By: Rachel Kakraba
Stakeholders in peacebuilding have called on the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, to undertake deeper reflections and position itself strategically both at regional and national levels on its future amid the exit of the Alliance of Sahel States AES and other complex challenges confronting the region.
Such deliberations which should be participatory must include all aspects of regional integration involving the decision making organs of ECOWAS and citizens across all spectrums, such as traditional and regional leaders, CSOs, the media, women and youth, academic and research institutions, the private sector and organized labour.
Outcome of such deliberations, according to them, would enable ECOWAS to adapt, re-imagine and position itself within the ongoing geopolitical and geostrategic context to strategically maintain its influence and relevance.
These were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a High-Level Policy Dialogue on “understanding the geopolitical and strategic changes in West Africa: emerging challenges and the future of ECOWAS.”
About High Policy Dialogue
The Dialogue which was convened by the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program, and the Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa. The meeting which was held in Accra, Ghana from 15-16 April 2025, brought together representatives from ECOWAS, governments, policymakers, civil society organizations (CSOs), analysts, and researchers, aimed at harnessing novel ideas that could be incorporated into the Special Summit preparatory documents to be considered by the ECOWAS Authority. Participants also deliberated on innovative ways of addressing the emerging geopolitical and geostrategic challenges confronting West Africa within the changing context in West Africa.
Some key resolutions
The participants observed that West Africa is experiencing shifting geopolitical and strategic alliances with some countries, especially in the Sahel, turning to non-Western partners such as China, Russia, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. The emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and their exit from ECOWAS was highlighted as one of the major consequences of these geopolitical and geostrategic shifts.
They expressed concerns about the limited progress of the mediation process to return the AES states to ECOWAS, and pointed out that their withdrawal poses significant security, political, social and economic challenges for the region.
The dialogue highlighted how the social contract between the citizenry and the State is being eroded due to complex governance and development deficits. Issues such as weak institutions, manipulation of constitutional and electoral laws, weaponization of the judiciary, the instrumentalisation of security forces to silence dissent and enable unconstitutional maintenance of power.
They emphasized the importance of overhauling the ECOWAS’ democracy and good governance architecture as well as promoting inclusive and participatory governance, stronger civil society participation, gender mainstreaming and more locally grounded democratic models to reflect African realities.
Other resolutions;
Transitioning from an “ECOWAS of States” to an “ECOWAS of the People”through the ECOWAS Vision 2020 and 2050. They urged ECOWAS to adopt a strategic approach that prioritizes the needs and well-being of citizens across the region to ensure greater citizen engagement and empowerment within the Community to foster a sense of regional identity and belonging.
Development and Implementation of ECOWAS Strategic Communication Framework to share the successes and processes of regional integration in West Africa. Contingency strategies to ensure regional stability and development amid AES exit. Ensuring gendered perspectives in operational responses as well as prioritize the Youth in ECOWAS decision-making processes.
Conclusion
On 7th July 2024, the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at its Sixty-Fifth (65th) Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria directed the ECOWAS Commission to convene a “Special Summit on the Future of Regional Integration in West Africa.”
The Special Summit is expected to consider the emerging geopolitical/geostrategic dynamics and challenges facing regional and political governance, development, peace, and security in West Africa.
Ahead of this Special Summit, the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), the Social Science Research Council’s African Peacebuilding Network (APN) and Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa (Next Gen) program, and the Conflict Research Network (CORN) West Africa held the high-level policy aimed at harnessing novel ideas that could be incorporated into the Special Summit preparatory documents to be considered by the ECOWAS Authority.
Participants also deliberated on innovative ways of addressing the emerging geopolitical and geostrategic challenges confronting West Africa within the changing context in West Africa.
