As to why there is surge in threat of terrorism and attack within the West African sub-region, the Community Parliament’s Committee chair on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. said its as a result of starvation and joblessness.
According to him this has pushed the sub-region to its current state, especially when the young ones in the sub-region feel that they cannot afford food and they feel they need to do something that provide them food, “it’s wrong there is no justification for this”.
He said in an interview that rather, “we need to create more jobs for our people; invest in the education sector. “If you stay in a country and the citizens feel like it is they verses us, it gives room for carious and deviant behavior”.
Senator Snowe further advocated that the young people within the sub-region should be given a sense of national ownership, so that they feel that they are part of those who own the country and their destiny.
“You do not go out there to create chaos as a young person, which would affect yourself. Again the global economy is challenged; people are broke you know prices everywhere is going up, I do not know about Nigeria but salaries for civil servants are not going up and pay role for business are not going up”.
Again, terrorism is link to economics, and if people believe they cannot survive but the only way to survive is to cause havoc for them to live they have to do that which is wrong and we should face the reality.
His take on the ECOWAS Commission president’s report in tackling terrorism by raising a brigade, “sometimes things are good for the ears but implementing is a problem. If you listen to the budget size in billions is not an easy thing, it’s good to do but it’s difficult now”.
And quickly posed a question, if ECOWAS had a taskforce would they have been able to go into Russia and prevent it from attacking Ukraine?
Again, if we had a task force how many people would be required to come to Nigeria, if there was a problem, to attack Boko Haram .
“We need to invest more in education and work on our poverty reduction strategy because when peoples pocket are empty and stomach empty, they would revert to means that can put food on their table”.
A section of lawmakers at the ongoing 2023 first Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament in Abuja Nigeria, are anxiously waiting to hear Sierra Leone’s country report.
In an interview with the leader of the Liberian delegation Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. on Friday, May 12, 2023 he noted that they are waiting for the Country report to be presented on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
According to him, he is concerned about Sierra Leone’s report as ECOWAS and the AU have sponsored a fact finding mission there and he is in possession of those fact finding mission but he cannot disclose those report.
“But I need to listen to their country report and relate it to the fact finding report, but now we are concerned Sierra Leone has not given their country report Saturday. They would give their report based on that we critic their report on the information we have”.
Senator Snowe further noted that, the Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) will visit Sierra Leone after the Session, but was quick to point out people are already on the ground and working with the ECOWAS Commission which is giving up to date briefing.
“We are concerned about the political situation there hence the reason to listen to their country”.
Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament’s Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Senator Snowe Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. has urged the sub-regional bloc to pay attention to the political situation in Senegal which is becoming alarming at the ongoing first Ordinary Session of 2023 in Abuja Nigeria.
According to him what is happening to the opposition there unhealthy and ECOWAS should call a spade a spade so that same situation does not repeat itself in member countries; freedom of speech should be respected.
He made this remarks when the Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray presented the state of the Community report to the Parliament as part of Article 32 of the Supplementary Act enhancing the powers of the Community Parliament which afford MPs the opportunity to ask critical questions on happenings within the sub-region and how they should be addressed.
“At each Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, the President of the Commission presents a general report of the state of implementation of the Community Work programme”.
As presentation of the state of the Community report provides an opportunity for MPs as representatives of the ECOWAS citizens to track and oversee the implementation of the Community Programmes.
He further commended the relationship between ECOWAS Commission and Parliament to the extent that whiles the Parliament is facing challenges in using its premises, the Commission has given it the opportunity to use it premises.
Hon Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante, member of the Nigerian delegation to the Community was worried about some developments in the sub-region where constitutions are tempered with and this affects the much talked about election of ECOWAS MPs when in the middle of term constitutions are changed.
In addition, he commended the relationship that exist between the Parliament and the Commission but was quick to point out that, it should not develop to the extent that the parliament will renege on its direct responsibilities.
“Parliament should not have its own House and go and stay in its neighbours House. We cannot hold others accountable when we are not accountable to ourselves. The relationship should be good; but Mr. President should Parliament come for this venue reject their request so that we can seat under mango trees to enable us put our House in order”, he stated.
Leader of the Ghanaian delegation to the Community Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin on Friday, May 12, 2023 after presenting Ghana’s Country report at the ongoing 2023 first Ordinary Session in Abuja – Nigeria announced Ghana will host the second Extra Ordinary Session of the Community Parliament for the second time in Winneba – Central Region of Ghana slated for September to October 2023.
