Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria – On the eve of the 66th Conference of ECOWAS Heads of State, civil society organizations from Nigeria and across West Africa came together to release a joint press statement appealing to the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State to enhance their efforts in implementing significant democratic reforms in the sub-region.
The statement, endorsed by the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS), Tournons la Page (TLP), AFRIKAJOM CENTER, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), and various other civil society groups, underscores the importance of the upcoming conference for advancing governance, stability, and regional integration.
Participants met in Abuja on Friday, December 13, 2024, to discuss the pressing democratic challenges faced by the region, and to put forward a series of recommendations that would revitalize the ECOWAS community’s commitment to democratic principles. The statement emphasizes the need for ECOWAS to fulfill its role as a guarantor of stability and good governance by ensuring the standardization of presidential term limits across member states and enhancing citizen participation in political processes.
In addition to addressing critical issues related to democracy and governance, the statement draws attention to several pressing concerns:
1. Calls on ECOWAS Heads of State to adopt a provision that limits presidential terms as a means of consolidating constitutional convergence and democracy in the region.
2. Encourages continued dialogue and negotiations with sister countries within the African Economic Space (AES) to implement reforms that promote stability, growth, and cooperation among member nations.
3. Advocates for urgent and structural reforms aimed at strengthening the prerogative of the ECOWAS Commission and Parliament.
4. Highlights the importance of ensuring the quality of electoral processes to guarantee democratic access to power and political alternation.
5. Stresses the need to improve citizen participation in decision-making and political processes across the sub-region.
Read full document here: https://wademosnetwork.org/2024/12/coalition-of-civil-society-organizations-urges-the-authority-of-ecowas-heads-of-state-to-be-more-diligent-in-implementing-reforms-including-the-standardization-of-term-limits/
As the 66th Conference of Heads of State and Government approaches, civil society organizations remain resolute in their commitment to promoting the shared democratic values that underpin the ECOWAS community. The conference presents a unique opportunity for member states to demonstrate their dedication to fostering stability, good governance, and respect for human rights, ensuring a more inclusive and prosperous future for West Africa.
Website: https://wademosnetwork.org/
