Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina calls for an ECOWAS standby force

HON. SAA EMERSON LAMINA CALLS FOR AN ECOWAS STANDBY FORCE

Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina a member of the ECOWAS Parliament from the Republic of Sierra Leone has put a strong case to call for the establishment of a  ECOWAS Standby Force to "defend, protect and preserve democracy" in states along the coast of West Africa whose volatility in obstructing the course of democracy are high."

Hon. Lamina was speaking at the Plenary of the 5th Legislative Assembly of the 2023 Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His strong assertion came at a time the Commission had issued a press release, strongly condemning "with disgust a plot by certain individuals to acquire arms and disturb the peace and constitutional order in Sierra Leone."

According to Hon. Lamina, certain states of the ECOWAS Commission are "too volatile to be left alone and not safeguarded" pointing out that "the volatility of these states have the proclivities to undermine the democratic credentials and the peaceful co-existential character of the subregion.

"A Standby Force therefore, will not just be a deterrent mechanism but a surreal mechanism to stand against such undermining forces whenever and wherever they poke their heads," the young erudite Legislator opined.

Hon. Lamina went on to disapprove the myth around the notion that the attempted failed military coup or violent actions of the assailants was powerful show of gross discontent because according to him, the patriotic citizens of Freetown glaringly snubbed their call to join them on that fateful Sunday, 26th November, 2023. 

Hon. Lamina outlined Sierra Leone's brief history since Independence in 1961 noting that it has been marred by coups and counter coups, a 11-year senseless war orchestrated by the RUF rebel outfit with support from neighbouring Liberia and the  Ebola and COVID-19 disease outbreaks. He maintained that under President Dr. Julius Maada Bio the country's fragility had transformed into a formidable beacon of democracy and an attendant amplification of good governance.

He explained that under President Bio the Parliament of Sierra Leone has ratified over 84 new legislations, repealed and or replaced laws including the famous GEWE Act of 2022 which is first in ECOWAS sub region. 

Hon. Lamina asserted without mincing his words that the military is constitutionally and conventionally supposed to be professional and to be strictly under the control of a civilian government to ensure a stable democracy. He emphasized that the military should defend the constitution and the political independence of a state and ensure the protection of its territorial integrity and dignity. 

Even though Hon. Lamina opined that it will be earlier for any finger pointing to the main opposition in Sierra Leone, he however expressed shock to have seen close allies of opposition leaders who were once seen in party regalia to be alleged as being part of the Sunday November 26th ugly scenario. 

Hon. Lamina recommended a proactive standby force to be deployed in volatile countries within the community; urged ECOWAS commission to emphasize the practice of statesmanship especially of former Presidents and former Ministers of Government.

He also recalled that, it is high time Opposition Parties and the Military know that ballot is the way to change a government and not by bombs and bullets. Democracy he maintains should be deepened with consistent elections and electoral processes in the general interest of the citizens.

He concluded by thanking the President of ECOWAS Commission and the Speaker of ECOWAS for the opportunity to speak.

@ Fiama Yombo

Dundukor Meimewa

Abuja, Nigeria 🇳🇬.