revealed the true spirit of our commitment,” he said.
According to him, the parliament in many ways shaped his perspectives and that of his fellow lawmakers who served the Institution.
The 5th Legislature, he went on, has witnessed a remarkable display of idealism and courage, one that fiercely defended human rights, democracy, the rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance.
He told the parliament that their exchanges represented the hopes of their people, strives for progress and shared opportunity for the attainment of the overall objectives of the community.
“Most times, in fact all the time, it wasn’t about Sierra Leone, or Nigeria, or Senegal, or Ghana. Our debates, opinions, and resolutions were always about West Africa and that, we pray, will continue to always be,” he said.
He reported that during the Fifth legislature, they successfully rendered their opinion through 94 resolutions, which speaks volume of the level of work done by the 5th Legislature and the maturity of the ECOWAS Parliament.
He added: “We were also very intentional about Parliamentary Diplomacy and the benefits that could be derived from it. To the dying end of this Legislature, we were in the Republic of Senegal on a Parliamentary mediation, which, together with the efforts of the Authority, culminated into the overall success of the presidential election.”
He seized the opportunity to congratulate His Excellency, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and thanked the people of Senegal for demonstrating faith in the democratic process and the peaceful way the election was conducted.
While it is customary for each legislature to set its own agenda, he passionately appealed that the campaign for the election of members into the ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage remains at the top of their agenda.
“The 5th Legislature raised a lot of awareness about the matter, and I can only hope that the 6th Legislature will strengthen the fight for direct election, as it is a requirement for representative governance,” he averred.
He concluded by noting that even though 6 years of his life in the ECOWAS Parliament comes to an end today (Thursday 4th April), he assured that he shall continue to have a tenacious link with this institution.
He told his successor and the Honorable Members of the 6th Legislature that “the work of a Parliament can never be exhausted.”
