Senator Barau Jibrin, the first Deputy Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, has called for the appointment of an ad hoc committee to facilitate the return of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to the West African bloc.
Jibrin, who doubles as Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, made the call on Tuesday at the ongoing ECOWAS parliament’s sixth legislature of the 2024 second extraordinary session in Kano.
Grassroots Parrot reports that the junta-led countries announced on January 28, 2024, that they were leaving ECOWAS. The trio said it was a “sovereign decision” to withdraw from ECOWAS.
However, the ECOWAS Deputy Speaker said the mandate of the proposed mediation committee would be to work with all stakeholders to get the three countries back to parliament.
“I will, in consultation with my colleagues, be proposing the appointment of an ad hoc mediation committee, whose mandate would be to work with other stakeholders in getting our brothers (Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso) to rescind their decision and come home and work with a view to resolving conflicts in the region,”
“There is no doubt that we are stronger together, and there is no absolute alternative to our collective aspiration of a united, peaceful, and secured ECOWAS.” He said.
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The Senator also disclosed that a parliamentary fact-finding mission was dispatched to Togo to ascertain the conspicuous absence of the country’s delegation that deserves the speakership of the parliament.
According to him, there was a positive response from the Togolese authorities; hence, the member- state from Togo might be inaugurated on Thursday.
“I am pleased to report that we received a very favorable response from the Togolese authorities that our brothers from Togo would be inaugurated as soon as possible, possibly on Thursday.” He noted.
Senator Barau Jibrin outlined the grounds for the ongoing extraordinary session, which include the rules of procedure of the sixth legislature, strategic actions, work plans for 2024, an agenda for engagement, perspectives on pressing issues, and how peace and security in the region shall be attained.
He added that much needs to be done for the parliament’s independence and oversight.
Meanwhile, the host governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in his welcome address, itemized some pressing issues that require the ECOWAS parliament attention as soon as possible.
Yusuf wants the regional parliament to address regional security, integration, environmental and natural resource challenges, employment, poverty, democratic volatility, and citizenship issues among member countries.
The governor also appealed to ECOWAS to reconsider the issues of a common currency and passports so as to enhance the region’s economic viability and global competitiveness.
While calling for concerted efforts to combat the proliferation of illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition in the region, the governor pointed out the region’s relevance to the global community.
“The West African regional gross domestic product (GDP) stood at $633 billion as of 2023; hence the region’s potential to become a significant global player.” He said.
He, however, cautioned the ECOWAS parliament against allowing global powers to turn the region into a dumping ground for finished goods.
“Africa is not a dumping ground for global markets.” He opined.
