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ECOPARL NEWS LETTER
EC PARL NEWS LETTER
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VOL.09 N01 PUBLICATION OF THE SECOND ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ECOWAS PARLIAMENT. NOV 21 -DEC 14 2019
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. Insecurity, terrorism impedes ECOWAS’ development - Speaker Cisse Lo
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.
“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.
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”.
Continued on page 7 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.
In This Issue
ECOWAS Parliament key to ending challenges of West Africa
Parliament reiterates call for opening of Nigeria’s borders
Insecurity, terrorism impedes ECOWAS’ development
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
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. Parliament reiterates call for opening of Nigeria’s borders
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 ceremonyofthe 2nd ExtraordinarySession ofParliament 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 oftrade 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).
www.parl.ecowas.int 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. “Mr. Speaker and Members of Parliament, I would like to take this opportunity to warmly congratulate you for the respect and visibility that your mandate has brought on the ECOWAS Parliament, which makes this Institution one of the flagship institutions of our Community”, he pointed out. Brou however, used the occasion to admonish the Parliament to reinvigorate its role in the economic and social development of the Community and work in synergy with the other Community institutions to contribute concretely and effectively to the development and implementation of Community programmes. Brou Applauds Parliament’s 4-year achievements 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. In order to ensure compliance with the said Protocol, Hon. Asante appealed to the remaining Member States to comply with the provisions of the Protocol relating to enforcement of Judgements of the Court. The Supplementary Protocol A/SP.1/01/05 in its amendment, added a new Article 24, mandating Member States to ensure enforcement of judgements of the Court in accordance with their Rules and Civil Procedure. Justice Asante asserted his belief that implementing this would boost public confidence in matters relating to the Court. The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Amoako Asante
“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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