The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to dissuade Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from exiting the regional bloc.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, confirmed that parliamentary diplomatic channels are being activated to engage with the three countries, highlighting the critical need for cohesion within ECOWAS.
Kalu made these remarks during an interview on Saturday, August 17, 2024, with journalists in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on the sidelines of a meeting of the parliament’s Joint Committee on Administration, Finance, Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy, and Economic Research, which he chairs.
Kalu assured that letters had already been dispatched to the governments of the involved nations, with visits by parliamentary delegates expected to follow shortly.
He expressed optimism that these discussions would pave the way for their reintegration into the regional organization.
“There are already mechanisms in place, through what is called parliamentary diplomacy, to reach out to them.
“Letters have been sent to them, and very soon, some of us will start visiting those countries to engage the heads of government.
“We will open up the doors for them to come back to the family; We need them.
“We will tell them, for instance, that, granted, maybe they were offended by one or two things, but let us sit down again and discuss,” the deputy speaker stressed.
Kalu also mentioned that even if the three countries decide to leave, ECOWAS’s financial stability would remain secure.
He emphasized the organization’s diverse revenue sources, such as the Community Levy and support from development agencies.
“There are many other sources. So, we want to make sure that we streamline it and know where monies are coming from.
“If these are not enough, we will increase because there are so many development agencies, there are so many people who are interested in the sub-region.
“There are multiple ways of raising funds for the parliament, as well as the community,” he said.
Besides tackling the issue of potential withdrawals, the ECOWAS Parliament is advocating for changes aimed at reinforcing legislative autonomy.
Kalu, who leads the House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee in his country, noted that ECOWAS laws require revisions to align with the evolving political environment.
The suggested changes aim to strengthen the separation of powers and boost the institution’s standing on the global platform.
“Rightly put, we need to amend the Supplementary Act.
“The protocols that brought the ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS Parliament into existence need to be overhauled.
“This is because these laws are not cast in stones; Indeed, no law is cast in stone”, the two-term lawmaker (APC-Abia, Bende Constituency) added.
Besides tackling the issue of potential withdrawals, the ECOWAS Parliament is advocating for changes aimed at reinforcing legislative autonomy.
Kalu, who leads the House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee in his country, noted that ECOWAS laws require revisions to align with the evolving political environment.
The suggested changes aim to strengthen the separation of powers and boost the institution’s standing on the global platform.
Nevertheless, these efforts have been greeted with no response.
