The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to unity among its member states, despite recent withdrawals by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger following military takeovers.
Speaker Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima emphasised the parliament’s dedication to regional integration, stating, “We strengthen parliamentary diplomacy, because we know that the countries might break cooperation, but we cannot separate the population.”
The Speaker stated this when she led a delegation of the ECOWAS Parliament on a working visit to the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday in Abuja.
She highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in engaging countries considering withdrawal. “The population always lives together, and as representatives of the people, we are doing our best to ensure this living together continues and is made better.”
Akpabio praised Ibrahima’s leadership, commitment, and drive in steering the parliament toward a better future. “She has been wonderful since her election, providing leadership and using parliamentary diplomacy to strengthen community ideas.”
He commended her efforts to make the parliament more effective, even during Nigeria’s holiday period.