Parliamentarians for Banjul South, Niamina Dankunku, and Kombo South have written a letter to the National Assembly, expressing concern over their alleged “unlawful” removal from the ECOWAS Parliament, the Standard Newspaper has revealed. They have demanded the resignation or impeachment of the Clerk, Modou Ceesay, and the Director of Communications, Gibairou Janneh, if they are found to be at fault or misleading the public.

The Standard Newspaper has revealed that the three National Assembly members (NAMs), Fatumatta Njai, Samba Jallow, and Kebba K Barrow, were reportedly removed from the ECOWAS Parliament without due process. It is alleged that Touma Njai was replaced by nominated member Maimuna Ceesay.

In their letter to the Assembly, the NAMs highlighted that the list of committees, including the ECOWAS Parliament committees, was approved by the plenary during the first session of the National Assembly in April 2022. They stated that any attempt to amend this approved list must be presented back to the plenary for approval, as per the normal procedure. They emphasized that any amendment to the approved list without following due process would be deemed illegal and unlawful.

The NAMs also pointed out that the Committee of Selection, responsible for such matters, failed to report to the plenary for approval, which they claimed renders any decision taken by the committee as illegal or incorrect. They argued that they are still considered the rightful members of the ECOWAS Parliament based on the approved list from 2022 to 2027.

Furthermore, the NAMs criticized the Director of Communications for allegedly stating to the media that there is currently no ECOWAS Parliament, which they deemed misleading. They requested the Clerk of the National Assembly to provide them with the Hansard of the relevant meetings and the minutes of the Committee of Selection, indicating that if any staff or members are found to be manipulating decisions, sanctions prescribed by the rules of procedures and the constitution shall be applied, and if necessary, they shall demand the resignations of both the clerk and the director of communication.

The letter was signed by NAM Touma Njai on behalf of her colleagues.