The ECOWAS Parliament has called for expanded legislative and oversight powers to enable it to play a more effective role in regional integration and better represent the interests of West African citizens.
Speaker of the Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, made the call on Tuesday when the Parliament received Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, during an official visit.
Ibrahima said the Parliament’s limited powers remained a major institutional challenge, 25 years after its establishment.
“However, 25 years after its creation, the ECOWAS Parliament remains essentially a consultative body and, up to this point, does not have all the prerogatives of a fully-fledged legislative body,” she said.
She argued that strengthening the Parliament’s legislative and oversight functions would improve the credibility and legitimacy of ECOWAS institutions.
According to her, a stronger and more representative Parliament would be better equipped to contribute to the Community’s objectives and respond effectively to the needs of citizens.
Ibrahima also acknowledged President Faye’s priorities for the region, particularly collective security, dialogue, regional cohesion, economic sovereignty and political stability.
Nigeria’s Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sen. Barau Jibrin, said President Faye’s visit would help deepen engagement between the regional legislature and the bloc’s Heads of State and Government.
Jibrin also called for sustained efforts to strengthen the Parliament and build closer ties between ECOWAS institutions and citizens.
Responding, Faye commended the Parliament for its contributions to regional integration, particularly its role in monitoring Community policies, preventing conflicts, supporting mediation and harmonising legislation.
The Senegalese president described the ECOWAS Parliament as the “Assembly of the Peoples”, saying it remained important to promoting democracy, regional dialogue, political stability, peace and social cohesion.
Faye pledged his support, as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for the implementation of the Parliament’s plans of action.
He also accepted an invitation to address the Parliament at a future plenary session, where he is expected to outline his vision for the West African region.
