By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Acting Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Sen. Jibrin Barau, has said that the the sixth Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States, otherwise known as ECOWAS Parliament, will not be a robber stamp legislature, as it will assert its independence, in discharging its mandates.
He noted that as the Parliament looks towards facilitating the promotion of democracy, checks and balances, as well as accountability in the ECOWAS Community, having a strong ECOWAS Parliament is indispensable.
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Senator Barau, who also doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, said, he had the esteemed honor of leading sixth Parliament for barely two months and has concluded that much needed to be done in terms of asserting the independence of the Parliament in the exercise of its important roles of parliamentary oversight and representation.
Speaking at the official opening of the Second Extraordinary Session of the year 2024 and the first for the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Kano, Nigeria.
The First Deputy Speaker, said that there is, also, a compelling need to build strong collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission and undertake joint initiatives aimed at strengthening regional security and advancing development.
Sen. Barau said that while it is true that each institution has its unique prerogatives, the fact remains that there exist cross-cutting issues that are best addressed with enhanced collaboration among the community institutions.
He recalled that in his address at the Inaugural Session, the President of the ECOWAS Commission made the clarion call for Parliament’s urgent intervention in addressing pressing issues in the Community.
The President of the Commission, he said, noted the urgency of joining ongoing efforts aimed at avoiding the disintegration of the regional bloc, which could happen with the departure of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
The President also, emphasized the need to confront non-state groups that are competing for control of our resources and pushing states to the margins.
According to the Acting speaker, “These have led to unprecedented levels of insecurity, especially in the Sahel where armed groups, violent extremists and criminal groups are operating and causing immense suffering for our citizens. We must heed to that call with all seriousness and be intentional about playing our roles for the millions of citizens being impacted by these conflicts.
“Against this backdrop, I will, in consultation with my colleagues on the Bureau, be proposing the appointment of an Ad hoc Mediation Committee whose mandate will be to work with all stakeholders in getting our brothers to rescind their decision and come home and work towards promoting dialogue with a view to resolving conflicts in the region”.
He noted that West Africa is stronger together and there is absolutely no alternative to collective aspirations of a united, peaceful and secure ECOWAS.
Again, he said: “I wish to also inform this house that a Parliamentary Fact-finding mission was dispatched to the Republic of Togo. The delegation ascertained circumstances surrounding the notable absence of the Togolese delegation, who, by virtue of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Powers of the Parliament, deserves the Speakership, and held discussions with national stakeholders on other political issues. I am pleased to report that we received very favorable response from the Togolese authorities that our brothers from Togo will be inaugurated as soon as possible”.
He concluded that ECOWAS Parliament participated in the Third Parliamentary Policy Dialogue on the Protection of Vulnerable Targets against terrorism, which was hosted by the United Nations Office on Counter Terrorism, a Capacity Building Training on Labor Migration Governance under the auspices of the African Union Commission and the International Conference on enhancing the role, relevance, and effectiveness of the ECOWAS Court of Justice through the strengthening of synergies between the Court and national stakeholders, which was hosted by sister Institution the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