According to him Winneba is very happy to receive the Community Parliament for the second time after it successively hosted a delocalized meeting and Extra Ordinary Session last year 2022.
“I know the second coming is going to be profitable to you Madam Speaker; we are for you and we promise our colleagues that they would have memories that would remain with them that they can never forget”.
He further added that all ECOWAS Parliament staffs, experts and the media who haven’t invited should come and enjoy the hospitality of Winneba, the capital of Effutu in the Central Region.
Leader of Ghana’s delegation to the Community Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo Markin presenting Ghana’s country report at the ongoing 2023 first Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament in Abuja Nigeria noted that Ghana’s security situation remains relatively calm; but asserts that the country is ready to deal with any such security threats.
He was however quick to point out to the plenary that there are some factors that pose security threat to the country’s stability in the past months which include land and chieftaincy disputes, threats of terrorism and violent extremism.
However, the government of Ghana and the security sector has therefore instituted measures to mitigate these threats which have culminated in safeguarding the peace and stability of the country.
Chieftaincy Disputes and Ethnic Conflicts
Ghana recorded a number of land and chieftaincy disputes characterised by tension resulting in violent clashes between feuding factions particularly in Northern part of the country, and some coastal areas.
The Government of Ghana, through State Security Agencies and some eminent personalities continually engage factions in the various disputes to effectively address the conflicts.
Terrorism and Violent Extremism
The continuous spread of terrorism from the Sahel region to coastal West African States remains a concern to Ghana. More worrying is the deteriorating security situation in countries proximal to Ghana, underscoring the need to enhance efforts to bolster the country’s counter-terrorism and counter-extremism measures.
While the Government continues to employ kinetic measures, efforts are being made to address factors such as economic hardship, injustice, and tribal conflicts which could be exploited by terrorists to infiltrate Ghana.
Indeed, a study conducted by Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism (AOCE), a research group based in Cairo, has identified the combined impact of COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and food crisis as major drivers for the recruitment of African youth into terrorist organizations, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, and Central African Republic.
The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of National Security, continues to adopt the following measures aimed at effectively dealing with the threats of terrorism:
Intensification of ongoing counter-terrorism operations along the various frontiers of the country in line with the National Framework for Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism
Adoption of the ‘soft options’ approach by expediting development and providing employment for the youth, particularly, in vulnerable areas likely to be targeted by terrorists.
Political and Socioeconomic Developments
Leader of the Ghanaian delegation pointed out that the year 2023 began with a generally calm political situation. After successfully electing their leadership, the major political parties have rolled out the roadmap toward electing Parliamentary and Presidential Candidates ahead of Ghana’s 2024 general elections.
As expected of political campaigns, there have been isolated incidents of tensions between incumbents and new aspirants in some constituencies. The swift intervention of the security agencies has ensured that peace in such communities is safeguarded.
Again like other member states Ghana has not been spared from the adverse economic impact of the Russia-Ukrainian conflict and the aftershock of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government of Ghana, in its attempt to salvage the situation, has undergone a largely successful Domestic Debt Restructuring Programme and implemented new economic policies which include the introduction of three new revenue bills (Income Tax Amendment Bill, Excise Duty Amendment Bill and Sustainability Amendment Bill), to mobilize revenue to further curtail the dire effect of the aforesaid developments on the economy, and also help in securing a three billion dollar (USD 3billion) loan facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The introduction of the new Bills generated public uproar through social and mainstream media. The government, through various media platforms, succeeded in engaging the citizenry on the need for the introduction of the new taxes.
Ghana’s success in mitigating both internal and external threats can be attributed to the effective collaboration among all State Security and Intelligence Agencies, and the harmony in the coordination of their activities through the Ministry of National Security.
The Government of Ghana is committed to maintaining the status quo to enhance a conducive democratic environment that promises true development for the citizenry.
Inhuman Prison Conditions
Conditions in Ghana’s prisons such as overcrowding and the deplorable state continue to be a major human rights concern.
As of April 2023, inmate population stood at 15,164 as against the authorised prison population of 10,265. The overcrowding rate stood at 47.73%. Medium security prisons were reported to have much higher overcrowding rate than the lower-security prisons. The overcrowding situation often leads to the spread of communicable diseases, infections, and contamination.
