The Economic Community of West African States Parliament is stepping up diplomatic efforts to prevent Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from leaving the regional bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, confirmed that parliamentary diplomatic mechanisms were being deployed to engage the three nations, emphasising the importance of unity within ECOWAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He spoke in an interview over the weekend with newsmen in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on the sidelines of a meeting of the parliament\u2019s Joint Committee on Administration, Finance, Budget, Public Accounts, Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, of which he is Chairman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kalu said letters had been sent to the governments of the concerned nations, and visits by parliamentary representatives would soon follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He expressed confidence that dialogue would lead to their reintegration into the regional body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are already mechanisms in place, through what is called parliamentary diplomacy, to reach out to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLetters have been sent to them, and very soon, some of us will start visiting those countries to engage the heads of government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will open up the doors for them to come back to the family; we need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will tell them, for instance, that, granted, maybe they were offended by one or two things, but let us sit down again and discuss,\u201d the deputy speaker stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kalu also noted that even in a worst-case scenario where the three countries proceed with their exit, ECOWAS\u2019s financial stability would not be at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted the organisation\u2019s multiple revenue streams, including the community levy and contributions from development agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are many other sources. So, we want to make sure that we streamline it and know where monies are coming from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf these are not enough, we will increase because there are so many development agencies, there are so many people who are interested in the sub-region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere are multiple ways of raising funds for the parliament, as well as the community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to addressing the potential exit, the ECOWAS Parliament is pushing for reforms to strengthen legislative independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kalu, who also chairs the country\u2019s House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee, said that the laws governing ECOWAS needed updating to reflect the changing political landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed amendments would bolster the separation of powers and enhance the credibility of the institution on the international stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRightly put, we need to amend the Supplementary Act. Also, the protocols that brought the ECOWAS Commission and ECOWAS Parliament into existence need to be overhauled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is because these laws are not cast in stones. Indeed, no law is cast in stone,\u201d the two-term lawmaker (APC-Abia, Bende Constituency) added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since January 28, 2024, when the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS, the regional body has attempted to negotiate their return through sanctions relief and invitations to technical meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, these attempts have been met with silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n