The Speaker of the 5th Legislature of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Sidie Mohamed Tunis, said Economic upheavals, security unrest, the COVID 19 pandemic, and political uncertainties could not prevent them from achieving their goals.
He disclosed this at the inaugural session of the 6th legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
The former Speaker said said, upon assuming position of leadership of the regional parliament, they were met with challenges that tested their resolve.
The Charismatic leader noted that amid those difficulties, the Parliament remained resilient, and the trials only revealed the true spirit of their commitment.
“Economic upheavals, security unrest, the COVID 19 pandemic, and political uncertainties. Yet, amid those difficulties, the Parliament remained resilient, and the trials only revealed the true spirit of our commitment.
He also said democratic transitions, in a civilized society and institution like that of the sub-region, are very pivotal moments where the aspirations of the people intersect with the mechanisms of governance.
Dr. Tunis added that the transition from 5th to 6th legislature provides fresh opportunity to renew that commitment and contribute further to a more prosperous future for the people of West Africa.
“The ECOWAS Parliament, since its formation, has contributed efficiently and effectively to the implementations of the objectives of the Community, in its unending quest to strengthen representative democracy across the region. Today’s transition, therefore, provides a fresh opportunity to renew that commitment and contribute further to a more prosperous future for the people of West Africa,” Tunis said.
“In many ways, this Parliament shaped my perspectives and, I am quite sure, those of every Honorable Member who served the Institution. The 5th Legislature witnessed a remarkable display of idealism and courage, one that fiercely defended human rights, democracy, the rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance. Our exchanges represented the hopes of our people, our strive for progress and shared opportunity for all our member states, and the attainment of the overall objectives of the community. Most times, in fact all the time, it wasn’t about Sierra Leone, or Nigeria, or Senegal, or Ghana. Our debates, opinions, and resolutions were always about West Africa and that, we pray, will continue to always be,” he added.
Saying goodbye to the 5th Legislature, Tunis said he found his service as Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament to be both instructive and educative.
“My tenure was years enriched by the wisdom obtained from the clarity of thought, animated discussions and exhaustive debates we held from time to time. With dedication, we experienced the joy of considering 83 draft Community Acts, each of which was well scrutinized in committee rooms. We successfully rendered our opinion through 94 resolutions, which speaks volume of the level of work done by the 5″ Legislature and the maturity of the ECOWAS Parliament.
“We were also very intentional about Parliamentary Diplomacy and the benefits that could be derived from. To the dying end of this Legislature, we were in the Republic of Senegal on a Parliamentary mediation, which, together with the efforts of the Authority, culminated into the overall success of the presidential election. I seize this opportunity to congratulate the President, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye and thank the people of Senegal for demonstrating faith in the democratic process and the peaceful way the election was conducted,” he concluded.
