ECOPARL Newsletter VOL.09 N01 [Eng]

EC PARLLETTER NEWS

VOL.09 N01 PUBLICATION OF THE SECOND ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS PARLIAMENT. NOV 21 -DEC 14 2019

Insecurity, terrorism impedes ECOWAS’ development - Speaker Cisse Lo The challenges posed by insecurity and terrorism were the focus of Speaker Cisse Lo’s address to the Plenary of the ECOWAS Parliament as the 2nd Ordinary Session of the parliament opened in Abuja on Wednesday, 20 November, 2019.

The recurrent terrorist attacks in Mali and Burkina Faso, where they have become more deadly, remind us of the critical need to respond appropriately to this threat”, he remarked.

In his remarks as he declared open the session, Speaker Moustapha Cisse Lo said it was unfortunate that West Africa still grappled with the challenges of insecurity, noting that the menace has hampered the development of the ECOWAS Community, while highlighting the close link between the necessary and interwoven elements of security, stability, democracy, peace and development.

He stressed that “Terrorism and insecurity have assumed unprecedented proportions in our region, constituting a major challenge that needs to be absolutely addressed, inasmuch as we all agree that without peace and security, sustainable development is unachievable”.

“Before addressing the content of this session, allow me to take some time to talk about the context in which this session is taking place, by starting immediately with the worrying security situation in our region, notably the persistence of terrorist attacks.

Speaker Cisse Lo advocated the expediency of “acting now and vigorously to eradicate this spiral of violence”, whilst also calling on Member States to be more involved by pooling forces and resources to tackle the menace, failure of which would make ineffective any fight against terrorism.

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In This Issue

Rt. Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo, Speaker of Parliament (behind), H.E Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President of the Republic of Nigeria (left) and Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase the 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament at the opening of 2nd Ordinary Session

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ECOWAS Parliament key to ending challenges of West Africa

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Parliament reiterates call for opening of Nigeria’s borders

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Insecurity, terrorism impedes ECOWAS’ development

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4th Legislature Winds Down, Parliament to Hold Final Special Session in the Gambia as Speaker hails Support from MPs Three months to the end of the 4th Legislature, in his address to the Plenary at the on-going 2nd Ordinary Session, Speaker Cisse Lo poured encomiums on Members of Parliament for the support accorded him during his four-year tenure.

While addressing the last Ordinary Session for the 4th Legislature, the Rt. Hon. Speaker said that the milestone achieved by Parliament would not have been possible without the contributions of MPs. “On this solemn occasion, I want to sincerely thank all Members of Parliament under the 4th Legislature, who chose my humble person to lead the destiny of the Parliament. I also want to seize this opportunity to wish all those who will be elected under the 5th Legislature the best of success in the achievement of the goals of ECOWAS Parliament”, he stated.

He further stated that “For Honourable Members whose mandate would expire early next year, and who will not have the opportunity to come back, I wish them a bright future as they continue their political career”.

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Speaker Cisse Lo also urged Members States to quickly elect members who would be part of the 5th Legislature to avoid creating a political vacuum.

Dwelling further on the activities of the past four years, the Speaker said: “ The past four years during which we have steered the affairs of this august and prestigious parliamentary assembly of ECOWAS, have been very fruitful, and I fully appreciate all positive actions carried out by everyone.

As you know, we will be leaving you very soon, but rest assured that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to continue the work of building a strong and effective community legislative assembly to defend the rights and interests of the citizens of the Community”.

“In this regard, Africa needs to rise up, so that, together we can continue fighting for peace, security, democracy and good governance in our subregion”, he continued.

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Forces Operating in West Africa MINUSMA FORCE - The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali established on the 25th of April 2013 by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2100 to stabilize the country after the Tuareg rebellion of 2012.

BARKHANE FORCE - Operation Barkhane is an ongoing anti-insurgent operation in Africa’s Sahel region which commenced on the 1st of August 2014. It consists of a 4,500 strong French force, which is permanently headquartered in N’Djamena the Chadian capital.

G5 SAHEL FORCE – A joint military task force created by the Heads of States of the G5 Sahel Countries (Mali, Niger, Chad, Mauritania and Burkina Faso) on the 7th of February 2017 in Bamako to tackle the deterioration of the security environment in the region and to cooperate against transnational threats.

ECOWAS STANDBY FORCE – The ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) is a standby arrangement made up of military, police and civilian components from community member states and which is consistent with chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter which provides for regional peace and security arrangements.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President of the Republic of Nigeria delivering the address of the President of the Nigerian Senate in plenary.

ECOWAS Parliament key to ending challenges of West Africa – Nigeria’s Senate President President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmed Lawan has commended Parliament for being steadfast in pursuing the resolution of the many challenges confronting the ECOWAS subregion.

Speaking at the opening of Parliament’s 2nd Ordinary Session, Senator Lawan who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, urged Parliament not to relent in performing its core functions.

