REPORT BY: KWEKU BOLTON
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been a cornerstone of peace and security efforts in West Africa since its inception in 1975. With a mandate to promote economic integration and cooperation among member states, ECOWAS has undertaken significant initiatives to address conflicts and maintain stability. This comprehensive report critically analyses ECOWAS’s contributions to peace and security.
The international relations and security analyst, Dr William Kofi Ahadzie, emphasised the significant roles played by the Air Force community and ECOWAS in maintaining regional stability. He noted in an interview that “the Treaty of Lagos, initially adopted, was revised in 1993 to prioritise peace, security, stability, and governance. Its primary objective was to prevent the instability that plagued the region during the 1960s. As part of these efforts, ECOWAS introduced protocols such as the ‘Protocol of Non-Aggression’ and established mechanisms like ‘ECOFORCE’ (a regional defence monitoring body) to ensure peace and prevent interstate conflicts and aggression.”
On security, Dr Ahadzie highlighted that ECOWAS has established protocols for collective defence under the “Allied Armed Forces of the Community.” Similar to NATO, these mechanisms are designed to support member states under attack and focus on resolving conflicts within the region effectively.
Achievements of ECOWAS in Promoting Peace and Security
ECOMOG Interventions: The establishment of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) marked a significant milestone in ECOWAS’s peacekeeping efforts. ECOMOG’s interventions in Liberia (1989-2003), Sierra Leone (1991-2002), and Côte d’Ivoire (2002-2007) were pivotal in stabilising these countries during periods of intense conflict. These missions, although fraught with challenges, successfully facilitated transitions to UN peacekeeping operations. ECOWAS also intervened in Guinea-Bissau during the armed rebellion in 1998-1999 and after the coup in 2012. In The Gambia, in 2017, it intervened when outgoing president Yahya Jammeh, who had lost the elections, refused to step down.
ECOWAS: Resolving Political Tension and Conflict in West Africa
According to the World Mediation Organization, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been instrumental in addressing political tensions and conflicts and intervened in multiple conflict zones in the West African region, including Liberia (1989-2003), Sierra Leone (1991-2002), Côte d’Ivoire (2002-2007), Guinea (2007-2010), and Guinea-Bissau (1998-present). Each intervention aimed to stabilise the affected country, restore order, and facilitate post-conflict reconstruction. The conflicts in these countries resulted in significant casualties and displacement. ECOMOG’s intervention played a crucial role in reducing violence and protecting civilians.
Data and Statistics
To provide a more in-depth analysis, let’s look at some data and statistics related to ECOWAS’ conflict resolution efforts:
• Liberia: According Cambridge University Press Assessment, the civil war in Liberia lasted from 1989 to 2003, resulting in approximately 250,000 deaths and displacing over 1 million people. ECOMOG’s intervention in Liberia helped to stabilise the country and facilitate the peace process.
• Sierra Leone: The civil war in Sierra Leone lasted from 1991 to 2002, resulting in approximately 50,000 deaths and displacing over 2 million people. ECOMOG played a crucial role in ending the conflict and supporting the peace process.
• Côte d’Ivoire: The political crisis in Côte d’Ivoire from 2002 to 2007 resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced over 700,000 people. ECOWAS’ mediation efforts helped to resolve the crisis and restore stability.
• Guinea-Bissau: The political crisis in Guinea-Bissau has been ongoing since 1998, with multiple coups and political instability. ECOWAS has been actively involved in mediating the crisis and supporting the peace process.
Reinforced Peace and Security Initiatives
ECOWAS has strengthened its peace and security architecture through the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) project. This project aimed to prevent and manage conflicts, and it enhanced cooperation between ECOWAS institutions, member states, and civil society organizations. For instance, in 2020, ECOWAS deployed a fact-finding mission to Mali to assess the security situation and provide recommendations for stabilising the country. This effort helped to reduce tensions and paved the way for a peaceful resolution. Dr Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, said, “The EPSAO project has been instrumental in enhancing our capacity to respond to security challenges in the region. We are committed to continuing our efforts to promote peace and stability in West Africa.”
