The ECOWAS Parliament has urged member states to strengthen democracy and combat rising insecurity, citing recent terrorist attacks in Mali and political instability in Guinea-Bissau. Speaker Memounatou Ibrahima made the appeal during the opening of the 2026 First Ordinary Session in Abuja on Monday, emphasizing that democracy remains the unshakeable foundation of the regional bloc. She condemned the April 25, 2026, terrorist attacks in several localities in Mali and expressed solidarity with the Malian people, while calling on Guinea-Bissau authorities to restore constitutional order. Ibrahima highlighted persistent threats including terrorism, piracy, cross-border crime, and climate change, stressing the need for coordinated regional action. She noted that the current global climate of conflict, particularly in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, is exacerbating inflation and energy pressures, further straining West Africa's fragile economies. The session, which runs for two weeks, includes the swearing-in of new parliamentarians, presentation of Country Reports, and preparations for a Special Summit on Regional Integration. Ibrahima stated that peace must be built through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect, not decreed. Nigeria's House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, warned that democratic governance in West Africa faces an existential threat due to declining voter participation, eroding public trust, and a resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government. He urged the ECOWAS Parliament to evolve beyond an advisory body into a stronger legislative authority with enhanced oversight and decision-making powers. Abbas also called for greater regional representation on the global stage, citing examples of other regional parliaments that have expanded their influence.
The ECOWAS Parliament demands stronger democratic safeguards while operating largely as an advisory body, exposing a gap between rhetoric and institutional power. Tajudeen Abbas's call for expanded legislative authority underscores that the Parliament lacks the teeth to enforce the very stability it champions. If regional peace must be built through cooperation, then a body that cannot act beyond appeals has already fallen behind the crisis.
💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
