The 2022 first ordinary session of the ECOWAS Parliament began with a call by the Speaker, Sidi Mohamed-Tunis for observation of a minute silence on behalf of the Massacred worshippers in Owo Catholic Church Ondo State, Nigeria.
Addressing the Parliament, the Speaker identified terrorism, kidnapping and banditry especially in Nigeria, Mali among other security challenges that have become a source of concern to the sub-region.
He however, questioned what ECOWAS is doing to address the challenges militating against the well being of the sub-region which called for urgent attention from all quarter.
Calling on the parliament to expedite action in the review of its protocols in order to meet the global challenge, the Speaker said, effort is in the offing to commence consultation with countries that have elections in 2023 in order to ensure a hitch-free, fair and credible elections.
The President, ECOWAS Commission, Jean Claude Kassi Brou who was represented by the Vice President, Finda Koroma called for continue engagement with military juntas in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea in order to bring the affected countries back to democracy.
The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Edward Asante represented by the Vice President, Gberi-be Ouattara, expressed dismay over the constant rejection of the judgements of the court by member states which led to stigmatisation by Western courts that are not willing to consult the community court for inputs.
Speaker, Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who was making his first appearance at the ECOWAS parliament in his over two decades of legislative journey called for unity of purpose among member states to achieve the desired result.
The 2022 first ordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament also saw the swearing-in of two new parliamentarians from Gambian, Billay Tunkara and Alhagie Darboe.
