News:
November 26, 2025
Chairman of the ECOWAS caucus on the African Parliamentary Union (APU) Francis-Xavier Sosu has noted that despite the withdrawal of the three Sahel states (Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger), they are part of African Union (AU) at the same time APU.
According to him, some conversation is ongoing with the Sahel states on their return to the sub-regional bloc; and he is confident within a year they should come back to the bloc.
Mr. Francis Sosu in an interview pointed out that as a caucus it is part of their mandate and job, “we will use diplomacy through some bilateral arrangement so that we can get all of them back, because a united Africa is what we need to take advantage of the next industrial revolution, which I believe will take place in Africa; we have enough resources and young people”.
Again, over the years, we had issues over leadership, but we are determined as young people to change the narrative of Africa, so that Africa can rise again, he stated.
As to what the APU stands for, he noted that, they are not parliament in its proper sense but an association of African Parliamentarians and Speakers, and in the case of Ghana the second deputy leads the delegation.
In addition, as a caucus, he has a two-year mandate during which period they will look at the integration, free trade movement of goods and services as they are challenges confronting African people in their various regional blocs.
He affirmed that APU would get involved to change the narrative; “it’s going to be an active item on the agenda, we would preach regional integration and not only preach about it but advocate for it such that every country would know there is some benefit to be derived from regional integration”.
Mr. Sosu also believes it’s better Africa rises together than wanting to safeguard sovereignty and perish individually, emphasizing that over the years, Africa has tried several means to integrate but that has not materialized, and it is the reason why Africa has not become a major voice.
“When it comes to trade, it is because we are not properly integrated; when it comes to ourselves, the lack of trust that keeps our borders closed. And we are undertaking treaty obligations under the AU treaty, Lagos plan of action, AfCFTA treaty, yet we are not willing to harmonize our laws so that we can benefit from this integration.
He said the call for integration is not for fun; but they believe it would help Africa. He urged every African president, and parliament to be interested in legislation and advocacy that would help the continent to fully integrate for us to take the full benefit.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com