The Head of the Nigerian Senate, who doubles as the Chairman of Nigeria’s bi-camera national assembly, also noted that ECOWAS Member States are faced with challenges of poverty, accountability, transparency and climate change and then reminded the Members of Parliament that they were key to curbing the challenges in the sub-region while advancing the ECOWAS agenda, reminding them that the executive relied on the guidance of parliament to perform.

Senator Lawan stated that “Our responsibility for legislation, appropriation and oversighting are integral part of governance, as envisioned by the framers of not just our Constitutions (in the Member States), but in the Continued on page 10

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On the consideration of the budget of the Community institutions and agencies, the Speaker said this is the 3rd consecutive time that Parliament would be expressing its opinion on the draft annual budget of the Community, in line with the provisions of the Supplementary Act.

Source: Yahoo.com

Parliament reiterates call for opening of Nigeria’s borders The Parliament has called on the Government of Nigeria to open its land borders with its West African neighbors, citing the provisions of the ECOWAS Protocol on free movement of persons and goods in the region which aims to facilitate trade liberalization and the removal of trade barriers among Member States as the basis for the call.

Rt. Honorable Speaker of the Parliament, Moustapha Cisse Lo’s call was part of his opening speech at the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Parliament, statutorily convened to consider the Community (the entire ECOWAS institutions and agencies) budget in Abuja on Wednesday.

Speaker Cisse Lo stated that, “in respect of border issues, I have already condemned the closure of the border between Nigeria and Benin and between Niger and Nigeria during the opening ceremony of the 2nd Extraordinary Session of Parliament at Monrovia (earlier) in September. Still on this issue, I also welcome, from this rostrum, the tripartite meeting held between Nigeria, Niger and Benin here in Abuja as well as the initial resolutions aimed at putting in place a permanent framework for dialogue to address all the aspirations of the parties”.

“I reiterate my call for the opening of the borders between our States and the observance of the Protocol on the free movement of persons and goods in the ECOWAS region, which aims to facilitate trade liberalisation and the removal of trade barriers between our States and our peoples”, he continued.

“As you already know, for both our institutions and citizens, the adoption of the draft budget of our Community is a much awaited occasion, in as much as it provides an opportunity for the ECOWAS Commission, the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and the Community Parliament to collectively engage their responsibilities on the financial resources to be used to meet, to the extent possible, the legitimate expectations of the people of our region for the coming year,” Cisse Lo said.

According to the Speaker, the ECOWAS Parliament has always felt uncomfortable with this dilemma confronting it, as a result of the interinstitutional collaboration in budgetary matters.

Explicating further, he stated that the preliminary draft budget of the Parliament for the 2020 fiscal year was prepared in accordance with the directives contained in the budget circular from the President of the ECOWAS Commission, taking into account the 4 percent increase limit, set in the circular for all institutions with respect to limit of increase acceptable in relation to the budgets sum for the 2019 fiscal year. This approach to budgetary appropriation within the Community is borne out of the realities of the rate of inflow from the Community Levy, out of which programmes are financed.

In accordance with these internal procedures, the ECOWAS Parliament adopted, during the Extraordinary Session in September 2019, its preliminary draft budget balanced in revenue and expenditure in the amount of UA 20,310,449 ($27,864,453.36), representing a 4.2 percent increase in the amount of UA 826,977 ($1,134,552.07) compared with the budget approved for 2019, which stood at UA 19,483,473 ($26,729,902.66).

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Non-implementation of rulings: ECOWAS Court appeals for Parliament’s intervention The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Amoako Asante has lamented the lack of commitment by Member States to enforcing judgments of the Court.

Delivering his goodwill message to the Plenary at the opening ceremony of the 4th Legislature’s 2nd Ordinary Session 2019 at the seat of Parliament at Abuja on Wednesday 20th November, Hon. Justice Asante bemoaned the snail-pace approach of some Member States towards the enforcement of the judgements of the Court.

According to him, only six Member States; Guinea, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo and Ghana have acted in accordance with the Supplementary Protocol which charges Member States to appoint a competent national authority that will ensure the enforcement of Judgements of the court, since it was adopted in 2005.

Brou Applauds Parliament’s 4-year achievements

T

he President of the ECOWAS Commission H. E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou has commended the 4th Legislature of Parliament for the major achievements it had recorded in the last four years.

President Brou who addressed The Plenary at the opening of the Session in Abuja, Nigeria, said that top on the list of the Legislature’s achievements is actualizing its enhanced powers.

The President who was represented by Halima Ahmed, the Commissioner for Finance, said that Parliament had also made exceptional contribution towards curbing the challenges of regional integrations, actualizing single currency, migration issues, security and rights of refugees.

He commended the 4th Legislature for the visibility it had attained through its monitoring missions with Community Institutions and Specialized Agencies and its increased involvement in the settlement of disputes across the sub-region.

