ECOWAS leaders stress the importance of regional unity after the departures of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The need for dialogue and cooperation was emphasized during the seminar celebrating ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary. Leaders called for renewed commitments to integration and responded to the internal issues driving these countries’ exit while advocating for adaptive reform to sustain ECOWAS goals.
ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahim emphasized the need for enhanced regional unity among member states and ongoing bilateral relations with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024. Speaking at the ‘1st Parliamentary Seminar on ECOWAS @50 & Parliament @25’ in Lagos, she highlighted the importance of understanding the causes behind these countries’ exit amid significant internal challenges, including security and governance issues.
Ibrahim noted the significance of this year as ECOWAS marks its 50th anniversary, having been founded in Lagos in 1975, while the Community Parliament celebrates its 25th anniversary. She raised concerns about how the pullout could impede community integration and stressed the need for a thoughtful response rather than a rejection of shared West African values.
The Speaker called for utilizing this transitional period until July 2025 to improve dialogue and understanding, fostering cooperation. She urged member states to strengthen ECOWAS, asserting it must adapt through substantial reforms after half a century to better address contemporary challenges.
Senator Jibrin Barau commended President Bola Tinubu for his leadership in promoting regional stability and integration. His statements underscored Tinubu as a source of inspiration and a facilitator of cooperative efforts toward a unified West Africa, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across member states.
During the seminar, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged ECOWAS members to recommit to regional integration, lifting trade barriers, and ensuring inclusive opportunities for all citizens. He expressed pride in Lagos’s longstanding role as an economic hub that embodies the spirit of regional unity and is committed to addressing collective challenges.
Sanwo-Olu also acknowledged the achievements of ECOWAS over its 50 years, from economic cooperation to conflict mediation. He highlighted the Parliament’s critical role in promoting integration and citizen rights throughout its history and reaffirmed its importance as a platform for advancing regional policies.
In summary, both leaders called for renewed efforts towards unity and collaboration among ECOWAS states amidst existing challenges. The discussions emphasized the need for adaptability and the potential for positive reform within the organization as it moves forward while navigating complexities in the region.
The ECOWAS Parliament’s seminar underscores the critical need for regional solidarity following the exit of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Speakers have called for an ongoing commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and reform to propel West Africa towards shared goals of prosperity and integration. Harnessing collective efforts among member states remains essential for addressing security, governance, and economic challenges visibly affecting the region.
Original Source: www.arise.tv
