Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, Majority Leader of the National Assembly of The Gambia and Fourth Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, delivered a statement on behalf of the ECOWAS delegation at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from 5th to 9th April 2025.
Speaking under the Assembly’s theme, “Parliamentary Action for Social Development and Social Justice,” Hon. Tunkara reaffirmed the region’s commitment to a just and equitable global order. He acknowledged the significant challenges faced by West Africa, including poverty, youth unemployment, limited access to education and healthcare, and climate change, all of which are exacerbated by terrorism and political instability in some ECOWAS member states.
He urged the Assembly to reaffirm its resolve in making parliaments drivers of social transformation, stating, “Peace is not an option; it is an indispensable pillar of justice and a fundamental prerequisite for humanity’s future.”
“Social justice cannot be dissociated from citizen participation,” he noted, highlighting efforts within ECOWAS to institutionalise engagement with civil society and grassroots actors in shaping policy.
He further called for enhanced inter-parliamentary cooperation, stronger global partnerships, and a renewed commitment to peace, especially in light of ongoing conflicts in the Sahel, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Middle East.
ECOWAS Parliament Ecowas – Cedeao
