ECOWAS Commission has been urged to liaise with the African Union to aide the strengthening of regional security operations to counter the threat of coup d`etat in the sub-region.
Members of the Parliamentarian made the recommendation at the close of the delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committees on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and the African Peer Review Mechanism, Judicial Affairs and Human Rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment held in Liberia from 25 to 28 July 2023.
The meeting which is aimed at proffering the best mechanisms for greater political inclusion in governance across member states is to foster peace, and security as well as prevent and resolve the unprecedented crisis facing the region.
Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, the Leader of the Liberian Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament Sen. Edwin Snowe, said the threats of insecurity and backslide in democratic rule in the region must be stopped and expressed optimism that the leadership of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria who is the Chair of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of States will intervene and bring a lasting solution to the coup in the region.
“We appeal to the ECOWAS Commission to work hard to strengthen collective regional security operations in collaboration with the African Union and key partners.
“To encourage regional efforts in addressing the concerns and common security challenges that make the state fragile and susceptible to coups.
“Encourages the ECWOAS Commission to continue to intensify dialogue with the transitional authorities in Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.
“In other to ensure the follow-up and implementation of the transition timetable with a view to accelerate the return to constitutional order in these states.
“Urges the ECOWAS Parliament to develop mechanisms to enable it to be proactive, operational in conflict prevention and management.
“Urges the member states to centralize military commands to avoid formation of elite military units or parallel military forces whose command and control is outside a unified command structure.
“It is actually said in Guinea Bissau two weeks ago when President Tinubu said zero tolerance to coup d’etat and less than two weeks later there is a coup d’etat.
“It is actually a shame for our region and we hope that we will find a way to stop this. Because it is backsliding from democracy. Gone are the days when we had Samuel Doe, Jerry Rawling, Yahaya Jameh, and Abacha. Gone are those days.
“We have made significant progress in our drive to democracy so to see us going back to where we come from is a shame and I hope that something will be done in a faster manner for us to correct the situation.
“It is a big test for Nigeria and the leadership of the Chairmanship of President Tinubu and we are hoping that there will be some drastic measures to correct this situation in our region.
“This time around, ECOWAS will not be a sleeping bulldog. I believe in the leadership of President Tinubu and I am sure he will make a difference.”
The draft report will be enhancing the peace, security, stabilization, and good governance of the Member States, and it’s expected to be adopted at the plenary next session.