Category: ECOWAS

The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has identified inequality as one of the major factors causing rise in crisis, including military coups and insecurity in the West African subregion.

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr. Sidie Tunis, made this known at the opening of the delocalized meeting of the Joint Committee of the ECOWAS Parliament Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights and the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment holding in Monrovia, Liberia.

He said that supporting the participation of people from vulnerable and marginalized groups in the decision-making and democratic processes of the societies is key to continued peace, security and sustainable development.

Tunis acknowledged that every meeting of the Parliament is an opportunity to analyze and make proposals to better understand and control political, economic, and social developments in West Africa.

While noting that the meeting will focus on one of the priorities of ECOWAS Vision 2050, which is to promote good governance and consolidate irreversible peace, security, as well as development in the region, Dr. Tunis said: “As we all know, inequality has been one of the bases or causes of subversive acts in our region.

“The marginalization of vulnerable groups from important decision-making processes, particularly ethnic or religious minorities, women and young people, provides fertile ground for conflict of violent extremism.”

He said: “We must convince ourselves that supporting the participation of people from vulnerable and marginalized groups in the decision-making and democratic processes of our societies is imperative for peace, security and sustainable development.”

The Speaker added that: “Political inclusivity has the advantage of enabling all points of view to be expressed and taken into consideration, and of enhancing the representation of every segment of the population, including women and young people.”

He revealed that the delocalized meeting, which is being held on the theme: “Enhancing political inclusivity in the participatory governance process: a mechanism for promoting peace and security “, was part of activities designed by the ECOWAS Parliament to continually demonstrate its openness to the citizens of the region, stressing that it also provides an opportunity to share experiences and collaborate with national institutions in the pursuit of the integration objectives of ECOWAS.

Liberia’s Vice President, Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor lamented that political inclusivity is still far from being achieved, insisting that going by a few statistics as indicated by a January 2023 UN Women Facts and Figures report, women on the continent particularly and globally in general are still yet to be accorded the acceptable number in distribution of political offices.

She noted that inclusive political processes are crucial to sustaining peace and conflict prevention; establishing and strengthening political processes aimed at improving the participation and political influence of citizens; making governments and institutions more accountable and transparent, and building a stronger and more inclusive social contract between government and the people for greater access to opportunities, amongst other issues.

Taylor said though much has been done over the past 30 years to bring to the front burner the issue of equal participation of both genders, but the fact remains that even at the ECOWAS Parliament where the mandatory acceptable standard is a minimum 30% representation from each member state ; current statistics indicated that out of 115 members only 21 members are females, a mere 18.26%.

She argued that: “A woman is human. She is not better, wiser, stronger, more intelligent, more creative or more responsible than a man. Likewise, she is also not less…” She asked the parliamentarians that “as you navigate the discussions on the way forward towards greater peace and security in our sub-region, I crave your indulgence to proffer policy prescriptions which compel our National Governments to take affirmative actions for the inclusion of women at all levels in the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of governments.”

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray also noted that the disconnect between the government and its citizens is a contributing factor to the volatility and threats to democracy in the sub-region.

Touray who was represented by Mrs Josephine Nkurumah, Permanent Representative of the ECOWAS Commission to Liberia urged Members of the ECOWAS Parliament to consider the role of civic engagements as a key strategy to building a more inclusive society.

He said that the ECOWAS Parliament’s delocalized meeting was apt and the Commission awaits recommendations from the meeting that it can work with the Parliament to ensure inclusivity of all ECOWAS citizens in the democratic process of the sub region.

“The seeming disconnects between the governed and those who govern have contributed in part to the volatility of the sub-region leading to discontent in our communities.

“It is pertinent that in other to have effective inclusiveness and participatory government processes, our citizens must be engaged, involved and discerning.

“We look forward to a collaborative effort to building a more inclusive society in our governance processes for peace and security which are prerequisite to our economic and social integration as a sub region,” Touray said.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) have deployed a Joint Pre-election Fact-finding Mission to Liberia to assess the country’s state of preparedness for the polls.

The move comes 3 months ahead of Liberia’s Presidential and Legislative elections scheduled for October 10, 2023.

The July 23-29 Mission is being co-led by Professor Attahiru Jega, former Chairman of the Independent Nigerian Electoral Commission (INEC) of Nigeria for ECOWAS, and Ambassador Calixte Mbari, Head of Democracy, Elections and Constitutionalism of the African Union Commission.

