By Vincess Okushi
The Economic Community of the West African States, ECOWAS Parliament has for the first time since its creation in 2000, elected the first female speaker in the subregion.
Following the just concluded Parliamentary election held in Togo, on 29th April 2024, Memounatou Ibrahima, was emerged as the New Speaker of the Sixth Legislature of the Community Parliament at its ongoing Second Extraordinary Session in Kano state, North West Nigeria on 23rd May 2024.

This is by the provision of the Supplementary Act on Enhancement of Power, mandating the speakership of the ECOWAS Parliament on a rotational basis done alphabetically.

The new Speaker, Ibrahima was the third Deputy Speaker in the fifth Legislature and has served the Parliament since 2021, therefore taking up the mantle from the Nigerian leader of the delegation, Senator Barau Jubrin, the First Deputy Speaker elect during the inauguration of the Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament on 4th April 2024, Acting in the capacity of the Parliamentary Speaker to this day.