Senegalese President and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has called for a stronger role for the ECOWAS Parliament in advancing regional integration and strengthening citizens’ participation in Community affairs.
Faye made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during an official visit to the ECOWAS Parliament, where he was received by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mémounatou Ibrahima, and other senior officials of the regional legislature.
The Senegalese leader described the Parliament as a key platform for regional dialogue, saying its representative role was essential to strengthening institutional cooperation and ensuring that citizens remained connected to the integration process.
According to him, regional integration must go beyond institutional arrangements to include efforts that promote peace, prevent conflicts, support mediation and increase public awareness across West Africa.
Faye also reaffirmed his commitment to working with the Parliament and pledged his support for initiatives aimed at advancing the objectives of ECOWAS.
Welcoming the ECOWAS Chairman, Speaker Ibrahima said his presence in the parliamentary chamber marked an important moment for the institution.
She noted that Senegal’s tradition of dialogue, political participation and public debate aligned with the objectives of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The Speaker argued that regional integration should not be viewed solely as an undertaking of governments but as a process that must directly involve citizens.
She further reaffirmed the Parliament’s commitment to representative democracy, human rights, peace and security, while calling for continued efforts to strengthen its legislative and oversight responsibilities.
In his remarks, the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Jibrin Barau, said stronger engagement between the regional legislature and the Authority of Heads of State and Government would help improve coordination within the Community.
Barau thanked Faye for visiting the Parliament and said the engagement demonstrated the importance attached to dialogue among ECOWAS institutions.
He assured the ECOWAS Chairman of the Parliament’s cooperation during his tenure, noting that sustained interaction between the two institutions could help translate the aspirations of West African citizens into practical action.
Barau also said the visit would encourage ongoing discussions on strengthening the Parliament’s role and creating closer links between the institution and citizens across the region.
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