ECOWAS at 50: Regional Unity Tested by Emerging Divisions

DDM News

On May 28, 2025, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marked fifty years since its founding.

The golden jubilee celebration comes at a time of both reflection and uncertainty for the regional bloc.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that although ECOWAS was established to foster unity and economic cooperation, the organization today faces deepening divisions.

Fifty years ago, fifteen West African nations signed a treaty in Lagos, Nigeria, to create ECOWAS.

This historic agreement followed sustained advocacy by then-Togolese president Gnassingbé Eyadéma and Nigeria’s former Head of State Yakubu Gowon.

Both leaders traveled extensively across the region, securing consensus for a shared economic and political vision.

The Lagos Treaty, as it was later known, laid the foundation for the free movement of people, goods, and services within the West African region.

The agreement aimed to remove trade barriers and promote inter-state cooperation.

In 1990, a significant milestone was reached when ECOWAS abolished the need for personal identification at internal borders, enhancing regional mobility.

Over the decades, ECOWAS has intervened in political crises, deployed peacekeeping missions, and contributed to democratic transitions in several member states.

However, the journey has not been without obstacles.

Recently, three member states, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have withdrawn from the regional bloc.

This development has shaken the very foundation of the ECOWAS vision.

The three countries, all ruled by military juntas, have jointly established a rival alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States.

This alliance represents a dramatic shift in the region’s geopolitical balance.

The new bloc has not only rejected ECOWAS authority but has also ended military ties with long-standing Western allies such as the United States and France.

Instead, the Alliance of Sahel States has turned to Russia for military and strategic support.

This pivot has raised concerns about a potential new Cold War dynamic in West Africa.

In response, ECOWAS has maintained that certain transitional policies remain in place, such as free trade and visa-free movement, although their future remains uncertain.

Currently, discussions are ongoing in Accra, Ghana, to determine the next steps for the bloc.

Among the key agenda items is how to engage with the breakaway states while preserving the core values of the community.

The imposition of a 0.5 percent import duty by the Alliance of Sahel States on ECOWAS goods has further strained relations.

This tariff move directly challenges the bloc’s economic integration goals.

Observers believe it could lead to retaliatory measures, further fragmenting the region.

At the 50th anniversary summit held in Accra, ministers, presidents, and representatives posed for a commemorative photo, symbolizing the desire for unity amid growing discord.

The gathering was intended to reaffirm commitments to the original ECOWAS principles of cooperation and integration.

However, the absence of the three departing countries cast a long shadow over the event.

For many West Africans, the fracture threatens not only trade but also regional stability.

There are fears that other countries with military governments or unstable political environments may follow the path of the Sahel trio.

Some analysts argue that ECOWAS must now reform its structure and approach to remain relevant.

A growing sentiment within civil society calls for stronger enforcement mechanisms and greater inclusivity.

There is also debate about whether ECOWAS should intervene more decisively in member states facing democratic backsliding.

In recent years, the bloc has sanctioned countries for coup d’états and unconstitutional transitions, but critics say the enforcement has been inconsistent.

The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger highlights the limits of ECOWAS’s influence when confronted with hardened military regimes.

The bloc’s reliance on diplomacy, without sufficient leverage, may no longer be adequate in an increasingly volatile region.

Meanwhile, ordinary citizens across West Africa continue to bear the consequences of these political rifts.

Traders, travelers, and businesses are already reporting disruptions due to shifting border controls and new trade rules.

The economic implications could be severe, especially for landlocked countries that rely on cross-border trade.

Experts warn that the fragmentation may roll back years of progress in regional integration.

The ECOWAS Vision 2050, which was adopted in 2021, now faces serious risks.

That vision aimed for a fully integrated region characterized by peace, security, and shared prosperity.

To salvage the vision, member states may need to revisit their commitments and redesign frameworks for collective governance.

There are also calls to address long-standing grievances within the bloc.

Some member states have accused ECOWAS of favoring more powerful countries, such as Nigeria and Ghana, at the expense of smaller nations.

This perception of imbalance has undermined trust in the institution’s neutrality.

In addition, many young West Africans feel disconnected from the bloc’s work.

ECOWAS must do more to engage youth and civil society to rebuild confidence and participation.

The role of regional institutions in ensuring security has also come under scrutiny.

With terrorism and insurgency threatening large parts of the Sahel, security cooperation has become a top priority.

The formation of the Alliance of Sahel States reflects the frustration of some governments with ECOWAS’s security efforts.

The new alliance may seek to develop its own defense force and intelligence-sharing mechanism.

Such a development could lead to parallel structures that weaken the overall effectiveness of regional cooperation.

For ECOWAS, the 50th anniversary is thus a pivotal moment.

It is both a time to celebrate past achievements and confront present realities.

The challenge is to evolve without losing sight of the founding ideals.

Some suggest that the bloc should open dialogue with the breakaway states and seek compromise without conceding its core values.

Others advocate a harder line, including economic sanctions or diplomatic isolation.

Either way, the decisions made in the coming months will shape the future of regionalism in West Africa.

As West African citizens look to the future, many hope that ECOWAS can rise above the current crisis.

The promise of a united, peaceful, and prosperous region is still within reach, if political will aligns with visionary leadership.

With global powers watching closely, the outcome of this internal crisis could also influence broader geopolitical alignments in Africa.

The question remains whether ECOWAS will emerge stronger from its golden jubilee, or fractured and weakened.

The answers may depend not only on its leaders, but on how it redefines its mission for the next generation.

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