The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), Monday vowed to restore constitutional order in countries currently under military rule in the region.
Nigerian President, Muhammad Buhari, said, Nigeria remains committed to supporting ECOWAS to restore democratic rule in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
President Buhari made this pledge during the official opening of the 2022 Second Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
He said, “Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate my commitment to free, fair and transparent elections and smooth transitions.
This is one legacy that I want my administration to bequeath, not only to Nigeria, but to the region as a whole. At the regional level, Sierra Leone and Liberia are also preparing for elections. As in the past, Nigeria is ready to stand by any country in the region that is committed to organising free and fair elections”.
Buhari also urged the regional lawmakers to perform their sacred responsibility of considering the Community budget with diligence, while bearing in mind the sacrifice of various countries in the payment of Community Levy.
He also tasked them to remain conscious of the many challenges besieging the region and be sensitive to the needs of the people.
The Chair of Authority of ECOWAS Head of State and Government, and President of Guinea Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo decried the unconstitutional take over of government in the region.
He however, expressed ECOWAS commitment and determination to ensure that constitutional order is restored in Burkina Faso, Guinea and others, still under the control of the military junta.
President Embalo, also noted that there is a need to expand the economy of the region to creat more wealth for community members.
The Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis said,
this session, otherwise known as the “Budget Session”, mandates the Parliament, in accordance with its Supplementary
Act, to consider the Consolidated Community Budget.
The said, the regional legislators have been tasked to ensure that the Budget is directed towards programs that address the needs, aspirations and interest of the people they represent.
“In discharging this all-
important assignment, let us bear in mind the challenges we face
from an urgent and looming crisis in our Community. We must summon the will, courage and commitment to act in ways that will impact positively on our region.
Permit me to state that as a region, we are confronted with
unending chaos and crises, which are threatening the gains we have made in the recent past.”