In order to ensure compliance with the said Pro“Mr. Speaker and Members tocol, Hon. of Parliament, I would like to Asante aptake this opportunity to pealed to the warmly congratulate you for remaining the respect and visibility that Member States your mandate has brought to comply with on the ECOWAS Parliament, the provisions which makes this Institution of the Protocol one of the flagship institurelating to entions of our Community”, he forcement of pointed out.

Judgements of the Court. The The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Brou however, used the ocAmoako Asante Supplementary casion to admonish the ParProtocol A/SP.1/01/05 in its amendment, added a liament to reinvigorate its new Article 24, mandating Member States to enrole in the economic and social development of sure enforcement of judgements of the Court in the Community and work in synergy with the accordance with their Rules and Civil Procedure. other Community institutions to contribute conJustice Asante asserted his belief that implementing this would boost public confidence in matters relating to the Court.

cretely and effectively to the development and implementation of Community programmes.

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Source: © 2019 | International Organization for Migration

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4th Legislature Winds Down, Parliament to Hold Final Special Session in the Gambia as Speaker hails Support from MPs Continued from page 1.

Continued from page 1.

He expressed Parliament’s solidarity with countries that have fallen victims to the barbaric attacks of terrorism, which tend to plunge families into mourning every day and cause massive displacement of populations.

Veering into the political situation of the sub-region, Cisse Lo noted that Parliament “has paid particular attention to the events in Guinea-Bissau, which disrupted the political situation in the country in the run-up to the presidential election”.

The Speaker commended the Authority of Heads of State and Government for its emergency extraordinary session where it adopted urgent and stringent measures which had now paved way for the conduct of the Presidential election in Guinea Bissau.

Speaker Cisse Lo thanked the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, through the President, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, for “its outstanding commitment, its consideration and its constant and unwavering support which enable Parliament to effectively carry out its mandate”.

“My appreciation also goes to the President of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall, for his wise counsel and constant support that he has provided me at all times,” he added.

The Speaker further disclosed that Parliament will convene at an extra-ordinary session in January, in The Gambia, where he would make his final address to the Plenary, the highest decision-making body of the Parliament.

Furthermore, he disclosed plans by Parliament to send a delegation to Guinea Bissau to join the ECOWAS election monitoring team, to observe the election.

“I want to stress that we place a great deal of hope in this presidential election, which is expected to enable Guinea Bissau to find a lasting solution to the political crisis it has been facing for many years. This election is to usher the people of Guinea-Bissau into a new era of peace and prosperity and contribute a great deal 'to political stability at the regional level”, he added.

Rt. Hon. Cisse Lo, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament

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(Centre),Rt. Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, (L) representative of the President of ECOWAS Commission, Halima Ahmed, the Commissioner for Finance and (R) , Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, the 1st Deputy Speaker at the Opening ceremony of 2019 2nd Ordinary Session.

(Behind),Rt. Hon. Moustapha Cisse Lo, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, (L) Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President of the Republic of Nigeria, (Centre) , Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, (R) the 1st Deputy Speaker and Hon. Yomi Johnson, the 3rd Deputy Speaker in plenary.

The swearing-in of the three (3) newly appointed MPs from Guinea Bissau, Hon. Caramo Camara, Hon. Gabriela Alfredo Fernandes and Hon. Marciano Indi during the opening plenary of the 2019 2nd Ordinary Session.

A cross-section of MPs participating in the plenary.

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A cross-section of Honourable Commissioners and Officials of the ECOWAS Commission at the opening ceremony.

A cross-section of invited guests and members of the diplomatic community present at the opening ceremony.

A cross-section of MPs participating in the plenary.

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ECOWAS Parliament key to ending challenges of West Africa – Nigeria’s Senate President “As Parliamentarians therefore, we have to be above board in the execution of these roles, not only in the spirit of the times, but most especially to deal with common challenges as a region. This is my charge to us all as we converge for this 2nd Ordinary Session and I am confident that you are up to the task,” he concluded.

Continued from page 3 PUBLISHED BY THE COMMUNICATION DIVISION, ECOWAS PARLIAMENT. Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, PMB 576 Abuja, Nigeria

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EDITORIAL TEAM Editor in Chief: John Azumah (Secretary General) Editor: Uchenna Duru-Nwaotule (Ag. Chief Communication Officer) Contributors: Sub Editors: Adama Savadogo [Communication Officer] Justin-Fred Anaeto [Communication Assistant] Victoria Ojeme Ifeanyi Nwoko Writers: Ali I. Ikpebe David Osuji Ogaji, Musa Zainab Ifeanyi, Adewale Valentine Nwachukwu, Kelvin Chukwuka Caesar Winimi Ayamba Edwin Miller Bobby Mark Winful Photography: Facebook Studio Soyombo Olawale John Akpeji