The ECOWAS Parliament established a committee in Lagos to address political crises in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia due to growing instability in the region. With leaders stressing the necessity of proactive leadership and reforms, they highlighted the urgency of addressing unrest, particularly the situation in Guinea-Bissau, while promoting parliamentary diplomacy for solutions.
The ECOWAS Parliament has initiated measures to prevent a political crisis in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia during its 2025 First Extraordinary Meeting held in Lagos. This decision follows expressions of concern from parliament members about increasing regional instability. Notably, Nigerian Senator Ali Ndume, Gambian Fourth Deputy Speaker Billay Tunkara, and Sierra Leonean MP Saa Emerson Lamina highlighted the necessity for proactive measures to uphold democracy in Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, where tensions are escalating.
Senator Ndume emphasized the critical role of proper leadership in thwarting unconstitutional takeovers, proclaiming, “There’s no better option than democracy. The problem is in leadership. Military takeovers happen when people lose faith in their government.” He acknowledged the pressing task of ECOWAS, led by Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, to mitigate further instability in the region.
Discussions focused heavily on political unrest in Guinea-Bissau, particularly stemming from the sitting president’s refusal to step down and conduct elections, raising fears of a coup attempt. Hon. Tunkara underscored the need for parliamentary diplomacy, stating, “It is high time Parliaments globally advocated for diplomatic solutions. We cannot sit and watch this crisis unfold.”
A newly established ad hoc committee, comprised of representatives from all ECOWAS member states, aims to provide immediate intervention to resolve the crises. Hon. Lamina echoed concerns about proactive engagement, insisting, “We should not be retroactive but proactive. It’s painful to see countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso out of ECOWAS due to political instability.” He lamented that this situation was against the aspirations of the region’s founding fathers.
Furthermore, ECOWAS lawmakers emphasized the importance of electoral reforms, reiterating the need for transparency and commitment to good governance principles agreed upon by member states. This aligns with the overall goal of fostering stability and democracy in the region.
The ECOWAS Parliament’s commitment to addressing political instability in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia through proactive measures demonstrates the organization’s role in promoting democracy and governance. By forming an ad hoc committee and emphasizing diplomatic solutions, ECOWAS seeks to counteract the deterioration of stability in West Africa. The discussions and calls for electoral reforms signify a collective effort to safeguard democratic principles across the region.
Original Source: dailytrust.com
