Alagi Yorro Jallow
Part 1
Fatoumatta: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks its Golden Jubilee with celebrations of regional integration and prosperity, yet beneath the festivities lies an undeniable crisis: West Africa’s democratic fabric is unraveling, and ECOWAS has failed to protect it.
For five decades, ECOWAS has positioned itself as the guardian of democracy, economic cooperation, and regional stability, yet today, it stands powerless against the military regimes that now openly defy it. The emergence of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—a parallel bloc formed by juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—is not just a diplomatic setback; it is a glaring indictment of ECOWAS’s failures.
Fatoumatta: ECOWAS’s approach to democracy has been deeply flawed, relying on weak condemnations, negotiated transitions, and selective enforcement of democratic principles. It has tolerated constitutional manipulation by civilian leaders, allowing power-hungry politicians to extend their rule unchecked, while reacting only when the military intervenes.
This inconsistency has fueled widespread public frustration, with many citizens in Francophone West Africa now viewing military takeovers as preferable to corrupt civilian governments. The rise of AES is not merely a rejection of ECOWAS—it is a direct result of ECOWAS’s failure to address deeper governance problems.
Fatoumatta: What was once seen as an emergency to be swiftly reversed has now morphed into a new political normal, where juntas dictate the terms of their rule and refuse any real path to civilian governance. ECOWAS, despite its sanctions and diplomatic pressure, has failed to compel military regimes to surrender power. Instead, it engages in drawn-out negotiations that allow military rulers to consolidate control rather than transition to democracy.
ECOWAS needs a firm stance against military rule, instead of being entangled in endless negotiations and drawn-out transitions that only legitimize juntas. A no-compromise policy on coups would signal unwavering commitment to democratic governance, rather than allowing military rulers to dictate the pace of their return to civilian authority.
Fatoumatta: A stronger democratic order demands that ECOWAS focus on institutional resilience rather than just term limits—ensuring that governance structures are robust enough to prevent manipulation by entrenched elites or opportunistic leaders. Without bold corrective measures, the trend of military-backed regimes gaining legitimacy could become an irreversible norm, undermining the democratic foundations the bloc was designed to protect.
Fatoumatta: A Golden Jubilee without reform is an empty celebration. As ECOWAS commemorates 50 years, the reality is clear: West Africa’s democracy is in peril, yet ECOWAS fails to take decisive action. Military juntas are dictating terms, and ECOWAS’s slow approach only validates their rule. Citizens are losing faith, not only in governments but also in regional institutions meant to safeguard their rights.
Instead of celebrating past achievements, ECOWAS must commit to non-negotiable democratic principles. Zero tolerance for military rule, with immediate and non-compromising enforcement. A swift return to civilian governance, rejecting endless transition periods. Real democratic safeguards against constitutional manipulation, ensuring no leader can extend their rule indefinitely.
Fatoumatta: If ECOWAS fails to act decisively, it will soon find itself overshadowed by rising juntas, unable to reverse the tide of autocracy engulfing the region. The Golden Jubilee should not be a ceremonial milestone—it should be a reckoning, a moment for ECOWAS to prove its relevance or risk complete obsolescence.