Relations with the Sahel Countries: Relations between ECOWAS and the Sahel countries have been tense since the military seized power in Niger in 2023, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Mali in 2020. After the Niger coup, ECOWAS imposed crippling sanctions on the country, including border closures, a no-fly zone for all commercial flights, and the freezing of central bank assets. ECOWAS also threatened to deploy its forces to Niger to restore democratic rule. Following their suspension by ECOWAS, the three states decided to withdraw from ECOWAS. The departure of the three countries was peaceful without any conflict. While ECOWAS works out the terms of its future relationship with the three countries, it continues to recognize all passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo held by citizens from Mali.
Conflict Resolution and Mediation: ECOWAS has actively mediated disputes among member states, contributing to the resolution of conflicts in Guinea (2007-2010) and Guinea-Bissau (1998-present). These mediation efforts have helped prevent the escalation of violence and fostered dialogue among conflicting parties.
Peacekeeping Missions: ECOWAS has conducted numerous peacekeeping missions, supported by member states, the African Union, and the United Nations. These missions have been instrumental in restoring peace and security in conflict-affected areas, protecting civilians, and rebuilding state institutions.
Financial Contributions: Reports indicate that Nigeria has been the primary financial contributor to ECOWAS peacekeeping missions, providing troops and resources. However, this dominant role has been a source of tension among member states, with some perceiving Nigeria’s involvement as hegemonic
Critical Analysis
Successes: ECOWAS’s peacekeeping missions have largely succeeded in stabilising conflict zones and facilitating transitions to UN operations. These interventions have saved lives, protected civilians, and contributed to rebuilding state institutions. Moreover, ECOWAS’s mediation efforts have prevented the escalation of violence in several instances, promoting dialogue and reconciliation.
Challenges: Despite its successes, ECOWAS has faced numerous challenges in promoting peace and security. These include logistical constraints, limited financial resources, and varying levels of commitment among member states. The rise of terrorist groups such as Boko Haram in the Sahel region has posed a significant threat to regional security. Additionally, discrepancies between Anglophone and Francophone countries have sometimes hindered the effectiveness of ECOWAS peacekeeping missions. The dominant role of Nigeria has also been a source of contention, leading to perceptions of regional hegemony. The success of ECOWAS’ interventions often depends on the political will of its member states. In some cases, member states have been reluctant to support ECOWAS’ initiatives or have pursued their own interests, undermining the organization’s efforts.
Lessons Learnt: ECOWAS has learnt valuable lessons from its peacekeeping and mediation efforts. These include the importance of timely intervention, the need for sustained financial and logistical support, and the necessity of fostering collaboration among member states. ECOWAS has also recognized the need to address the root causes of conflicts, such as poverty, inequality, and governance issues.
Member States Cooperation: The cooperation of member states is crucial for the success of ECOWAS peacekeeping missions. Discrepancies between Anglophone and Francophone countries have sometimes hindered the effectiveness of these missions.
Recommendations
- Collaborate with member states, the African Union, and the United Nations: Share resources and best practices to improve peacekeeping missions.
- Invest in Training, Equipment, and Support for ECOWAS Peacekeeping Forces: Ensure swift and effective conflict response.
- Implement Development Initiatives: Tackle poverty, inequality, and governance issues for sustainable peace and security.
- Prioritise dialogue, trust-building, and reconciliation: Prevent conflict escalation and enhance early warning systems.
- Secure Diverse Funding Sources: Ensure transparency in financial management.
- Promote Economic Cooperation, Free Movement, and a Common Market: Enhance regional stability and resilience
- Dialogue with Political Party Leaders: Encourage respect for democratic roles and ensure leaders do not take citizens for granted with their promises.
ECOWAS’s role in promoting peace and security is crucial for the socio-economic development of the West African region. By learning from past experiences and continuously improving its strategies, ECOWAS can continue to be a beacon of hope for peace and stability in West Africa.
