Guinea-Bissau President pledges support for election of ECOWAS MPs by direct universal suffrage
Adoba Echono, Abuja
The President of Guinea Bissau and current Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, Umaru Sissoco Embalo, has thrown his weight behind the election of Members of ECOWAS Parliament by direct universal suffrage.
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He also gave assurance to make ECOWAS a democratic region that is rid of any delusion of coups d’etat as well as introduce a community visa with a view to strengthening and improving free movement of persons and goods in the ECOWAS region.
President Embalo gave these assurances on Tuesday, in Bissau when Honourable Members of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources/ Infrastructure, Energy and Mines/ Industry and Private Sector of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) paid him a courtesy visit.
The delegation was headed by the 2nd Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Sani Malam Chaibou Boucary, representing the Speaker of the Community Parliament, Rt Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis.
During the discussions, President Embalo touched on the various aspects concerning the place of agriculture in the region. He reassured the Parliamentarians of his support for the ongoing process of enhancement of the powers of Parliament.
The head of the delegation promised to inform the Speaker of the Community Parliament of President Embalo’s commitment.
He also promised to put forward a recommendation that will enable the ad hoc Committee responsible for reflections on election of ECOWAS Parliamentarians by direct universal suffrage to pay a visit to Bissau.
