By Omonu YG Nelson
The Speaker of the outgoing Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, otherwise known as Community Parliament, Rt. Hon. Sidie Mohammed Tunis, has expressed gratitude to Heads of States of ECOWAS countries, especially those who chaired ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during the Fifth Legislature.
Tunis stated this today, 31 January 2024 during the opening and welcome address at the 2024 First Parliamentary Seminar in Freetown, Republic of Sierra Leone.
In his words: “I would also like to express my deep gratitude to all the Heads of State of the Community, particularly those who chaired the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government during this legislature. These include:
“His Excellency Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, former President of the Republic of Niger, before whom I took the oath and was invested as Speaker;
“His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, who honored us with his presence at several of our activities, including an ordinary session held at the institution’s headquarters in Abuja;
“His Excellency Umaro Sissoco Embaló, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, for his unfailing support and sound advice;
His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Current Chair of the Authority of Heads of States and Government, whose country hosts the headquarters of the ECOWAS Parliament and provides considerable support for our smooth running.
“My special thanks also go to His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who hosted us for a significant period of the 5th Legislature and graced the opening of one of our ordinary sessions in Abuja.”
He also commended the host President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his usual reception and hospitality: “First, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, for welcoming the ECOWAS Parliament once again.”
Tunis commended himself and his colleagues for a job well-done, saying: “I stand before you feeling fulfilled and humbled to have served our people and to report that our mission was very successful.
“It is worth noting that, more than all previous legislatures, the Fifth Legislature enjoyed the full participation and support of all the Heads of States in its quest to strengthen democracy across the region. My feelings of great esteem go out to all the Heads of State who provided us with wise advice and contributed to the success of our mandate.”
In retrospect, The ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, is one of the Institutions of ECOWAS. It is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community serving as a forum for dialogue, consultation and consensus for Representatives of the people of West Africa with the aim of promoting integration. It was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993.
The initial Protocol establishing the Parliament was signed in Abuja on August 6, 1994. It provided for the Structure, Composition, Competence and other matters relating to the Parliament. The Parliament is composed of one hundred and fifteen (115) seats. Each Member State shall have a guaranteed minimum of five (5) seats. The remaining forty (40) seats shall be shared on the basis of population.