Abuja: West African leaders have called for collective action by all member states to contain the prevailing threats to democracy and the rule of law in the sub-region. They made their positions known in Abuja during a ceremony organised by the ECOWAS Parliament to mark its 25th anniversary, stressing that the sub-region would not survive the prevailing threats.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Julius Bio, Sierra Leone’s President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, noted that ECOWAS had persistently supported past peace-building efforts, regional cooperation, security, migration, and human rights. He emphasized that Sierra Leone was a major beneficiary of the transformative impact of such past efforts by both the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament. Bio called for member states to rise up and take drastic action to ensure that the current threats to democracy in the sub-region were arrested.
Dr. Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, urged the Parliament to commit itself to the fight for the survival of democracy in the sub-region. He stated that after 25 years of existence, the parliament should look forward to a future where democracy, rule of law, and human rights are the norms in West Africa rather than tribulations.
The Speaker of the Parliament, M©mounatou Ibrahima, reflected on the past milestones and emphasized the need for introspection on contemporary challenges toward a renewed future ambition. She noted that peace fundamentally rests on just, credible, and inclusive institutions, and stressed the importance of mediation missions in member states experiencing political tensions.
Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria, reiterated that democracy, despite its challenges, remained the most reliable foundation for sustainable development and peaceful coexistence. He highlighted the parliament’s critical role in protecting democracy and inclusivity by supporting peaceful electoral processes across the sub-region. Jonathan called for coordinated regional responses to violent extremism, with the Parliament serving as a convener of dialogue and oversight.
Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, former Nigerian Vice-President, acknowledged the tumultuous times faced by the sub-region and called for a stronger, more integrated, peaceful, and collaborative approach to address these challenges. He stressed the increasingly complicated role of the Parliament as the region navigates complex security, economic, and political challenges.