The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has adopted new Rules of Procedure, which prohibit members from making derogatory remarks about fellow members and West African Heads of State.
The regional lawmakers approved the revised Rules of Procedure during the First Ordinary Session of the parliament yesterday in Abuja.The fourth Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the report’s Ad-Hoc Committee, Billay Tunkara, who presented the document, explained that the amendments aimed at reinforcing parliamentary transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
The revised rules also stipulate that members, who miss one-third of an ordinary session without justification, would be sanctioned, and their sitting allowances suspended.
The amendments also specify gender and language balance in committee appointments, formalise a dress code to reflect the parliament’s dignity, and a quorum of 50+ members to commence a session.
The new rules also stipulate that, in order to preserve impartiality, the Parliament’s Speaker may only take part in debates after temporarily vacating his/her chair to the Deputy Speaker.
“The adoption of the revised rules is expected to enhance attendance, discipline, and the overall quality of debate in the ECOWAS Parliament,” the document said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the regional parliament’s 2025 First Ordinary Session, which began on Tuesday, will end on May 31.
The session also heralds a series of activities lined up for the parliament’s 25th anniversary later in November.The events aim at promoting regional integration and cooperation among ECOWAS member states.
ECOWAS Parliament bars members from insulting leaders
(FILES) (FILES) Flags of Economic Community of West African States Commission (ECOWAS) countries are displayed inside the Nigeria presidential villa, after the extraordinary session of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State and Government in Abuja, Nigeria on February 24, 2024. The withdrawal of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso from the Economic Community of West African States takes effect on Wednesday after a year of political tensions, fracturing the region and leaving the bloc with an uncertain future. On January 29, 2024, the three countries led by military regimes formally notified ECOWAS of their desire for "immediate" withdrawal. But the texts of the West African organisation required one-year's notice for it to be effective. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)