Other members of the Mission are Ambassador Haja Alari Cole, member of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, Ms. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Mr. Elyse Ouedraogo, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission of Burkina Faso, M. Muhammad Sulaiman Isa, Deputy Ambassador of Nigeria to ECOWAS, Dr Cyriaque Agnekethom, ECOWAS Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, as well as a joint technical team from the ECOWAS and AU Commissions.

The joint delegation will hold working sessions with various stakeholders in the electoral process in Liberia, including the Government, National Elections Commission, the Judiciary, Parliament, PoliticalParties, Civil Society Organizations, Security Agencies and International Development Partners.

At the conclusion of its engagements, the Mission will submit a comprehensive report that will inform the support of ECOWAS and AU to the 2023 electoral process in Liberia. Both organizations also provided similar support to the country during its last elections in 2017.

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and two regional legislative arms of government have announced that they will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for capacity building of their staffers on legislative issues.

NILDS with the Parliament of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) made this known when the Speakers of EALA, Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana and his ECOWAS counterpart, Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman in Abuja on Thursday.

Tunis, who emphasised the imperative of the collaboration, stated that the training will boost the capacity of the ECOWAS member states and the entire Africa. He noted that the “African Union (AU) with its Head Office in Addis Ababa cannot determine what happens in Nigeria,” which he added makes it even more important for this collaborative efforts by the two regional bodies in order to serve their people better.

Hon. Ntakirutimana in his remarks expressed delight that NILDS, which he likened to the American Democratic Institute (NDI) in terms of ideas and intellectual resources, is based in Nigeria, even as he stressed the need for “NILDS to be autonomous from the Western influence.

He welcomed the idea of capacity building as well as canvassed adequate funding for the institute by Nigerian government to enable it serve Nigeria and Africa effectively without external influence.

The EALA leader also solicited support for Dr. Tulia Ackson, the female Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, who is vying for the Speakership of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU).

The Director General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar O. Sulaiman, said the institute revolves around Africa in all ramifications. He disclosed that the first support received by the Institute as a program under National Assembly was by Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), after which Nigerian Government took over the funding.

The former Nigeria’s Minister of National Planning expressed the willingness and commitment of his Institute to sign the pact with the two Parliaments on capacity building of their staff on legislative issues as espoused.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The decision was reached during the organisation’s 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community in Bissau, capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.

The development comes 41 days after the swearing-in ceremony of the President.

Speaking at the meeting, Tinubu emphasized the need to protect democratic culture in the sub-region, saying: “We will take democracy seriously. Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government.”

As Chairman, Tinubu will play a crucial role in leading ECOWAS member states towards economic development, political stability and cooperation. He will also collaborate closely with member states, regional institutions and international partners to implement initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, regional trade integration and social development.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari had occupied the position from 2018 to 2019. Though the office does not confer executive powers, the chairman plays a strategic role in conflict resolution, advocacy, and liaises with the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the executive responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of ECOWAS policies and decisions.

Additionally, he is expected to focus on strengthening ECOWAS’ collective response to security threats and foster closer cooperation among member states in addressing regional challenges.

In a statement, Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications & Strategy, quoted Tinubu as saying: “On peace and security, the threat has reached an alarming level and needs urgent actions in addressing the challenges.

“Indeed, without a peaceful environment, progress and development in the region will continue to remain elusive. In this regard, we must remain committed to the utilisation of all regional frameworks at our disposal to address the menace of insecurity.”

President Tinubu said ECOWAS had developed a security architecture, which he noted, “covers a wide range of areas that involved kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including preventive diplomacy.

There is also the Regional Plan of Action on Fight against Terrorism 2020-2024 as well as the operationalization of the ECOWAS Standby Force on Fight against Terrorism.

“I will ensure that we immediately harmonize these plans and mobilize resources as well as political will towards the actualisation of the initiatives. As terrorists do not respect boundaries, we must work collectively to have an effective regional counterterrorism measure,” the President stated.

On his emergence as chairman during his first participation at the summit, having just started out as the elected leader of Nigeria, Tinubu said: “Indeed, I’m humbled and honored by this trust, and want to assure you of my unalloyed commitment to provide necessary leadership with dedication to serve the interest of the community.”

The President said: “We must stand firm on democracy. There is no governance, freedom and rule of law without democracy. We will not accept coup after coup in West Africa again. Democracy is very difficult to manage but it is the best form of government.

“There is no one here among us who did not campaign to be a leader. We didn’t give our soldiers resources; we didn’t invest in them, in their boots, in their training to violate the freedom of the people. To turn their guns against civil authorities is a violation of the principles upon which they were hired, which is to defend the sovereignty of their nations. We must not sit in ECOWAS as toothless bulldogs.”

Also, member countries and leaders of ECOWAS congratulated Tinubu on his election as President of Nigeria.

