The Head of Sierra Leone’s Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, who also serves as the Deputy Chief Whip I of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, formally tabled the Report of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament before the House for consideration.
Presenting the report, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay informed the House that, in accordance with Standing Order 18(6) of the Revised Standing Orders of Parliament, 2006, she was laying on the Table of the House the report of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, which was held from 4th to 17th May 2026 in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She further stated that, pursuant to Standing Order 18(7), she wished to provide Honourable Members with a brief explanatory statement on the contents of the report.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay explained that, in line with Article 27(2) of Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/16, the ECOWAS Parliament convened its First Ordinary Session of 2026 in Abuja to deliberate on critical issues affecting the West African sub-region. She noted that the regional Parliament holds two Ordinary Sessions annually to fulfil its statutory mandate of promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peace, security, and sustainable development across ECOWAS Member States.
She emphasized that the sessions provide an important platform for regional legislators to conduct legislative oversight, provide policy advice to ECOWAS institutions, respond to emerging regional challenges, and strengthen engagement with civil society and other stakeholders in advancing the objectives of the Community.
The Head of Delegation informed Parliament that the 2026 First Ordinary Session deliberated extensively on a number of strategic regional issues, including country reports on the political and environmental situations in Member States, as well as the implementation status of Community texts and development projects.
The session also considered the Report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission on the implementation of the Community Work Programme, reflecting progress made by the Commission in executing its regional development agenda.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay further disclosed that Members debated measures aimed at advancing gender equality, increasing women’s political participation, and promoting the empowerment of women and girls through the ECOFEPA Programme.
The regional Parliament also reviewed the outcome of regional consultations held in preparation for the Special Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa, with discussions focusing on strengthening cooperation among Member States in the face of emerging political, economic, and security challenges.
In addition, Members deliberated on strategies to combat illicit financial flows and enhance domestic resource mobilization across the region. The session equally examined proposals for the drafting of a uniform ECOWAS law on Artificial Intelligence, underscoring the Community’s commitment to embracing technological innovation while developing a harmonised legal framework to regulate the sector.
The report further highlighted discussions on the Draft Additional Act on the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), aimed at strengthening citizen participation and enhancing the role of civil society in the regional integration process.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay also informed the House that the ECOWAS Parliament expressed grave concern over the killing of West African citizens in the Sahel and the continued xenophobic attacks against ECOWAS citizens and other Africans in South Africa. She noted that Members strongly condemned these acts of violence and called for enhanced regional cooperation to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of all African citizens.
Concluding her presentation, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay formally laid the report before Parliament for consideration and thanked the Speaker and Honourable Members for their attention.
The tabling of the report reflects Sierra Leone Parliament’s continued commitment to parliamentary diplomacy, regional cooperation, and ensuring that the resolutions and deliberations of the ECOWAS Parliament are brought before the national legislature for consideration and possible implementation in support of regional integration and sustainable development across West Africa.