Lomé, Togo — Hon. Abdul Kargbo, the Leader of the Opposition from the All People’s Congress (APC) Party in Sierra Leone’s Parliament, has expressed his gratitude for the deployment of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mission in Sierra Leone, known as ECOMSIL.
His remarks were made during the ongoing 3rd Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, currently being held in Lomé, Togo.
Speaking at the session on September 24, 2024, Hon. Kargbo took the opportunity to commend the Majority and Minority leaders in The Gambia’s Parliament and their respective members for their support in ensuring ECOMSIL’s presence in Sierra Leone.
“I expressed my thanks and appreciation to both the Leaders of the Majority and Minority parties in The Gambia parliament who and their MPs supported the deployment of ECOMSIL to Sierra Leone,” Kargbo stated during his address.
In his speech, Kargbo drew parallels between the situation in Sierra Leone and The Gambia’s 2016 election crisis. He referenced how former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh initially accepted the results of the election, which he lost to current President Adama Barrow, but later reneged on his promise to hand over power.
The intervention by ECOWAS was crucial in restoring peace and ensuring a democratic transition in The Gambia.
The 3rd Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, which runs from September 24 to October 4, 2024, focuses on adopting ECOWAS’ 2025 draft budget and addressing key reforms for the modernisation of the institution. The session aligns with ECOWAS’ Vision 2050, which seeks to create an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful West Africa.
The gathering in Lomé brings together 115 parliamentarians from the 15 member states. Discussions will emphasize regional governance, financial inclusion for women, and strategies to address ongoing security and economic challenges within the region.
The extraordinary session is held in accordance with Article 27(2) of the ECOWAS Supplementary Act, which allows such sessions to be convened at the initiative of the ECOWAS Chairman, Speaker, or at the request of a majority of members.
Alongside the session, a parliamentary orientation seminar for the 6th legislature is also taking place. This seminar focuses on exploring ECOWAS Parliament’s role in administrative restructuring and aligning its mandate with the Supplementary Act, contributing to the vision of transforming ECOWAS from an organization of states to one of people, where citizens’ voices are central to decision-making processes.
The ECOWAS Parliament, established as a representative body for the people of the community, allocates a guaranteed minimum of five seats to each member state. Larger nations, such as Nigeria, hold 35 seats, while smaller countries like Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Cape Verde are allocated five seats each.
