The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to hold an urgent meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, this Thursday, amid escalating political crises in several member states, including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This assembly of foreign ministers aims to tackle the region’s multifaceted security and political challenges, though the participation of Senegal’s representative remains uncertain.
Recent months have seen ECOWAS grappling with a series of political upheavals across West Africa. In Senegal, the postponement of the presidential election has sparked controversy and drawn criticism toward ECOWAS for its perceived lack of influence over its member states’ internal affairs. The regional body’s credibility is particularly in question following its response to the coup in Niger last July, which has left former President Mohamed Bazoum detained and calls for military intervention largely unheeded.
The situation in Burkina Faso and Mali further complicates the regional landscape, with both nations experiencing ongoing tensions with their military regimes. These crises underscore the challenges facing ECOWAS as it seeks to navigate a path toward stability and governance in the region.
Critics, including independent political consultant Djidenou Steve Kpoton from Benin, argue that ECOWAS appears ill-equipped to address the evolving political landscape, highlighting the organization’s struggle to assert its effectiveness amidst the turmoil.
