The President of the Pan-African Parliament, H.E Hon. Chief Fortune Charumbira delivered a message of solidarity to the opening of the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament on 28 November 2022 in Abuja, Nigeria.
In his message, H.E Hon. Charumbira described ECOWAS Parliament as a successful Parliamentary bloc, which has played a key role in promoting political and socio-economic integration of the West African community.
“You are one of the best regional Parliamentary set-ups on the continent and everyone should copy from you. We came here to tell you that you are doing very well and you should continue on that path,” said the President of the Continental Parliament, who delivered his message in the presence of H.E Umaro Sissoco Embalo, President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau and Chairperson of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, and H.E Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, host country to the ECOWAS Parliament. The message of solidarity was delivered at the invitation of the Speaker of Ecowas Parliament.
The leader of the legislative arm of the African Union (AU) also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the ECOWAS Parliament for the active collaboration with the PAP, as he recalled that a common purpose guides the two institutions to serve the people of Africa. The PAP President touted a collaborative framework with ECOWAS Parliament on various areas including food security, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), education and peace and security. H.E Hon. Charumbira further called on West African Parliamentarians to advocate for African development, in line with Agenda 2063, based on African values and principles.
ECOWAS Parliament was praised for the manner in which the institution adopted the principle of rotational leadership, which has ensured equity and fairness. Recalling the election of the Bureau held in June 2022, H.E.Hon. Chief Charumbira the 2nd Ordinary Session of the 5th Legislature of ECOWAS Parliament that the process signalled the return to full operational functionality of the PAP and, more importantly, the entrenchment of the principle of rotational leadership at the level of the Presidency. This principle is part and parcel of the recently amended Rules of Procedure of the PAP.
“We have made sure that the principle of rotation is observed throughout all the structures including leadership of Regional Caucuses and Permanent Committees,” said H.E. Hon. Charumbira.
The 2022 2nd Ordinary Session of the 5th Legislature of ECOWAS Parliament is dedicated to the consideration and presentation of the Consolidated Community Budget for the year 2023, Reports from Joint, Standing and Ad hoc Committees, Reports from Fact-Finding and Oversight Missions, Country Reports and Interactive sessions. The Session will run until 18 December 2022.
Watch the full statement from the President of the PAP: https://bit.ly/3OLfciz
