Sierra Leone Heads ECOWAS Parliament

The position is rotational

By Sylvester Samba

The President of the Republic of Liberia, George Weah, has sent a letter of congratulations to the new Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Honorable Sidi Mohamed Tunis, the current Leader of Government Business representing the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in the Sierra Leone House of Parliament. Has on Monday 9th March 2020 elected and sworn in as Speaker of the regional Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament.

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President Weah (L); Honorable Sidi Mohamed Tunis (R): In his letter, President Weah convey heartfelt congratulations to Sidi Mohamed Tunis in his election and installation to the Honorable office of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament on his behalf and that of the peace-loving people of the Republic of Liberia.

President Weah once served as head of the Liberian delegation to the regional parliamentary block when he was a senator, expressed his confidence, and a hopefully proactive 5th Legislature, with much energy exerted at addressing the problems that characterize our states.

A Member of Parliament for Constituency 101 in the Southern Provincial district of Pujehun, Honorable Tunis was overwhelmingly elected to replace Senegalese Mustapha Cisse`LO as Speaker of the regional legislative council is expected to serve in that position until 2024.

The position is rotational. Togo will be in line to succeed Sierra Leone.

In his acceptance message, the Honourable Speaker called for partnership between members of the ECOWAS. He said he is overwhelmed with the support he enjoys from the Government of President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Tunis tenure comes at a time West African region is struggling with scores of different issues ranging from political, economic, and the threat from the coronavirus disease, which has reported in two member states; Nigeria and Senegal.

In a message from the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio sent to Members of the ECOWAS Parliament, he disclosed he knows the Speaker for several years, and he served in several leadership positions in his country. His wealth of knowledge he will bring to the table to make ECOWAS Parliament a better institution than it is currently.

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The election of Hon Tunis marks the first time that Sierra Leone is occupying the position of Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament since its establishment in 2002. The Speaker promised to assist the ECOWAS Commission in its integrated economic activities by providing the much-needed oversight in the areas of industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, agriculture, natural resources, commerce, youth empowerment, and monetary and financial issues.

The speaker continues in response stated he is mindful of Article 2 of the ECOWAS Protocol Relating to the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security adopted in Lomé 10th December 1999, and that he'll work with the Authority of Heads of State, Government, and the Council of Ministers to ensure our sub-region is safe, secure, and prosperous.

Peacekeepers from nations left their families, served, and in some instances, died protecting vulnerable populations of our community. The responsibility is ours to protect the peace we enjoy today and work tirelessly to bring to end instabilities in our region.