ECOWAS INTER-PARLIAMENTARY SUMMIT - 2024

HIGHLIGHTS:

The 2022 1ST EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION

OPENING REMARKS BY RIGHT HONORABLE DR. SIDIE MOHAMED TUNIS.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The 2022 1ST EXTRA-ORDINARY SESSION

OPENING REMARKS BY RIGHT HONORABLE DR. SIDIE MOHAMED TUNIS.WHO IS THE SPEAKER OF THE ECOWAS PARLIAMENT, has given some truths about Africa and how she can get better. The question now would be; is this another political talk? What credence should be awarded to this? How can the ECOWAS enhance Africa with this resolutions? But First let us examine deeper his statement.

THE EVENT HELD AT MONROVIA, LIBERIA ON THE

8TH TO 12TH MARCH, 2022.

IN ATTENDANCE WERE

DR. GEORGE MANNEH WEAH, PRESIDENENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE ECOWAS PARLIAMENT, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE LIBERIAN LEGISLATURE, AMBASSADORS , GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHERS.

• Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia;

The speaker of ECOWAS Parliament has said the situations in the Republics of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, exacerbated by the failed coup in the Republic of Guinea Bissau, are threatening issues that requires our urgent attention.

He said Constitutional abuse and deficit in good governance principles, the lack of transparency in the electioneering processes, corruption, as well as civil unrest resulting from unplanned change in constitution, are factors to which coups d’etats have been hinged. As a result, our democratic processes appear weakened, thereby impacting negatively on the image of ECOWAS.

He also stated In addition to the above, that the policy of isolation, as a result of imposed sanctions, seriously undermines regional integration. Its impact appears to have consequences, mostly characterized by debates by ordinary citizens in some Member States, on the desirability or otherwise of their continued ECOWAS membership.

The prevailing political situation in the Republics of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso; the three Member States where democracy has been disrupted and hence the decision by the Authority of Heads of state and Government to suspend them.

Speaking on the happenings In Mali, we express the hope that the Malian Authorities will take seriously, the new position by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government and take very decisive and timely steps, aimed at having them reversed. We are aware that, as strategic as these sanctions are, their negative consequences on the civilian population cannot be avoided.

The attempted coup in Guinea Bissau, of 2nd February, 2022 was condemned and the speaker also expressed solidarity with the Government and People of Guinea Bissau. We sincerely hope that the deployment of a force will help stabilize the country and guide against the reoccurrence of such anti-democratic act.

The speaker also highlighted the rising insecurity in the Sahel region. As you well know, the situation is most precarious in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin. Deteriorating security and violence are aggravating an already difficult humanitarian situation, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Last year’s deadly attacks in the western Tahoua region of Niger, Boko Haram attacks and worsening violence being perpetrated by criminal gangs in northwestern Nigeria, have together claimed the lives of at least 2000 innocent civilians in the region.

Interestingly the speaker received a document referenced “Genocide Alert in Ambazonia, Southern Cameroon” from a group under the banner “United Support for Peace”, which made him deeply concerned about conflicts and human right situation in Cameroon’s minority Anglophone region. He said Violence has displaced tens of thousands of people in the past year, adding to the hundreds of thousands who have fled their homes since the start of the violence in 2016. An African Proverb says “It is only a foolish person who sleeps when his neighbor’s roof is on fire”. We hope that the rights of all would be respected and that the situation would be resolved amicably.

While the shame and evil was condemned in the region, the efforts of those that are moving regional democracy in the right direction was commended. The good people of the Gambia was commended for the peaceful manner in which their December polls were conducted. Gambia’s election was preceded by similar elections in Cape Verde, with both countries demonstrating in very clear terms, that democracy can win, and democracy has won.

We this. we believe that Africa will be great!