ECOWAS @ 50: Regional Leaders Call For Collaboration Amidst Challenges
By Hajara Abdullahi
Regional leaders and policymakers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have called for more unity, collaboration and renewal of the regional bloc founding ideals amidst challenges related to politics and security bedevling the region as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Ambassador Abdel-Fatah Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security while speaking at Future Proofing Regional Integration in Africa: The African Public Square Debate in Abuja on Fridays, stated that the anniversary portrays a moment for “deep reflection, partnership and renewal”
Dr Omary Touray, who represented the ECOWAS Commission President, described the event as “a very important public square that promises to help shape ECOWAS’ future course” while applauding collaboration between the Amandla Institute, Africa Leadership Center and the Mandela Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement.
While speaking Musah, described the bloc’s early success as portrayed in its efforts aimed uniting diverse colonial and linguistic legacies in Francophone, Anglophone and Lusophone colonies into a single regional union. He also traced the bloc history to 1975 when it was founded by General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria, and Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo.
“West Africa finds itself at a very critical juncture in its evolution. We have a crisis of security and a crisis of democracy today. Democracy is in crisis, and it doesn’t seem like leaders have learned their lesson,” he said.
He reflected ECOWAS journey into three phases: its foundation during the Cold war, its response to post-Cold War civil conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Cote d’Ivoire and its current challenges in both security and democratic derailment.
Musah also spoke against what he calls a “hollowing out of competitiveness” in electoral politics, where governments suppress opposition through exclusionary
Today’s popular method of capture is by member states eliminating dangerous opponents, whether political parties or candidates from the electoral process.“That is one of the reasons some member states decided to leave ECOWAS,” the Commissioner noted.
He also described African youths as the driving force for change across the continent.
On his part. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Co-founder of the Amandla Institute and former Governor of Ekiti State in his remark, describes the debate as a timely and critical conversation on the shifting dynamics of change within ECOWAS, the deepening security and governance challenges in the subregion, and the future of regional integration in West Africa and Africa as a whole.
Fayemi lamented that ECOWAS risks becoming remote from the people of West Africa unless it undertook bold reforms to make the organisation more citizen-driven.
“It is evident that traditional military strategies alone are inadequate in tackling the complex threats posed by insurgent and terrorist groups,” he stated.
The former governor lamented that insecurity had increased in countries that witnessed military coups as a response to democracy failure.
“The regional body cannot continue business as usual. It must evolve to reflect the realities on the ground and to renew trust with its citizens.”
Also speaking, Prof. Funmi Olonisakin, Vice President for International, Engagement and Services at King’s College London, urged a reinvention of the West African integration project while arguing that regional cooperation needs to be redefined 50 years after establishment of ECOWAS.
The bloc established in 1975 has played a crucial role in defending democracy and promoting economic integration, free movement, and political cooperation among its 15 member states. However, military takeovers in countries like Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso, with some countries withdrawing from the regional alliance have threatened the bloc’s unity and strength as it celebrates the 50th anniversary.
