Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-02-29 09:19:13
Amid the biggest crisis in its history, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is now shifting towards a dialogue-based approach to deal with military-led countries within its jurisdiction, risking its credibility in the process. The regional organization has been engaged in a prolonged struggle with military coup leaders in Mali, Guinea, Niger, and Burkina Faso since the years 2020-2023. The recent extraordinary summit held in Abuja, Nigeria, on February 25 addressed the need to revise its strategy in dealing with these nations.
During the summit, ECOWAS decided to lift most of the sanctions imposed on Mali, Guinea, and Niger following the overthrow of elected presidents by the military. The initial aim behind these sanctions was to pressure the military leaders to conduct elections promptly, but these efforts did not yield the desired results. The current Chairman of ECOWAS Authority, President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, emphasized the need to reassess the approach to restoring constitutional order in the member states under military rule.
Specifically, ECOWAS lifted the closure of land and air borders with Niger, ended the suspension of economic transactions, and released frozen assets belonging to the Nigerien state. Although the release of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum was previously a precondition for lifting sanctions, this requirement was disregarded by ECOWAS during the summit. Some targeted sanctions and political restrictions still remain for Niger, but details were not provided.
Additionally, ECOWAS decided to end financial and economic sanctions against Guinea, specifically lifting the ban on financial transactions with member states. The organization also lifted restrictions on the recruitment of its citizens for professional positions within ECOWAS institutions, a gesture extended to West African military regimes in exchange for following a transition timetable.
The relaxation of sanctions by ECOWAS was primarily influenced by the threatened departure of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali from the regional bloc. This move coincided with political turmoil in Senegal, where President Macky Sall postponed elections, drawing criticism for ECOWAS’ muted response. The regional organization faced censure for overlooking democratic principles in favor of political expediency, leading to a reconsideration of its approach towards military-led regimes.
The global decline in democracy raises concerns about the long-term impact of ECOWAS’ decision on promoting democratic governance in the coup-prone region. The organization’s credibility in upholding democratic values is at stake, and the repercussions of its actions on regional stability remain uncertain. As the situation evolves, the true ramifications of ECOWAS’ choices will become apparent, underscoring the need for a consistent and principled approach to governance in West Africa.
Read the original article on The Standard