As part of measures to address the overcrowding situation, the Justice for All Programme (JFAP) was instituted by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department in 2007 to help promote access to justice and the speedy trial of cases of remand prisoners.
This intervention is supported by Pro Bono Lawyers providing legal representation for remand prisoners during mobile and in-prison special courtsessions and has over the years resolved many remand prison cases. Specifically, the JFAP has contributed to the reduction of the remand prison population from 33% in 2007 to 12% in 2022.
Despite this, the prison population remains high. CHRAJ has been collaborating with POS Foundation and other stakeholders to advocate for the passage of the Non-Custodial Sentencing Billto provide alternative sentencing, other than a prison term for persons who commit minor or petty offences. Also, CHRAJ in collaboration with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa has been advocating for the Declassification/Decriminalisation of Minor/Petty Offences Bill and for a review and amendment of the Criminal Offences Act by Parliament.
The provision of adequate meals for inmates is another major challenge. Three-square meals per each prisoner have been set at GH¢1.80 Ghana cedis (0.60 pesewas per meal), which is woefully inadequate. As a way of remedying this situation, the Prison Service has undertaken farming activities at the prisons to supplement the dietary needs of prisoners. Pretrial detainees on the other hand, are not provided with food.
PROTOCOL RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY LEVY
As of March 2023, Ghana had honoured its financial commitments to the ECOWAS Commission as specified below:
Month (2023) Payment (Units of Accounts)
January 29,764,364.36
February 28,753,285.76
March 35,427,756.91
Total 357,079,592.04
Month (2022) Payment (Units of Accounts)
May 29,522,441.31
June 28,712,301.91
July 28,613,450.64
August 35,244,397.52
September 32,195,983.12
October 31,877,839.20
November 41,887,598.95
December 35,080,172.3
Protocol on free movement of persons and goods
The ECOWAS Treaty of 1975 stipulates in article 2(2) and article 27 the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment. Sub paragraph (d) of article 2(2) of the ECOWAS Treaty calls on Member States to ensure the abolition of obstacles to Free Movement of Persons, Services and Capital. Paragraph 1 of Article 27 confers the status of community citizenship on the citizens of Member States and enjoins Member States to abolish all obstacles to freedom of movement and residence within the community.
The Ghana Immigration Service,as one of the leading institutions tasked with the responsibility of implementing the Free Movement Protocols is working hard to ensure the smooth implementation of the ECOWAS Protocols on free movement of persons, right of entry, residence and establishment.
Right of Entry
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) in recognition of the (ECOWAS) Protocols on free movement ensures that Community citizens are accorded the needed courtesies at the various points of entry and exit. For instance, special booths are allocated to ECOWAS Citizens to facilitate their movement at the various Immigration controls.
The Ghana Immigration Service has established a Migration Information Bureau (MIB) that is officially mandated to sensitize the general public on the dangers of illegal migration, and encourage legal means of migration. GIS has developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance.
The GIS also ensures that all officers comply with the code of ethics of the Service, as well as the ECOWAS Protocols onFree Movement of Persons, by paying attention to the rights and privileges of community citizens.
Community Citizens with Dual Nationality
ECOWAS nationals with additional nationality donot require visas to enter Ghana, once they travel with both passports. For instance, aSenegalese with American passport does not requirea visa to come to Ghana so far as he/she can produce his/her Senegalese passport (ECOWAS passport) and decide to enter with it. Prior to this, a community citizen with dual nationality required a visa to enter Ghana.
Collaboration with Border Agencies
The Ghana Immigration Service cooperates and collaborates with other agencies and stakeholders and neighbouring border security agencies at the frontiers in the implementation of the Protocols on Free Movement of ECOWAS citizens. This is done through the sharing of information and joint training and patrols. GIS is currently part of the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS).
Joint Border Post
The Ghana Immigration Service with support of development partners has established a joint border post with Togo at Akanu/Noepe to improve cooperation and facilitate the free movement of persons, services and capital. However,the Post is not fully functional due to lack of resources. It will be expedient for the ECOWAS Commission to have a second look at the facility and make it operational.
Ghana now opens and operates most of its frontiers on a twenty- four (24) hour basis to ensure free movement of community citizens.
