ECOWAS Must Act With Courage to Defend Democracy — Senator Barau Declares as Second Ordinary Session Opens

Janet Salihu

The First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, has called for renewed courage, unity and decisive action to safeguard democracy in West Africa, warning that recent political instability, particularly the coup in Guinea-Bissau, poses a serious threat to regional peace.

Declaring open the 2025 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, onbehalf of the Speaker, Hon. Memounatu Ibrahims, Senator Barau noted that while the region has witnessed democratic gains, these achievements remain fragile and demand collective vigilance.

He described the military takeover in Guinea-Bissau as a grave setback and a direct affront to democratic norms, stressing that ECOWAS will not waver in its zero-tolerance stance against unconstitutional change of government.
He said the coup amounted to “an unacceptable assault on democracy and a direct threat to regional stability.”

Barau affirmed that the Parliament stands firmly behind the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and fully supports efforts to restore democratic order in the country.
“We stand resolutely with the people of Guinea-Bissau. Their voices, expressed clearly at the ballot box, must be respected,” he emphasised.

Beyond the crisis in Guinea-Bissau, the first Deputy Speaker pointed to wider threats confronting the region, from insecurity and economic strain to climate shocks and stalled transitions. These, he said, underscore the urgent need for coordinated regional leadership.
According to him, ECOWAS must remain the anchor for dialogue, inclusive governance and peacebuilding across member states.

Barau also highlighted the Parliament’s recent diplomatic engagements across Geneva, Istanbul, Tangier, Jerusalem and with the European Parliament, saying the forums strengthened collaboration and reinforced ECOWAS’ standing as “a respected voice on the international scene.”

He urged member states and partners to recommit to the shared vision of a stable, democratic and prosperous West Africa, reminding delegates that progress depends on the conviction with which leaders uphold the will of the people.

As he declared the Session open, Barau called on the region to embrace collective resolve:
“The future of our region depends not only on the decisions we make, but on the courage with which we act.”