NO. 004/2019
08TH May, 2019
ECOWAS Parliament Promises Enhanced Security in the Region Speaker Moustapha Cisse Lo has said the ECOWAS Parliament will work towards enhanced security in the region even as he disclosed that the institution has made giant strides in curtailing insecurity and strengthening political stability in the ECOWAS region. Cisse Lo disclosed this in his welcome address at the opening session of the First Ordinary Session of the Parliament in Abuja on Wednesday. While congratulating President Muhammad Buhari on his support and selfless commitment towards the progress of the ECOWAS Community, Cisse Lo, noted that ECOWAS is improving on free movements of goods in the region for the benefit of it's economy and member states. He also applauded the synergy between the Parliament and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNCHR) towards the fight against impediments that could threaten progress in the region. Cisse Lo stressed that their move will help address political instability, which has undermined the progress of some of the countries and has negatively affected their democracy. He commended Guinea Bissau for a successful Parliamentary Election, expressing hope that the polls will bring about an end to political stability in the country. The Speaker regretted that some section of the people did not participate in the election, stressing that the Parliament will continue to monitor the country until its political situation returns to normalcy.
NO. 004/2019
08TH May, 2019
Also in a message at the occasion, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr Jean-Claude Brou said ECOWAS is committed to strengthening its intervention mechanisms to stabilise and address terrorism, cross-border crimes, inter-ethnic clashes, unemployment and migration in the region. Brou said the region was faced with several security challenges but the commission would continue to work closely with the parliament to reinforce political governance and democracy in the region. “It is working hand-in-hand and in the synergy that we will achieve the objectives set by our Founding Fathers, that is, a united and prosperous ECOWAS, for that harmonious development of our people. “In that respect, we will boost the cooperation, consultation and inter-institutional dialogue framework, through the frequent conduct of meetings. “We will equally give new momentum to the implementation of joint programmes through the technical working committees. The support of the ECOWAS Parliament is invaluable in achieving greater visibility for ECOWAS member states.” The Commission’s president also said the region’s economic prospects were promising given the “good performance of major macroeconomic indicators”. He added that the details of progress made in the region would be presented in the State of the Community Report during the session.