The ECOWAS Parliament has approved new Rules of Procedure that prevent members from making derogatory comments about fellow lawmakers and West African Heads of State. The changes were adopted during the First Ordinary Session of Parliament in Abuja on Thursday. Billay Tunkara, the Fourth Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the report, presented the updated guidelines. He explained that the amendments were designed to improve parliamentary transparency, accountability, and governance.
The revised rules also include measures for addressing absenteeism. Members who miss one-third of an ordinary session without valid reasons will face sanctions, including suspension of their sitting allowances. Additionally, the new rules call for gender and language balance in committee appointments and establish a formal dress code to maintain the dignity of the parliament. A quorum of at least 50 members is now required to begin a session.
To preserve impartiality, the Parliament’s Speaker will only participate in debates after temporarily handing over the chair to a Deputy Speaker. The revised rules aim to improve attendance, discipline, and the overall quality of discussions within the ECOWAS Parliament.
The ongoing 2025 First Ordinary Session of the regional parliament, which began on May 20, will continue until May 31. It marks the beginning of preparations for the ECOWAS Parliament’s 25th anniversary celebrations later in November, focused on promoting regional integration and cooperation.
