ECOWAS Parliament Establishes Committee to Mitigate Crisis in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia
The ECOWAS Parliament has established a new committee to address political instability in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia. Key figures, including Senator Ali Ndume and others, emphasized the urgent need for proactive diplomatic solutions and electoral reforms to prevent unconstitutional takeovers. The committee aims to facilitate immediate intervention as tensions escalate across the region.
During the recent closing session of the 2025 First Extraordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament in Lagos, significant concerns were raised over the increasing instability in West Africa. Prominent legislators, including Senator Ali Ndume of Nigeria, Gambian Fourth Deputy Speaker Billay Tunkara, and Sierra Leone’s MP Saa Emerson Lamina, underscored the dire need for proactive measures to maintain democracy, particularly in Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone, where political crises could compromise stability.
Senator Ndume emphasized the pivotal role of leadership in averting unconstitutional takeovers, asserting, “There’s no better option than democracy. The problem is in leadership. Military takeovers happen when people lose faith in their government.” He further noted that the ECOWAS, under the presidency of Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, faces a crucial test in preventing additional unrest within the region.
The discussions were heavily centered on the political turmoil in Guinea-Bissau, where the current president has been reluctant to step down and arrange elections, raising concerns about a potential coup. Hon. Billay Tunkara stressed the significance of parliamentary diplomacy, remarking, “It is high time Parliaments globally advocated for diplomatic solutions. We cannot sit and watch this crisis unfold.”
In response to the situation, an ad hoc committee has been established, comprising representatives from all member states, to facilitate immediate interventions. Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina echoed the need for early warning mechanisms by stating, “We should not be retroactive but proactive. It’s painful to see countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso out of ECOWAS due to political instability. This was not the dream of our founding fathers.”
Furthermore, the Parliament addressed the need for electoral reforms, emphasizing the importance of transparency and adherence to governance protocols signed by member states. Tunkara remarked on the advisory role of the ECOWAS Parliament, urging that heads of state must enforce compliance if Guinea-Bissau disregards recommendations, stating, “If Guinea-Bissau refuses to heed recommendations, the authority of heads of state must step in.” With this rising instability, ECOWAS leaders are confronted with a pivotal moment in their efforts to uphold democracy and regional unity.
In conclusion, the ECOWAS Parliament has acknowledged the increasing political instability in Guinea-Bissau and other member states, prompting the establishment of an ad hoc committee designed for immediate intervention. There is a collective consensus among lawmakers regarding the necessity of adhering to democratic principles and implementing electoral reforms. As political tensions rise, the role of leadership in safeguarding democracy emerges as a critical focus for ECOWAS at this juncture.
Original Source: www.pulse.ng
