(Photo: National Assembly, Gambia)
By Ramatoulie Jawo
A joint committee delocalised meeting by the 5th legislature of the Economic Community of West African States Parliament (ECOWAS Parliament) is underway in Banjul.
The main objective of the meeting is to create an opportunity for the Members of the Joint Committee to take greater ownership of the ECOWAS Texts on peace and security, democracy and good governance, and to identify the best mechanism for oversight for their effective implementation.
The 5-day meeting on Political Affairs, Peace and Security and African Peer Review Mechanism, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Social Affairs, Gender and Women Empowerment runs from 16th to 20th August 2022.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs has called on Member States to give their full support to the domestication and implementation of all legal instruments
He said that as nations sharing the same destiny, the members have a moral obligation and a collective responsibility to act swiftly to address all issues hampering the institutional advancement, the consolidation of peace, security and the empowerment of women who are the driving forces of the Region.
“I hope we will continue the momentum generated at all sessions and go out strong with a renewed sense of commitment in our quest for the best for our nations and our peoples,” Minister Tangara said.
The speaker of Gambia Parliament, Fabakary T Jatta said Peace and Security is the bedrock for all development efforts.
“This is obvious because without peace and security, our Member States will not be able to implement effective economic policies, enforce the rule of law, attract business investments, and deliver public infrastructure and services,” he added.
Jatta said it is obvious that parliament has a special role in the promotion and protection of peace and security, good governance and human rights, a responsibility it shares with the Executive and the Judiciary
“In spite of this shared responsibility and owing to its role in law-making, the Parliament is the institution that is best placed to give effect to upholding human rights, promote peace and security, enhance and ensure good governance, (and) take practical measures to empower women,” Speaker Tombong Jatta said.
Bintou Camara, Deputy Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament said they are present in Banjul, to deliberate on the challenges in the implementation and the oversight roles of the Parliament on Community Texts relating to Peace, Security, Democracy and Good Governance.
“Many democracies are currently having difficulties globally, due to the lack of trust and accountability,” she added.
In his remarks, the majority leader of Gambia’s parliament and member of the ECOWAS parliament, Billay G. Tunkara expressed delight at the ECOWAS Parliament choosing The Gambia for the meeting.
“We are of course aware that progress is being made in detecting and monitoring early signs of conflict, and this is enhanced by local initiatives that facilitate ownership,” he said.