ECOWAS PARLIAMENT — A tense exchange erupted on Saturday between two members of the ECOWAS Parliament, Guy Marius Sagna and Adjaratou Traoré, during a session that underscored deep divisions over governance and poverty in West Africa. The dispute centered on comments made by Sagna, which were critical of African leaders’ roles in the region’s economic challenges.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Senegalese MP Guy Marius Sagna accused the West African heads of state of contributing to the impoverishment of their countries, sparking a sharp rebuke from Adjaratou Traoré, the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Parliament from Ivory Coast. Traoré contested Sagna’s approach and the decorum of his speech, emphasizing the need for respect and propriety in addressing national leaders. The altercation escalated, nearly leading to a physical confrontation, and resulted in the temporary suspension of the parliamentary session as emotions ran high among the lawmakers.