Right to Residence and Establishment
An ECOWAS citizen who establishes a business in Ghana, only needs to satisfy immigration requirements and apply for work/residence permit, unlike other nationals who are required to apply for work /residence permit to operate.
Community citizens are issued with permits, which attract administrative fees. For instance, students permit for community citizens studying in Ghana, residence permits for businesses and dependent permits for community citizens who are married to Ghanaians.
Community citizens who take up employment with companies and institutions also secure their permits through their employers.
However, there has been anamendment to the protocol A/P. 1/5/79 relating to free movement of persons, residence and establishment, that sought to abolish
The 90-day stay limit granted to community members.
The residence and work permit requirements for community members.
The inclusion of ECOWAS Biometric National Card as Travel Document.
It is important to indicate that Member States are not enforcing these amendments.
A member of Nigerian’s delegations to the Community Parliament Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu at the ongoing 2023 first Ordinary Session presentation of country report noted that despite the enthusiasm and awareness creation leading to the February 2023 general election it recorded a very low voter turn-out.
Presenting her Country’s report to the plenary on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 according to her out of the total of ninety three point forty-seven million (93.47) registered voters only twenty-four point nine million (24.9m) voters turn out for the presidential and National Assembly elections.
This represents a meagre 26.72 percent voter turnout, the lowest since the return to democracy in 1999.
And in response the, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) noted that the low number of voters was as a result of some technical hitches in the technological device known as the BVAS which is a Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, which was designed to capture the biometrics of prospective voters and upload polling results.
Some other reported challenges were the late arrival of election materials, and ad hoc staff, as well as setting up in the wrong locations.
Despite the challenges the elections were concluded successfully and Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was declared winner and President-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Whiles, five out of the 17 parties that participated in the February 25, 2023, presidential elections challenged the victory of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) through petitions filed before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) sitting at the Court of Appeal, in Abuja.
The aggrieved five – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate Atiku Abubakar; Labour Party (LP) and its flag bearer Peter Obi; Action Alliance (AA); All Peoples Movement (APM); and the Action Peoples Party (APP) and its candidate, Nnadi Osita – have disputed the results declared by INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu.
Security challenges in the North-West
Nigeria has confronted several security conundrums in recent years, including armed banditry, which poses a severe threat to the north-west and the entire nation. North-west Nigeria has been hit by an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, population displacements, cattle rustling, and disruption of socio-economic activities due to the rise of armed bandits in the region.
These events have created a climate of uncertainty that has become a cause for concern for the government and the citizenry.
The Kaduna State Government disclosed in March 2023 that 214 people were killed while 746 others were abducted by bandits from January to March.
The report showed that Kaduna central senatorial district recorded the highest number of casualty with 115 deaths followed by Kaduna South and Kaduna North senatorial districts with 61 and 38 deaths respectively.
In addition also indicated that of the 746 people kidnapped, Kaduna central senatorial district accounted for 492 victims followed by Kaduna south senatorial district with 221 while 33 people were abducted in Kaduna north senatorial district.
In response to these security challenges, the Kaduna State government has pledged to intensify and sustain simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the Northwest region and Niger which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges and are most heavily impacted by this security challenge.
Security challenges in the North-East
The Nigerian government’s agenda for the resettlement and return of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Nigeria’s Borno state has posed a number of challenges for residents in the North Eastern parts of Nigeria.
And recently, the Borno state government has made concerted efforts in accelerating IDP relocation efforts. With federal support, the Borno State government has closed a number of IDP camps, bringing home refugees who fled to neighbouring states to escape conflict. However it has been discovered that the resettlementexercise has posed some challenges as some Jihadist groups operate near the sites to which some IDPs are being moved, often involuntarily thereby exposing the residents to risks due to a lack of security, public services and monetary support.
Borno state has been the epicentre of fighting between Nigeria and jihadist insurgents for thirteen years, and during that period has seen the most war-related displacement in the country’s north east.
Civil society groups have called for a suspension of camp closures by focusing on providing IDPs with the support they need.
Tensions due to Naira Scarcity
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the 4th quarter of 2022 announced a Naira redesign, demonetisation, and the introduction of a new cashless policy in the implementation of these commitments has not only unsettled political and electoral calculations and permutations but has directly impacted the security of citizens.
Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante
With the scarcity of cash creating tensions and long queues at banking institutions, leading to protests in Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Edo and Delta states. These macro monetary policies were principally meant to preserve the integrity of the Naira, reduce the significant amount of cash in circulation outside the banking system and its use for criminal activities, and strengthen the economy by controlling spiralling inflation and corruption.
According to her, the CBN initiative was aimed towards supporting Nigeria’s quest to fighting corruption but with the lack of cash in circulation during the first quarter of the year indeed increased the risk of citizens being susceptible to vote buying.
Despite the potential benefits of the CBNs initiative there was palpable frustration and anxiety among citizens, with the inability to access cash having grounded many small businesses, further increased crime and daily hardships.
The cash and fuel scarcity experienced earlier in the year affected security operations, which also rely heavily on cash for their operations. Lack of mobility and security impacted the ability of INEC to hold polls in all the polling units across states in the federation in a safe and secure setting.
Furthermore many citizens were unable to travel for the elections, increasing the risk of low turnout and undermining the credibility of the outcome. Additionally, local printing of election materials and other sub-contracted services were affected by the cash shortages.
INEC found it extremely difficult to effectively deploy logistics and staff to remote locations. It normally pays transporters and provide resources for more than a million ad-hoc staff in the 8,809 political wards in cash.
Due to the hardships posed by the Naira redesign, on the 22nd of February, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court was instituted for a judgement on the naira redesign policy. The judgement slated for 3rd March resulted in a reversal of the naira redesign policy and an introduction of the old naira designs thereby putting a stop to the naira scarcity and the challenges that ensued fromit.
Human right violations triggered during the 2023 elections
The Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission confirmed the receipt of 450 complaints of human rights abuses and violations during the conduct of 2023 general elections. According to the record, 300 complaints of human rights violations were received during the Presidential and National Assembly elections while 150 cases were reported for the governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
The widespread complaints ranged from violence, vote buying, voter suppression, intimidation, hate speech among myriad of things. Particularly, in Lagos States, with the dire threats, destruction of property and livelihood of a certain tribe and distressful warning against voting towards a particular direction led to disenfranchisements.
In response, on March 13, 2023, the Nigerian Police Force directed its state commands to ensure investigation in all cases of violation of the Electoral Act during the February 25, 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.
And on March 14, 2023 the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed setting up a legal team to prosecute over 200 persons arrested for various electoral offences. This is just as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) investigates 13 suspects for voters’ inducement during the polls.
In her presentation she noted that they are certain that the prosecution of these cases would serve as deterrent to potential offenders and reduce possibilities of future elections violence. Thereby, providing relief to victims of electoral violence and restoring the dwindling integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system while considerably impacting human rights.
Evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan
Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has positively responded in the evacuation of stranded Nigerian citizens in Sudan as the raging conflict in the country intensifies. For the smooth execution of this exercise, the Federal Government of Nigeria has earmarked the sum $1.2 million to ensure that about 5,500 Nigerian students currently schooling in Sudan and other citizens of the country are safely returned to Nigeria.
Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila
Protocol Relating to the Community Levy
Nigeria has, so far in 2023, remitted a total sum of N307, 654,790,928 which is 515,379,290 in the units of accounts value to the ECOWAS Commission.
The Nigerian Government is committed to fulfilling her financial obligations to ECOWAS, and is making arrangements to pay up any outstanding balance for the year.
Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods
Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons and Goods is completely unwavering. In a bid to gain full realization of the protocol, the Federal Government has introduced Visa on Arrival (VoA) policy to expedite movement of ECOWAS members through Nigeria’s borders.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA. Nigeria has equally demonstrated commitment to a gradual removal of import duties and other non-tariff barriers on imports within the African continent.
To show the Federal Government’s commitment, the Nigerian Ports Authority has commissioned the first Export Processing Terminal (EPT) in the country.
This is geared at enabling export-bound cargoes access to the Lagos Seaports without a glitch, in line with AfCFTA objectives. With this move, we believe we will encourage intra-African trade and promote regional development.
As part of its Country report presented at the pleanary on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at the ongoing 2023 first Ordinary Session in Abuja Nigeria, Senegal told the House it remains on security alert despite being a stable Country compared to the overall security sitation in the Region.
According to Aimé Assine who presented his country Report their alertness is informed by events in their neighbouring countries and attempts by terrorists to enter Senegal combined with political movements.
Whiles with regard to series of crimes and violence against children, measures have been taken by strengthening local security and also through communication based on sensitizing parents.