They gave their congratulatory messages during the opening ceremony of the event.

In his remark, the President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, commended Nigeria for sustenance of peace and strengthening of democracy in the West African region.

According to him, the military seizure of power in Mali, the Republic of Guinea, and Burkina Faso and subsequent elongation of the transition period represent a regression of the values of democratic rule of law adopted by member states through supplementary protocol on democracy and good governance.

He maintained that the return of democracy in the three countries was imperative for political stability, promotion of democratic rule of law, and the well-being of people of the West African sub-region.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, on behalf of the community and institutions, also congratulated Tinubu on his election and assumption of office as President of Nigeria.

The 63rd session, which is still ongoing, has been ranked as the most attended by heads of state of member countries.

Election Observation Mission (EOM) Heads to Sierra Leone’s June 24, 2023 General Elections have called on political stakeholders to work collectively for national cohesion, peace, and reconciliation to prevent the country from relapsing into conflict.

President Julius Maada Bio was sworn in on Tuesday shortly after the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) announced his victory.

However, the opposition candidate, Dr Dr Samura Kamara, of the APC has rejected the results, saying, “they are not credible.”

Concluding their post-election consultations in Freetown on Wednesday, the Heads of ECOWAS, African Union and Commonwealth Missions as well as the West Africa Elders’ Forum (WAEF), met separately with re-elected President Bio, of the ruling SLPP, his defeated opponent in the presidential election, Dr Samura Kamara, of the APC, and representatives of the National Election Peace Pledge Committee, reiterating their message to all Sierra Leoneans to work together in the national interest.

At the meeting with the Committee’s leadership led by Co-Chair Marcella Samba-Sesay, the Heads of the Observation Missions, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas (ECOWAS), H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia (AU), Madam Elizabeth Lwanga (Commonwealth), and former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of Nigeria (WAEF), took turns to commend the Committee for its mediation efforts, including the signing of the Peace Pledge by the leaderships of major political parties that took part in the just-ended general elections.

The Heads of International Election Observation Missions urged the Election Peace Pledge Committee to engage with political parties and other stakeholders to resolve any residual issues arising from the general elections and advocate for clarifications and review of some provisions of the constitution and the electoral laws to enhance the transparency of the electoral process.

The committee, comprising civil society organizations, including religious, women and youth groups, government representatives, and persons living with disabilities, was urged to continue its peace initiatives beyond the election period.

The Heads of AU and ECOWAS Missions noted that the organizations they represented had regional and continental responsibilities to accompany Sierra Leone on the path of good governance and democratic consolidation.

Further to their primary role as election observers, the international Observation Missions undertook quiet diplomacy that contributed to dousing political tensions and steering stakeholders on the same page.

Sierra Leone on Monday counted the presidential election votes following violence and the death of an opposition party volunteer.

However, international observers voiced concern about the lack of transparency in tallying ballots.

Provisional results are expected within 48 hours of Saturday’s vote, in which incumbent President Julius Maada Bio ran for a second term against a backdrop of public frustration over growing economic hardship in the West African nation.

Samuel Kamara, the head of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, is seen as Mr Bio’s main rival.

Police fired tear gas at supporters who gathered at APC headquarters in the capital Freetown on Sunday after the crowd turned rowdy, police said in a statement.

A Reuter’s reporter inside the building said he found a woman without a pulse lying in a pool of blood under a window with a fist-sized hole in it.

The police did not comment on what happened to the woman, but an APC spokesperson said on Monday that she was a party volunteer and that she had died.

Meanwhile, the European Union’s election observation mission said it was concerned about the “highly polarised political environment” and called for transparent vote counting to build trust in the election process.

The Carter Centre, a U.S.-based election monitoring group, flagged reports “indicating a lack of transparency during parts of the tabulation process.”

Sierra Leone’s electoral commission said it would respond later.

Many Sierra Leoneans fear that more unrest could occur as results are announced, particularly if none of the 13 candidates secures 55 per cent of the votes cast, a situation that would trigger a runoff between the top two.

Schools, offices and most shops were closed in Freetown on Monday as Security forces cordoned off the APC offices and surrounding areas.

Sierra Leone has been on tenterhooks since unusually violent protests broke out last year over rising prices.

Bio and Kamara reported small-scale attacks on their supporters before the election.

Both sides have called for calm. But Mr Kamara questioned the independence of election officials before the poll, expressing concerns about the possibility of vote-rigging.

“Rest assured that I and the APC party would not and shall not accept any skewed, manipulated and unverified results,” he said in a statement on Sunday.

(Reuters/NAN)