{"id":124136,"date":"2025-12-01T20:30:52","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T19:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=124136"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:30:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T19:30:52","slug":"ecowas-parliament-opens-2025-session-with-security-democracy-as-top-priorities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/ecowas-parliament-opens-2025-session-with-security-democracy-as-top-priorities\/","title":{"rendered":"ECOWAS Parliament Opens 2025 Session With\u00a0 Security, Democracy as Top Priorities\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Lizzy Chirkpi<\/div>\n
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The 2025 Second Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament opened in Abuja on Monday with an unusually forceful charge for democratic resilience, security reform, financial accountability and deeper regional integration, as the institution marks its 25th anniversary.<\/div>\n
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Standing in for Speaker Rt. Hon. M\u00e9mounatou Ibrahima, First Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Jibrin Barau delivered a message that set a firm tone for the two-week session, insisting that West Africa must confront its political instability and governance weaknesses with renewed unity and courage.<\/div>\n
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Barau said the gathering was more than a statutory meeting; it was \u201ca collective commitment to the ideals of regional cooperation, peace and democratic governance,\u201d adding that lawmakers must rise to their responsibility to defend the interests and well-being of West Africans.<\/div>\n
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He emphasised that the session\u2019s agenda including scrutiny of the 2026 Community Budget, critical legal reforms, key committee reports and the Parliament\u2019s silver jubilee as to the decisive role the institution must now play in shaping the region\u2019s future.<\/div>\n
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Reflecting on 25 years of the ECOWAS Parliament, Barau said the anniversary was both celebratory and sobering.<\/div>\n
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\u201cFor a quarter of a century, our Parliament has stood as a symbol of the people\u2019s representation at the regional level,\u201d he said, praising the \u201cvisions and courage\u201d of the institution\u2019s founders.<\/div>\n
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But he added that the milestone must also inspire a deeper push for cohesion, unity and citizen inclusion across Member States.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAs we reflect solemnly on the history of the Parliamentary Institution, this 25th Anniversary celebration is a moment to reflect on the progress we have made, the strength of our values and the prospects for our future,\u201d he noted.<\/div>\n
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Barau urged lawmakers to deploy \u201cdiligence, courage and foresight\u201d in examining the draft Community Budget, stressing the mandate of Article 17 of the Supplementary Act which empowers Parliament to propose amendments.<\/div>\n
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\u201cWe must ensure that resources are directed towards programs that foster stability, development, and improve the well-being of our people,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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He also called for rigorous debate on key legal texts, including reforms to strengthen the ECOWAS Court of Justice and new frameworks on public debt management and accounting standards.<\/div>\n
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\u201cA careful study of these texts is crucial for deepening our integration and ensuring the stability of our sub-region,\u201d he warned.<\/div>\n
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Barau\u2019s speech struck a careful balance between commendation and condemnation as he assessed the region\u2019s political developments.<\/div>\n
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He praised C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire for a peaceful presidential election and applauded Guinea\u2019s preparation for its first post-transition polls, describing the country’s commitment to the ECOWAS roadmap as \u201ccourageous and inspiring.\u201d<\/div>\n
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However, he delivered a sharp rebuke to Guinea-Bissau following its recent coup attempt.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThis attempted subversion of the people\u2019s will\u2026 cannot be tolerated,\u201d he declared.<\/div>\n
\u201cIn line with ECOWAS\u2019 principle of zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government, I strongly condemn the unlawful seizure of power in Guinea-Bissau.\u201d<\/div>\n
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He reaffirmed Parliament\u2019s alignment with the decisions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, insisting that the people\u2019s mandate \u201cmust be respected.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Despite notable democratic gains, Barau said West Africa faces a formidable array of challenges including insecurity, economic hardship, climate impacts and fragile political transitions.<\/div>\n
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\u201cThese challenges call for collective actions,\u201d he said, stressing that ECOWAS must adopt coordinated and united responses rooted in the principles of integration.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAs the representative body of the people of West Africa, the ECOWAS Parliament must continue to assume its leadership role in formulating solutions, promoting dialogue, inclusive governance and supporting our Member States.\u201d<\/div>\n
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Barau also pointed out recent engagements with global partners from Geneva to Istanbul, Tangier, Jerusalem and the European Parliament arguing that such interactions reinforce West Africa\u2019s voice in international diplomacy.<\/div>\n
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On his closing remarks, Barau urged lawmakers to recommit themselves to the region\u2019s collective aspirations.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAs we begin this Session, let us renew our commitment to building a West Africa where democracy thrives, where peace is sustainable, and our people prosper in unity and dignity,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n
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He then declared the 2025 Second Ordinary Session officially open, marking the start of deliberations expected to influence ECOWAS\u2019 political and economic direction in the coming yea<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n