And as part of the fight against terrorism, the President of the Republic signed in Paris the Christchurch appeal against the dissemination of terrorist contents online.
In its bid to become a leader in the fight against cybercrime, Senegal has set up a special cybercrime division under the Judicial and Open Police.
cybersecurity school with a regional vocation, currently housed at the National School of Administration (ENA) pending its transfer to the new urban centre of Diamniadio.
Thus, the State of Senegal’s hosting of the 7th Forum on Peace and Security in Africa at the beginning of last November was a major contribution to the fight against terrorism in all its forms.
Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and Goods
Senegalese authorities attach importance to the strict application of the provisions of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, the right of establishment and residence, which they consider to be one of the main pillars of regional integration.
It is in this spirit that the said Protocol and the other Community texts that complement it, such as the Decision on the ECOWAS Passport and the biometric identity card, are implemented. Moreover, it should be noted that there are still barriers due to ignorance of the texts or to deliberate acts of illegal collection.
Senegal is working to tackle these challenges, by ensuring better implementation of ECOWAS and WAEMU texts, in particular, the reduction of checkpoints. It should also be noted that our country has proceeded with the abolition of the Resident Card and the implementation of an ECOWAS Biometric National Identity Card which was stipulated by Act n ° 05/2016 of 04 March 2016 and officially launched on October 04, 2016, by the Head of State, making Senegal the first country to introduce it.
In the same vein, the project to launch an Integration Caravan, which will visit the cities of Bircama in The Gambia, Saõ Domingos in Guinea Bissau and Ziguinchor in Senegal, is being finalized with the National Offices of the three countries working on its implementation.
In addition, on 3 November 2021 Senegal launched its national platform for the implementation of the ECOWAS Regional Programme of Support for Cross-Border Cooperation (PRACT) 2021-2025. As a reminder, this multi-sectoral development programme aims to work with local communities in the border regions to ensure social cohesion, regional construction and sustainable development.
Fight against corruption and money laundering
The National Office for the Fight against Fraud and Corruption (OFNAC) is the main body in charge of the fight against corruption.
It has powers of self-referral, investigation and referral to justice, this fight against money laundering and terrorist financing was taken up at the ECOWAS level through the regional training workshop on the National Risk Assessment (NRA) of money laundering and terrorist financing organized three years ago by the Intergovernmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).
It remains a concern widely shared by all member states including Senegal.
Sensitisation by MPs of the ECOWAS Parliament sessions to the national assembly
As part of their sensitization activities, the ECOWAS MPs from Senegal are planning to organize restitution sessions in the assembly and at the grassroots level, cultural and sports activities are planned in several localities of the country, as was the case in the past in Bakel and Kébéler.
The Senegalese party recommends the organising of sub-regional festivals to enhance the rich cultural heritage of our peoples.
And inview of that, Senegalese MPs at ECOWAS are in permanent contact with their National Assembly.
Other major political development
Senegal is on track in terms of managing its political framework and this is as a result of the efforts made on both sides to maintain a social climate, which goes beyond promoting democracy, which is a particular mark of our country in the sub-region.
Senegal has been rebuked by ECOWAS court of justice over the sponsorship system it has adopted.
Contrary to the sponsorship practised elsewhere by the system of electors, which favours the majority party in the major institutions, Senegal has chosen citizen sponsorship, which comes from the entire population, without any discrimination and which has the advantage of eliminating in any democracy, any hint of fanciful candidacy, and which in fact reduces the unnecessary number of candidates (47 lists for the 2017 legislative elections) and also significantly reduce the cost of elections.
For the candidates, this involves garnering the sponsorship of 0.8% to 1% of the electorate, i.e. 52,000 signatures, spread over at least seven of the country’s 14 regions with a minimum of 2,000 per region.
Another fact to note is the protest of 23 March 2021, then March 2023 following the arrest of Mr. Ousmane SONKO, leader of the opposition party “PASTEF the Patriots”, who came third in the last presidential elections of 2019.
Recalling On February 3, 2021, a young Senegalese named Adji Rabi SARR lodged a complaint with the Investigation Squad of the National Gendarmerie against Mr. SONKO. Respecting the separation of powers, the State has strictly limited itself to its role of ensuring that the rights of both parties are respected.
