ABUJA, Nigeria – The 6th legislature of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament was officially inaugurated on April 4, 2024, in Abuja, the capital and headquarters of the institution. Notably, the event proceeded without the participation of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony was presided over by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and current ECOWAS President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signifying the commencement of the legislative body’s activities.
During the inauguration, representatives from the National Assemblies of member states took oaths of office, pledging to serve the sub-region’s interests. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of moving towards direct elections for ECOWAS parliamentarians, aligning with democratic principles that Nigeria advocates.
Yusuf Tuggar, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the crucial role of the ECOWAS Parliament in fostering regional stability and urged new members to collaborate closely with the ECOWAS Commission and other institutions for the effective implementation of regional policies.
The accomplishments of the previous legislature were commended by its Speaker, Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis, who lauded their dedication to human rights, democracy, and transparency. Leadership of the 6th legislature will pass to Togo, in line with the Additional Act that mandates a rotation system for the presidency among member states in alphabetical order.
The inauguration comes after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, expressing frustration over harsh community sanctions and a perceived lack of support in combating terrorism.