The Economic community of West African State (ECOWAS) 1975 – objectives, Achievements and failures

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa. It was established on May 28, 1975, with the signing of the Treaty of Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria. The primary goal of ECOWAS is to promote economic integration and cooperation among its member states, aiming to create a single large trade bloc and improve the living standards of its people.

Aims and objectives of ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has several key aims and objectives aimed at fostering economic integration, political stability, and social development within the region. Here are the main goals of ECOWAS:

1. Economic Integration and Cooperation

• Promotion of Trade: Establish a customs union and common market to facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and capital among member states.
• Harmonization of Policies: Align economic and monetary policies to create a stable and integrated economic space.
• Industrial Development: Support the development of various industries to boost economic growth and reduce dependency on external economies.

2. Political Stability and Security

• Peace and Security: Promote peace, security, and stability within the region through conflict prevention, management, and resolution mechanisms.
• Democratic Governance: Encourage the practice of democratic governance and respect for human rights within member states.

3. Social Development

• Human Development: Improve the quality of life for the people of West Africa through programs focused on health, education, and social welfare.
• Cultural Integration: Promote cultural exchanges and understanding to foster a sense of regional identity and unity.

4. Free Movement of People and Goods

• Removal of Barriers: Eliminate barriers to the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the ECOWAS region.
• Visa-Free Travel: Implement protocols that allow for visa-free travel for citizens of member states within the region.

5. Monetary Cooperation

• Single Currency: Work towards the establishment of a single currency for the region to facilitate trade and economic stability.
• Monetary Policy Harmonization: Align monetary policies and establish a common central bank.

6. Legal and Institutional Framework

• Harmonization of Legal Frameworks: Standardize legal and regulatory frameworks to support regional integration.
• Strengthening Institutions: Enhance the capacity and effectiveness of regional institutions to implement ECOWAS policies and programs.

These aims and objectives are designed to create a more integrated and prosperous West African region, benefiting the economies and populations of the member states.

Achievements of ECOWAS

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has made significant strides since its establishment in 1975. Here are some of its notable achievements:

1. Free Movement of People

• ECOWAS Passport: Introduction of the ECOWAS passport, which allows citizens of member states to travel visa-free within the region.
• Right of Residence and Establishment: Protocols that grant citizens the right to reside and establish businesses in other member states.

2. Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping

• ECOMOG: Establishment of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which has played a crucial role in peacekeeping and conflict resolution in countries like Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire.
• Mediation Efforts: Successful mediation in political crises and conflicts in member states, promoting stability and peace.

3. Economic Integration

• Common External Tariff (CET): Implementation of a Common External Tariff to harmonize trade policies and reduce trade barriers within the region.
• ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS): A scheme to promote intra-regional trade by eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers.

4. Infrastructure Development

• Trans-West African Highway: Development of major infrastructure projects like the Trans-West African Highway, which aims to improve transportation and connectivity within the region.
• West African Power Pool (WAPP): Initiatives to develop a regional electricity grid to ensure stable and affordable power supply.

5. Health and Social Development

• Regional Disease Surveillance: Establishment of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) to coordinate health policies and combat diseases like Ebola and COVID-19.
• Education and Training: Programs to enhance education, vocational training, and human resource development in member states.

6. Democratic Governance

• Support for Elections: Assistance in conducting free and fair elections in member states to promote democratic governance.
• Promotion of Human Rights: Efforts to uphold and promote human rights and the rule of law across the region.

7. Environmental and Agricultural Development

• Climate Change Initiatives: Programs to address climate change, desertification, and environmental degradation.
• Agricultural Development: Support for agricultural projects to improve food security and rural development.

These achievements demonstrate the significant progress ECOWAS has made in promoting regional integration, peace, stability, and development in West Africa. The organization continues to work towards its goals, despite the challenges it faces.

Failures of ECOWAS

While ECOWAS has achieved many successes, it has also faced several challenges and failures. Here are some notable ones:

1. Political Instability and Coups

ECOWAS has struggled to effectively address political instability and coups in member states. Despite its efforts, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have experienced military takeovers, leading to their withdrawal from the organization.

2. Inconsistent Enforcement of Policies

ECOWAS has faced criticism for its inconsistent enforcement of policies and sanctions. Some member states have flouted ECOWAS protocols without facing significant consequences, undermining the organization’s credibility.

3. Economic Disparities

The economic disparities between member states have hindered the progress of regional integration. Wealthier countries often dominate the regional agenda, leaving poorer nations at a disadvantage.

4. Security Challenges

Despite efforts to promote peace and security, ECOWAS has struggled to contain security threats such as jihadist terrorism, drug trafficking, and piracy. These challenges continue to destabilize the region.

5. Dependence on External Aid

Many ECOWAS member states rely heavily on external aid, which can limit their ability to implement independent regional policies. This dependence can also lead to donor-driven priorities that may not align with regional integration goals.

6. Withdrawal of Key Members

The recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS signals a significant setback for the organization. These countries cited dissatisfaction with ECOWAS’s handling of political and security issues as reasons for their departure.

7. Limited Institutional Capacity

ECOWAS institutions often lack the capacity to effectively implement and enforce regional policies. This includes issues with governance, funding, and human resources.

8. Overlapping Memberships

Many ECOWAS member states belong to multiple regional organizations, leading to overlapping mandates and conflicting policies. This can create confusion and reduce the effectiveness of integration efforts.

9. Environmental Challenges

Climate change, desertification, and other environmental issues pose significant challenges to regional integration. These problems can affect agriculture, water resources, and overall economic stability.

10. Social and Cultural Differences

The diversity of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures within ECOWAS can sometimes create friction and misunderstandings, complicating efforts to integrate.

Addressing these failures requires coordinated efforts, strong political will, and investment in infrastructure and institutions. Despite these challenges, ECOWAS continues to work towards its goals of promoting regional integration, peace, stability, and development in West Africa.

Please obtain free notes, exams and marking guides of Physics, chemistry, biology, history, from digitalteachers.co.ug website.

Thanks

Dr. Bbosa Science