The investigation initiated in accordance with the relevant procedure was to enable the gendarmes, after hearing the complainant, to take the statements of the respondent. When summoned, Mr SONKO hid behind his parliamentary immunity to turn down the invitation by the gendarmes. In accordance with the laws and regulations, his parliamentary immunity was lifted, allowing the proceedings to be continued by the investigating judge who summoned him for a hearing on March 3, 2021.
On several occasions, Mr. SONKO said that he would not answer the judge before changing his mind and finally agreed to comply.
However, he used stratagems to mobilize his supporters, organize a delaying tactics by mobilizing the public to avoid going before the judge or, at least, to go on his own conditions.
Underlying the riots, the demonstrators took to the streets to express their poor living conditions and their frustration exacerbated by the impacts of an economic crisis aggravated by the effects of Covid-19 on the daily lives of Senegalese.
This situation has resulted in job losses for young people and women and especially in the restriction of freedoms imposed by the curfew and the ban on gatherings of all kinds.
Despite the violence observed among some of the demonstrators, the Defense and Security forces, as seasoned professionals, were able to handle the situation with discernment as well as maintained order.
Through reassuring messages, President Macky SALL is resolutely committed to providing strong, effective and sustainable solutions to the concerns and living conditions of our compatriots.
The Head of State has thus taken measures concerning support for young people in order to respond, in a substantial and urgent manner, to the needs for training, employment and financing of projects to support youth and women’s entrepreneurship and the informal sector.
President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray has pledged that the West Africa bloc will continue to support member states in transition currently Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea to return to normal constitutional rule in his address at the opening of the 2023 first Ordinary Session.
According to him there is mobilisation of international support for Burkina Faso and Mali to fight terrorism and address humanitarian crises.
“We also continue to support elections in our Member States both as a conflict prevention measure and a support to our democratization process. In this regard, I would like to commend the Government and people of Nigeria for their political maturity, which has made it possible to organize peaceful presidential and legislative elections”.
He took the opportunity to also congratulate the President-elect, His Excellency Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to reiterate to him the Community’s full readiness to work closely with him on matters affecting the region.
“It is worthy to recall here that our meeting today is taking place in a context characterized by upheavals in the international environment. The situation in our region remains worrisome. Nonetheless, we are deploying all resources to ensure stability, security, and resilience in our Member States”.
Similarly, they are deploying the necessary electoral assistance to member states going for elections soon; the legislative elections in Guinea Bissau and the Presidential elections in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
As they recently sent fact-finding missions to examine the state of preparations for the elections in the two countries. Based on the outcome of this Mission, ECOWAS will provide its traditional support for the organisation of the next elections.
On the economic front, he noted that despite inflationary pressures due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the economies of the region are resilient and continue to post growth rates (3.1% according to the World Bank) with good prospects in general.
However, they are seriously concerned about the security situation prevailing in our region, with the persistence and resurgence of terrorist acts in the countries of the three-border line: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and north-eastern Nigeria. These acts have resulted in targeted attacks against both military personnel and civilians, resulting in numerous casualties, material damage and displacement. The novelty of these attacks is that they are spreading to coastal countries (Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire).
“Therefore, our region must adopt a multifaceted and coordinated approach and pool our resources to eradicate this scourge”, he added
President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, Justice Edward Amoako Asante has lamented over the inability of one hundred and six (106) of its judgment to be enforced my member states whiles another eleven (11) are outstanding against ECOWAS institutions at the opening of the 2023 first Ordinary Session in Abuja Nigeria.
According to him Parliament is the custodians of the peoples’ mandate within the West African democratic architecture, hence parliament will need to contribute its effort to ensure the survival of our democracy.
And in the spirit of deepening relations between their two institutions, the interest of the community will be better served if they work together to secure a significant improvement in the level of enforcement of the decisions of the Court because of the inherent benefits to the democratic journey.
The court has contributed immensely to the strengthening of some underpinnings of democracy such as respect for human rights and the protection of the freedom of expression by holding Member States accountable for their International Treaty obligations.
However, recent democratic reversals in the three Member States of Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali eloquently demonstrate the fragility of our cherished democracies across the region and the need for collective vigilance and coherent action in its protection.
He further noted that, the military coups in these three Member States and the tension that accompanies elections in Member States point to the need for the identification of the underlying issues that confront our democracy and the implementation of measures for securing it, which are mainly governance related as well as other issues in order to ensure that our democratic practice responds to the yearnings of our people.
