Faye Backs Stronger Legislative Powers for ECOWAS Parliament

Jane Salihu

President of Senegal and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, has backed efforts to strengthen the role of the ECOWAS Parliament in advancing regional integration and ensuring greater participation of West African citizens in Community affairs.

Faye made the position known on Tuesday when he paid an official visit to the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, where he was received by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, and other officials of the regional legislature.

The visit provided an opportunity for the ECOWAS leadership and Parliament to discuss the future of regional integration, democratic governance, institutional cooperation and the need for stronger engagement between Community institutions and citizens.

Welcoming the ECOWAS Chairman, Speaker Ibrahima drew attention to the limitations of the Parliament, noting that 25 years after its creation, it remains largely a consultative body without the full powers of a legislative institution.

“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.

Ibrahima said strengthening the Parliament’s legislative and oversight functions would enhance the credibility and legitimacy of ECOWAS institutions, while enabling the legislature to become more representative and responsive to the aspirations of citizens across the sub-region.

She reaffirmed the Parliament’s support for representative democracy, human rights, peace and security, as well as efforts to deepen regional integration and bring ECOWAS closer to its people.

Responding, President Faye described the ECOWAS Parliament as the “Assembly of the Peoples,” and commended its contributions to regional integration, particularly in monitoring Community policies, conflict prevention, mediation and the harmonisation of legislation.

“I would also like to highlight the important role of the ECOWAS Parliament within the sub-region as the Assembly of the Peoples,” Faye said.

The Senegalese President assured the Parliament of his support in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, particularly in implementing its programmes and plans of action.

He also accepted an invitation to address the Parliament at a subsequent plenary session, where he is expected to present his vision for the future of the West African region.

Faye further stressed the importance of strengthening regional integration through conflict prevention, mediation, public awareness and measures aimed at promoting political stability and social cohesion across West Africa.

Also speaking, Nigeria’s Deputy President of the Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, welcomed the President’s engagement with the regional legislature.

Barau said regular interaction between the ECOWAS Parliament and the Authority of Heads of State and Government would strengthen institutional cooperation and help translate the aspirations of citizens into concrete regional policies.

“We greatly appreciate the attention you have devoted to our institution and your commitment to supporting the Parliament,” he said.

He said Faye’s visit was significant to the Parliament’s efforts to strengthen its role within the Community, adding that closer relations between ECOWAS institutions and citizens remained critical to the success of the regional integration project.

The engagement also highlighted the need for adequate resources and stronger institutional support for the Parliament to effectively discharge its mandate and contribute to building an ECOWAS that is more responsive to the needs and aspirations of West African citizens.