The 69th ECOWAS summit is underway in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking a crucial moment for the West African economic bloc. As ECOWAS convenes this Sunday, it does so without three significant members: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, who have chosen to form their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Discussions at the summit are expected to heavily feature efforts to enhance ECOWAS’s image and address pressing regional security challenges, a key aspect of African politics today.

Charting a new course for ECOWAS without key members

Beyond the symbolic impact, West African leaders face a fundamental question: how to redefine the future trajectory of ECOWAS following the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, now united under the Confederation of Sahel States?

Despite their exit from the organization, these three nations remain indispensable neighbors. Heads of State are therefore expected to explore avenues for dialogue to safeguard vital commercial exchanges, ensure the free movement of people, and critically, bolster security cooperation against a pervasive terrorist threat that transcends national borders. This is a crucial element for stability in society Africa.

Aliou Diakite, an expert on ECOWAS affairs, stresses the immense stakes involved. He highlights the necessity to “discuss the future of ECOWAS and the governance and security challenges currently confronting the ECOWAS region, considering organized crime linked to terrorism, political transitions during elections, climate change, and various epidemics and pandemics. These are the issues compelling heads of state and government to deliberate on the future of ECOWAS in the coming years.”

ECOWAS standby force: still awaiting full operational status

Many issues of significant concern to West African populations continue to linger unresolved from one summit to the next.

A prime example is the ECOWAS Standby Force. Announced years ago but never fully operational, this regional force is envisioned as a rapid response mechanism to counter terrorism, political crises, and threats to regional stability.

Preparatory meetings involving ministers and security officials held earlier this week in Freetown underscore the commitment of several member states to accelerate its implementation.

Michel Ange Bangoura, a Guinean official overseeing cooperation with ECOWAS, remarked, “Institutionally, everything is in order on paper for ECOWAS. The remaining challenge is to secure the necessary resources for its deployment, establish its headquarters, and ensure each country contributes at least a company of troops.”

When questioned about a projected timeline for the force’s activation, Michel Ange Bangoura responded, “I believe that during our ongoing discussions at this session, the deployment of this force in the short term will be a key topic. This includes at least the initial grouping of troops in a country chosen for this purpose.”

The summit agenda also includes essential institutional reforms for ECOWAS and the imperative task of restoring the organization’s credibility after several years marked by political instability and coups d’état across the region. Strengthening governance Africa is paramount for its future.