Justice Edward Asante therefore noted that, it’s reassuring that female parliamentarians under the aegis of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) hosted a town hall meeting last week on how to Rejuvenate Democracy by giving voice to Women and Youth.
In addition, he pointed out that he understands that, the first Ordinary session of parliament will, among other things, be mainly devoted to the consideration of the report of the President of the Commission on the implementation of the Community Work Programme. “Considering the enhanced role of the parliament, I am confident that through the consideration of the report and the ensuing discussions, recommendations will emerge that will enhance the realization of the objectives of the Community”.
And hopes the current session of parliament will also propose measures that will contribute to improving the level of enforcement of the decisions of the Court through their joint efforts for the benefit of the region, particularly its citizens who see in the Community the ultimate platform for improving their lives through collective action.
The Member of Parliament of Akim Oda Constituency, Hon Alexander Akwasi Acquah on Friday met management and casual staffs of Akim Oda Government Hospital.
The meeting which was held at the Hospital’s conference room was to officially handover appointment letters of the first 20 beneficiaries out of the over 60 casual staff who had worked at the Hospital for more than a decade.
The Member of Parliament who led the mechanisation of the casual staffs informed management about another set to be completed as soon as possible. He reiterated that politics should be used to improve the lives of people who voted for you into office and not to milk like what was previously done.
He promised to finalise those who haven’t had theirs mechanised yet even if it takes him to kneel or lie on the ground to get them enrolled into the system.
The Medical superintendent of Akim Oda Government Hospital, thanked the Member of Parliament for his immense contribution to the hospital.
He added that, Hope has been restored to many who lost confidence in the system and believe that lives have been affected positively by the unflinching support and assistance the MP have towards his constituency.
He said in an interview that rather, “we need to create more jobs for our people; invest in the education sector. “If you stay in a country and the citizens feel like it is they verses us, it gives room for carious and deviant behavior”.
Again, terrorism is link to economics, and if people believe they cannot survive but the only way to survive is to cause havoc for them to live they have to do that which is wrong and we should face the reality.
And quickly posed a question, if ECOWAS had a taskforce would they have been able to go into Russia and prevent it from attacking Ukraine?
In an interview with the leader of the Liberian delegation Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr. on Friday, May 12, 2023 he noted that they are waiting for the Country report to be presented on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
“But I need to listen to their country report and relate it to the fact finding report, but now we are concerned Sierra Leone has not given their country report Saturday. They would give their report based on that we critic their report on the information we have”.
He further commended the relationship between ECOWAS Commission and Parliament to the extent that whiles the Parliament is facing challenges in using its premises, the Commission has given it the opportunity to use it premises.
According to him Winneba is very happy to receive the Community Parliament for the second time after it successively hosted a delocalized meeting and Extra Ordinary Session last year 2022.
Protocol on free movement of persons and goods 
Whiles, five out of the 17 parties that participated in the February 25, 2023, presidential elections challenged the victory of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) through petitions filed before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) sitting at the Court of Appeal, in Abuja.
In response to these security challenges, the Kaduna State government has pledged to intensify and sustain simultaneous ground and air kinetic actions across the seven frontline states of the Northwest region and Niger which have continuous and contiguous forest ranges and are most heavily impacted by this security challenge.
Furthermore many citizens were unable to travel for the elections, increasing the risk of low turnout and undermining the credibility of the outcome. Additionally, local printing of election materials and other sub-contracted services were affected by the cash shortages.
It is in this spirit that the said Protocol and the other Community texts that complement it, such as the Decision on the ECOWAS Passport and the biometric identity card, are implemented. Moreover, it should be noted that there are still barriers due to ignorance of the texts or to deliberate acts of illegal collection.
For the candidates, this involves garnering the sponsorship of 0.8% to 1% of the electorate, i.e. 52,000 signatures, spread over at least seven of the country’s 14 regions with a minimum of 2,000 per region.
And in the spirit of deepening relations between their two institutions, the interest of the community will be better served if they work together to secure a significant improvement in the level of enforcement of the decisions of the Court because of the inherent benefits to the democratic journey.
The Member of Parliament who led the mechanisation of the casual staffs informed management about another set to be completed as soon as possible. He reiterated that politics should be used to improve the lives of people who voted for you into office and not to milk like what was previously done.