ABUJA, Nigeria — The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, has issued a stark warning that peace across West Africa is under threat, calling on regional leaders to address rising insecurity and economic hardship urgently.
Opening the first ordinary session of 2026 in Abuja on Monday, Ms. Ibrahima argued that regional stability must be “patiently built” through dialogue rather than assumed. Her remarks come as the bloc faces a perfect storm of terrorist activity, democratic retreats, and global inflationary pressures.
Democratic Fragility and Conflict
Ms. Ibrahima reaffirmed that democracy remains the “unshakeable foundation” of the regional community, yet she highlighted significant cracks in that foundation.
Specifically, she called for a return to constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau and condemned a series of terrorist attacks carried out in Mali on 25 April 2026. The speaker noted that these internal flashpoints are being compounded by international conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, which are driving up the cost of food and fuel across West Africa.
A ‘Critical Opportunity’ for Reform
The Parliament is looking toward the upcoming ECOWAS Future Summit in Lomé as a turning point for the regional bloc. Ms. Ibrahima urged colleagues to produce “bold resolutions” to accelerate the “Vision 2050” project, which aims to deepen regional integration.
Key priorities for the current session include:
- Technological Safeguards: Discussions on the impact and regulation of artificial intelligence within the region.
- Economic Empowerment: Harmonising tax policies and expanding export opportunities for women.
- Security Oversight: Addressing persistent threats from piracy, cross-border crime, and the effects of climate change.
Call for Unity
The Speaker concluded by stressing that no member state is immune to the multiplying “flashpoints” of instability. She urged the Parliament to act as a platform for accountability, ensuring that regional integration becomes “visible” to ordinary citizens through better social protection and employment initiatives.
“The task before us is immense,” she told the assembly, “but our determination is unwavering.”
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