By Abdullahi Mohammed
ECOWAS,the West African sub regional body must rise above human and administrative barriers to ensure a “borderless” region, civil society organization,WACSOF has suggested.
At a briefing to mark the sub regional body’s 40th anniversary, WACSOF noted that though it’s true “ECOWAS vision 2020 intends to create a borderless, peaceful, prosperous and cohesive region built on good governance, however, there is need to redouble efforts in integrating the sub-region which has been its main aim since inception but it still remains a huge task.”
Addressing journalists on Thursday, Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani),acting General Secretary of WACSOF said “Despite the fact that the ECOWAS protocol on freedom of movement has been officially implemented, the reality presents a different case of human and administrative barriers including bribery and extortion at the border post, lack of adequate coordination between countries, poor state of infrastructure at border posts, and lack of training of personnel.
“This problem extends to areas of trade where the terms of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) and ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) are not complied with by member states. In its 40years of existence, it is expected that this problem would have been resolved. We therefore call on the ECOWAS to do the needful in ensuring that heads of states create enabling environment for freedom of movement, free trade and transportation facilities.
He said “Lack of power is another great challenge in the sub-region which needs urgent attention as it largely hampers on investments and the development of the economy. ECOWAS should fast track the implantation of critical infrastructure to enhance power supply, especially the West African gas pipeline. They should also ensure that member states commit to promoting alternative and renewable energy source which will further enhance power supply.
WACSOF also called “on the ECOWAS Parliament to base its membership in election instead of selection as this will make the parliament more transparent and accountable. The Parliament should be empowered to legislate rather than only serving as an advisory arm. We also call for the strengthening of the ECOWAS Court of justice which has passed many judgements but lacked compliance by member states. This makes the court to appear inactive. We urge all member states to respect and obey the court’s orders and judgements.
Also,WACSOF in its statement to mark the event said it has served as the pivot for networking between and among CSOs on the one hand, and between CSOs and the ECOWAS on the other hand.
“In its bid to deepen its role in ECOWAS programing efforts, WACSOF is currently finalising a strategic plan from 2015-2019. We are also presently in consultation with the relevant units and departments within ECOWAS towards evolving a more structured and practicable frame work for effective civil society engagement across the sub-region. We will continue to effectively carry out our mandate towards a better West Africa.
WACSOF as the umbrella body of CSOs is saddled with the responsibility to serve as a catalyst between CSOs in West Africa and the ECOWAS towards deepening regional integration and fostering stability and development in West Africa. Since its establishment, WACSOF has served as an umbrella for CSOs seeking to partner with the ECOWAS, promoting a system of dialogue and discussion, encouraging the sharing of ideas and perspectives and facilitating the building of collaborative relationships and linkages to ensure quality inputs of the civil society in to the agenda of ECOWAS, hence this press briefing today as ECOWAS marks 40years of existence.
“The importance and relevance of the ECOWAS within the sub-region cannot be overemphasised, as it has served greatly in ensuring effective collaboration, unity, development and economic progress across West Africa.
The statement equally signed by Nathalie Kone Traore,President, WACSOF Executive Committee noted further that “ECOWAS has been very active since its inception till date and has set a great standard. Although ECOWAS was set up with the objective of enhancing regional economic integration, but socio-political challenges necessitated its focus on promoting peace, security and good governance in West Africa, where it has equally achieved enviably great. Having achieved so much, today ECOWAS is still looking forward to doing more through its innovative vision 2020 which seeks to move from ECOWAS of the state to ECOWAS of the people.
“ECOWAS Vision among others is to promote Regional Resource Development, where we can have an inclusive society achieved through human capital development and empowerment, offering a peaceful and healthy environment where women, children and youths thrive to have equal opportunity to excel and have equitable access to resources for human and social development.
“It also encourages peace and security that will ensure the realization of a secured West Africa, devoid of conflicts, whose leaders and citizens place a high premium on peace and collective regional security, operational security system that will effectively combat illegal arms and drugs; a single unified regional market with a common currency supported by an integrated and efficient financial market and payment settlement system, where trade and commerce are conducted efficiently with ease.
“ECOWAS also envisions a unified region that is integrated into the continental and global economic space and governed using the principles of good political and economic governance, transparency and accountability in the use of public resources and where fundamental human rights are protected and respected.
“Another aim is to establish a West Africa with a conducive policy environment in which the private sector will be the primary engine of growth and development; an integrated regional production base developed by competitive private sector activities which provide production and distribution levers for deeper regional integration and development, supported by an efficient ECOWAS business body that promotes strong public-private partnerships for generating wealth to sustain the development and prosperity of the region.
WACSOF also expressed its great “interest in the ongoing reform/amendment of the protocol on democracy and good governance, of which its success will benefit the entire sub-region. ECOWAS should ensure that the protocol captures and properly addresses the issue of the two-term tenure limit which must be abided by all member states. The civil society needs be extensively involved in this process, especially through WACSOF which serves as the civil society hub in the region to ensure accountability and transparency.”
“We use this opportunity to once more urge leaders of West African countries to come to terms with the two-term tenure limit being proposed by the ECOWAS”,the group said.
