The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament is intensifying diplomatic efforts to prevent Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso from withdrawing from the regional bloc.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu confirmed that parliamentary diplomatic mechanisms are being deployed to engage the three nations, emphasizing the importance of unity within ECOWAS.
Letters have been sent to the governments of the concerned nations, and parliamentary representatives will soon visit to engage with heads of government, encouraging dialogue and reintegration.
Kalu assured that ECOWAS’s financial stability would not be at risk even if the three countries exit, citing multiple revenue streams, including the community levy and contributions from development agencies.
The ECOWAS Parliament is pushing for reforms to strengthen legislative independence, including updating laws to reflect the changing political landscape and bolstering the separation of powers.
Proposed amendments aim to enhance the credibility of the institution on the international stage, with Kalu emphasizing that laws are not cast in stone and need to be updated accordingly.
Since the military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger announced their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, the regional body has attempted to negotiate their return through sanctions relief and technical meetings, but to no avail.
