13/07/2026
Opening Statement by Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr. at the Oxford African Governance Forum.
Public Lecture at the University of Oxford
"Strengthening Regional Democracy: The ECOWAS Parliament and the Future of Constitutional Governance in West Africa"
Green Templeton College, University of Oxford
13 July 2026
Distinguished Fellows and Scholars of the University of Oxford,
Esteemed Students,
Colleagues from the Oxford African Governance Forum,
The Centre for African Policy, African Rebirth,
Members of the Green Templeton College Graduate Common Room,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good evening.
I bring you greetings from the President Pro-tempore and my very esteemed colleagues of the Liberian Senate, as well as the Honorable Speaker and my equally esteemed colleagues of the ECOWAS Parliament.
It is both a privilege and an honor to address you today at one of the world's most respected centers of learning and intellectual exchange. I extend my sincere appreciation to Green Templeton College and the organizers of this distinguished event for providing a platform to discuss an issue that is central not only to the future of West Africa but also to the broader global pursuit of democratic governance, peace, and stability.
I come before you today wearing two caps; first as Senator of the Republic of Liberia, with over 20 years of legislative experience, and as a Member of the ECOWAS Parliament for the past 11 years and currently Chair of the Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and the African Peer Review Mechanism, a position I have held for nearly seven years.
In that capacity, I have had the opportunity to engage directly with some of the most pressing governance and security challenges confronting our region—from fact-finding to election observation missions in all ECOWAS Member States excluding my native land, Liberia. I have also headed mediation and parliamentary diplomacy initiatives aimed at preserving constitutional order and strengthening democratic institutions in ten ECOWAS Member States.
Consequently, we can speak today with sufficient evidence that democracy in West Africa is at a crossroads.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the last three decades, West Africa has recorded significant democratic gains. Sadly, recent military coups and constitutional crises remind us that democratic consolidation remains fragile.
The challenge before us is no longer simply conducting elections but building resilient institutions capable of protecting constitutional governance and sustaining public trust.
The persistent challenge of military coups between 1960 and 2025 has left West Africa experiencing numerous military interventions, including coups and attempted coups. The recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Guinea-Bissau demonstrate that insecurity, poor governance, the unconstitutional extension of presidential terms, economic hardship, and declining confidence in civilian leadership continue to threaten democratic stability.
Some countries have experienced repeated military takeovers, highlighting enduring institutional weaknesses.
And that brings us to the issue of strong democratic norms but weak enforcement.
It is very important to note that the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance remains one of Africa's strongest legal instruments against unconstitutional changes of government. Yet the experiences of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger and Guinea-Bissau reveal a gap between our democratic commitments and our ability to enforce them effectively.
So here comes the unique role of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The ECOWAS Parliament serves as the democratic voice of the peoples of West Africa. Through parliamentary diplomacy, election observation, dialogue, mediation, and advocacy, it promotes democratic norms and constitutional governance throughout the region. While its influence is largely persuasive, it remains an indispensable pillar of regional legitimacy and democratic accountability.
Our regional experiences provide valuable lessons. In The Gambia, regional solidarity helped defend electoral legitimacy. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, we sustained regional engagement and supported post-conflict democratic reconstruction.
However, in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, the recent coups exposed the limitations of existing enforcement mechanisms. These examples demonstrate that democracy requires both national commitment and strong regional support.
Therefore, if we are serious about protecting constitutional governance, the ECOWAS Parliament must evolve beyond a purely consultative body. We should consider enhanced oversight powers, stronger collaboration with national parliaments, assemblies and legislative bodies, increased citizen engagement, and a more structured role in monitoring democratic governance across the region.
Military coups are often symptoms of deeper governance challenges—insecurity, youth unemployment, corruption, weak institutions, and declining public trust. Defending democracy therefore requires not only constitutional safeguards but also governments that deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.
Let me now close my opening remarks by emphasizing that the future of constitutional governance in West Africa cannot rest solely on national institutions. Strong regional institutions, active parliaments, citizen participation, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles are essential.
Strengthening the ECOWAS Parliament is not merely an institutional reform; it is an investment in peace, stability, accountability, and the democratic future of West Africa, and so I encourage you today to partner with us in achieving that.
Thank you, and may our deliberations this evening contribute meaningfully to strengthening democracy and constitutional governance in West Africa and beyond.
