The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called for stronger legislative and oversight powers to enable it to more effectively represent the interests and aspirations of citizens across the region.
ECOWAS Parliament Speaker Mémounatou Ibrahima made the call during a meeting with Senegalese President and Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Ibrahima said the Parliament’s ability to fulfil its mandate remains constrained by its largely consultative role, 25 years after the regional legislature was established.
“However, 25 years after its creation, the ECOWAS Parliament remains essentially a consultative body,” she said, stressing the need to strengthen its legislative and oversight functions.
She argued that greater powers would enhance the credibility, legitimacy and effectiveness of ECOWAS institutions while giving citizens a stronger voice in regional decision-making.
The Speaker also reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to representative democracy, human rights, peace and security, as well as institutional reforms aimed at bringing ECOWAS closer to the people.
The call comes as West Africa faces a range of political, economic, security and environmental challenges that have intensified discussions over the effectiveness of regional institutions. Recent debates within the Parliament have similarly focused on the need to expand its authority so lawmakers can play a more meaningful role in addressing issues such as climate change, migration, food insecurity and insecurity.
The ECOWAS Parliament was established under the bloc’s revised treaty and inaugurated in 2000. Its stated objectives include strengthening representative democracy, enabling greater public participation in the regional integration process, promoting peace and security, and contributing to the enactment of Community legislation in defined areas.
Faye, for his part, commended the Parliament’s contribution to regional integration and recognised its role in monitoring Community policies, conflict prevention, mediation and legislative harmonisation.
Describing the legislature as the “Assembly of the Peoples,” the Senegalese president highlighted its importance in strengthening democracy, regional dialogue, political stability, peace and social cohesion.
Faye also pledged his support for the Parliament in his capacity as chairman of the ECOWAS Authority and accepted an invitation to address lawmakers at a future plenary session, where he is expected to outline his vision and priorities for the region.
Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, welcomed Faye’s engagement with the regional legislature, saying closer interaction between the Parliament and ECOWAS leaders could strengthen regional integration.
The discussions highlighted a broader institutional question facing ECOWAS: how to give citizens a more direct role in shaping regional policies while strengthening accountability among the bloc’s institutions.
For the ECOWAS Parliament, greater legislative and oversight authority would represent a step toward making regional integration more participatory and responsive to the concerns of West African citizens.
