The official swearing-in ceremony for the new ECOWAS Parliamentarians was chaired by H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The event took place onThursday, 4 April 2024, at the Abuja International Conference Center in Nigeria.

The inaugural session was attended by Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Nigerian Senate, H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, H.E. Dr Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Right Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis, outgoing Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, and several other dignitaries.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu stated his readiness to support a proposal for the direct election of members of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States. “This principle is also in line with the spirit of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and we believe this would ensure that citizens have a direct say in their representation and the legitimacy and credibility such a process will confer,” the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government said.

Addressing the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, noted that the inauguration of the 6th Legislature attests to the entrenchment of democracy in West Africa. “Despite recent challenges, our Community remained determined to pursue democracy and good governance. It is for this reason that the ECOWAS Heads of State instructed at their last session that the people’s representatives should continue to play their role in the ECOWAS Parliament, even when unconstitutional changes of government occur in their home countries.” he said.

“Over the years, the ECOWAS Parliament has intensified its efforts to ensure that the aspirations of ECOWAS citizens are taken into account in the integration process. At this stage in the history of our Community, we are faced with the challenges of unity, security, good governance, and development. The task before us, and the 6th Legislature, is to work towards restoring unity in our Community, promoting security cooperation, and advancing good governance and development. The citizens of the Community aspire to improved security and living conditions,” Dr Touray added.

A total of 92 Parliamentarians took the oath of office before the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Community institution for a four (4) year term under the 6th Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have not yet sent any Parliamentarians to represent them in this sixth Legislature.

It should be recalled that the ECOWAS Parliament is an institution born of the determination of all ECOWAS Member States to work together to achieve regional integration.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mr. Sylvestre Radegonde, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, will represent the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, at the 30th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The National Commemoration Ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 7th April 2024, will commence with a wreath laying ceremony at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

The Rwandan genocide, also known as the genocide against the Tutsi, occurred during 100 days, between 7 April to 15 July 1994 when over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio have joined family members, well-wishers, and residents of Bonthe District to pay their last respects to the home calling of, the late Mr. Mark Moses Oladipo Simeon Bio, the elder brother of the President.

The funeral mass at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tihun, for Brother Simeon Bio, aged 77, was officiated by Reverend Fr. Samuel Von Tucker. He called the procession to order and directed the mass for the funeral.

The man of God, while delivering his message of homily, reminded the mourners of the death of Jesus Christ on a Good Friday and His resurrection, pointing out that the Bio family was in the town weeks earlier to mourn the death of their sister and mother figure, Mrs. Agnes Deen-Jalloh (Nee Bio). He called on the younger generation of the Bios to take over the responsibility of their family.

The first reading was taken from the book of Maccabees 12:43–45 by Mr. James Bio; the second reading was taken from the book of Romans 14:7–12 and was done by Ambassador Dr. Francess V. Anderson; and the gospel reading was taken from the book of John 14:1–6.

While giving tributes on behalf of all the children, Mr. Charlie Mark Bio said he was privileged to pay homage to his late father, born in August 1946 to the first daughter of the late Paramount Chief Charlie Kakpindi Bio. He said the late man started his education in Tihun and later became a sanitary inspector in the Bonthe district.

“The late man loved the family and was a father. Even with the large family, he was able to keep them together and teach them to love one another. My father showed me to believe that the Bio family is one big, wonderful family that always needs to be together and in peace. I pray that God continues to embrace his gentle soul and the souls of all the faithful departed. Rest in peace,” he concluded.

Mr. Bio extended their gratitude to His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, for keeping their family together and for embracing every family member. He noted that they were grateful to President Bio for taking care of their family and for transforming and bringing peace into their family.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, will pay a visit to Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya from April 7-12, 2024. He will be accompanied by AS(E&SA), Shri Puneet R. Kundal.

2. In Rwanda, Secretary (ER) will represent the Government of India, in the event marking the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide (Kwibuka 30) on 7th April 2024. During the visit, he is also expected to hold meetings with Ministers and senior officials of the Government of Rwanda.

3. ​Secretary (ER) will thereafter travel to Uganda from 08-09 April 2024, leading a 35 member multi sectoral business delegation that aims to increase trade and commercial ties between the two countries. He will also meet with Ministers and officials of the Ugandan Government besides chairing a business session comprising captains of Indian and Ugandan industry. He is also expected to interact with the Indian community in Uganda.

4. ​Secretary (ER) will then travel to Kenya heading a large delegation comprising officials from Ministry of Agriculture, Indian agricultural companies and business chambers from 10-12 April 2024. This visit will be in fulfilment of the decision taken in the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President of Kenya, during his visit to India in December 2023. The delegation will interalia explore the possibility of agricultural farming in Kenya. Secretary (ER) will also be chairing a business session comprising Indian and Kenyan companies besides having meetings with Ministers and officials of the Government of Kenya. He will also be meeting with members of the Indian community in Kenya.

5.​ The visit by Secretary (ER) is a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to further strengthen its ties of friendship with Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya and to maintain the momentum of high level contacts between India and countries in Africa, post the entry of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G-20 during the Indian Presidency.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.