News:
March 9, 2022
As at close of day Tuesday, March 8, 2022 adoption of work programme for the first in-person Extraordinary Session in Monrovia Liberia was in limbo.
Whiles a section of the Community lawmakers were pushing for its adoption, others were calling for the settlement of issues concerning their former colleagues from Guinea Conakry and Burkina Faso whose government had been suspend due to coups in those country but have been invited to the meeting.
Some of the MPs acknowledged that though they were new in the Community, they made a strong point of upholding the rules of procedure.
Some lawmakers were of the strong view that with the controversies that had characterized the adoption, there was the need for the administrative head of the Parliament Secretary General, Mr. John Azumah to brief them on what the laid down practice is and jurisprudent to back the issues to serve a base to make progress.
Fourth Deputy Speaker Adja Satu Camara Pinto from Guinea Bissau who was presiding over proceedings had it tough calming nerves as tempers really went up.
Mr. Abdoulaye Vilane pointed out that when there was a roll call and names of their former colleagues were mentioned, they responded and commended the Malians for not being at the Extraordinary Session. “Be it Guinea Conakry, Mali and Burkina Faso, they have been suspended”.
“Madam Speaker, let us ask our colleagues from Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso to withdraw until they are properly invited to the meeting”.
Those opposing the presence of their former colleagues pointed out that they do not have anything against their former colleagues; all they are asking is that the proper procedure should be used.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com/Liberia