Embedded Files
What is ECOWAS?
What does ECOWAS have exactly to do with the coup d'etat in Niger and what is their plan?
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), also known as CEDEAO in French and Portuguese, is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. These countries collectively cover an area of 5,114,162 km² (1,974,589 sq mi), and in 2019 had an estimated population of over 387 million.
ECOWAS was established on May 28, 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos, with its stated mission to promote economic integration across the region1. A revised version of the treaty was agreed and signed on July 24, 19931. The fundamental principles of ECOWAS rely on equity, inter-dependence, solidarity, cooperation, nonaggression, regional peace, promotion of human rights, and economic and social justice.
The union aims to achieve “collective self-sufficiency” for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc, building a full economic and trading union, and raising living standards and promoting economic development. ECOWAS also serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc’s member countries at times of political instability and unrest.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been involved in several instances of political instability in the region, including coup d’etats. One of the most recent examples is the military coup in Niger in July 2023.
On July 26, soldiers detained Niger’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, at his home in the capital Niamey and installed a military junta. This was the eighth coup in West Africa in three years, and it was shortly followed by a ninth, farther south, in Gabon.
Under the leadership of Nigeria, ECOWAS led a combative response against the coup makers in Niamey, threatening to use military force to restore constitutional order in the country, with the backing of Senegal, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Benin. In response, the junta warned it was determined to defend its country. Meanwhile, Mali and Burkina Faso, which had been suspended from the bloc after their militaries had themselves taken power in coups, indicated they would rally their forces to defend junta-led Niger.
However, the situation in Niger has been complicated by a number of factors. First, the increasing popularity of the putschists in the country is a cause for concern. The growth of protests in support of the coup is an indication of a wider acceptance than previously envisaged. Second, Niger shares a border with seven countries in the region, four of which are members of ECOWAS. Of those four, Mali and Burkina Faso have been suspended due to similar coups d’etat. Both countries have threatened to support Niger if ECOWAS tries to use force. The remaining two countries in the bloc bordering Niger are Nigeria and Benin. Outside ECOWAS, Chad and Algeria have both ruled out participating in any military action and Libya has its own challenges.
The likelihood of a military intervention further diminished when Nigerian legislators rejected the idea. They argued for the use of “other means” than force. Nigeria is the largest country in the ECOWAS bloc and principal financier of the bloc. It will be difficult for ECOWAS to carry out military intervention without the full support of Nigeria.
As a result, the unwillingness of Nigeria’s politicians to support military intervention, coupled with growing local support for the junta in Niger, will make the use of force almost impossible. This leaves ECOWAS with little or no option than to pursue a diplomatic resolution.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse