The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Key Points
- The junta-led countries had already been suspended from the bloc, which has been urging them to return to democratic rule.
- The three governments said it was a “sovereign decision” to withdraw from Ecowas.
- They were also founding members of the bloc, first established in 1975.
- They said Ecowas had ” drifted from the ideals of its founding fathers and the spirit of Pan-Africanism.”
- It goes on to say that Ecowas “under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles, has become a threat to member states and peoples,” adding that the bloc had failed to help them tackle the jihadist violence in their countries.
- Relations between the bloc and the three countries have been tense after military coups took place in Niger in July, Burkina Faso in 2022 and Mali in 2020.
About the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
- The ECOWAS, also known as CEDEAO in French, is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1975.
- It was created through the Lagos Treaty, ECOWAS aims to foster economic integration, cooperation, and development among West African nations.
- The Secretariat, headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria.
- ECOWAS consists of 15 member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
- Beyond the goals of economic cooperation, ECOWAS has attempted to quell military conflicts in the region.
- ECOWAS also operated a regional peacekeeping operation known as ECOMOG, led by Nigeria in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Key Objectives of ECOWAS
- Promoting economic integration among member states.
- Facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services.
- Enhancing regional cooperation in various sectors, including industry, transport, energy, and finance.
- Fostering a borderless region governed by democratic principles, the rule of law, and good governance.
- Addressing security and political challenges through collaboration and conflict resolution.
Institutions of ECOWAS
- The Commission: The ECOWAS Commission serves as the executive arm, responsible for implementing policies and programs. It is headed by a President and supported by Commissioners.
- The Parliament: The ECOWAS Parliament is a consultative body that provides input on regional policies. Its members are drawn from national parliaments of member states.
- The Court of Justice: The ECOWAS Court of Justice adjudicates legal disputes and ensures the interpretation and application of the ECOWAS Treaty.
- The Mediation and Security Council: This council is responsible for conflict prevention, management, resolution, and post-conflict peace-building within the region.
ECOWAS and India: Strengthening Regional Ties
- India has had an Observer Status in ECOWAS since 2004.
- India has presented itself as an effective dialogue partner of ECOWAS implementing a sub-regional program through Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
- It has endorsed India’s bid for a seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
- India has consistently provided Line of Credit (LOCs) as part of its Focus Africa program, supporting regional integration within The Economic Community of West African States.
- This initiative has created new avenues for Indian companies to participate in sectors like energy, telecommunications, and transportation in West Africa.
- India provided a “strategic opportunity” to encourage sustainable development to enable additional South-South cooperation.
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