President Akufo-Addo has proposed creating an ECOWAS standby armed force to address the rising threat of military coups and terrorism in the West African subregion. Speaking at the Africa Security Conference in Accra on August 28, 2024, he argued that this force is crucial for regional stability and security, helping to deter and respond to the increasing incidents of military coups and terrorism in the region. He emphasized that a swift, dedicated response could have prevented the recent coups in Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso.
The goal of this proposed Force is to strengthen ECOWAS's role in preserving stability and peace by improving the region's ability to react quickly and effectively to security emergencies. This project is a reflection of the increasing awareness that the region needs a more effective and proactive security apparatus, particularly in light of the many and ever-changing threats that jeopardize political stability as well as economic progress.
ECOWAS was established on May 28, 1975, through the Treaty of Lagos, with fifteen member states joining forces to address the pressing political and economic challenges in West Africa. The founding principle was to foster political unity and economic integration across the region.
The organization aimed to create a single market to boost trade, investment, and economic growth among its members. By facilitating the free movement of people, goods, and services, the organization sought to enhance regional trade and reduce economic disparities. Politically, ECOWAS was designed to promote peacekeeping and diplomatic mediation to prevent conflicts, reflecting its commitment to regional security and cooperation.
Despite its initial successes, ECOWAS has faced increasing challenges in recent years, including political instability, internal disagreements, and conflicting national interests that have weakened its effectiveness.
West Africa still struggles with persistent political unrest and poor governance, which impede development and create uncertainty. Strengthening ECOWAS could enhance its role in promoting democracy, good governance, and political stability. By bolstering support for anti-corruption efforts, democratic transitions, and conflict resolution, ECOWAS could foster more stable political environments. The disruptive influence of external actors like the Wagner Group, combined with internal economic and political challenges, underscores the need for improved regional security measures. President Akufo-Addo’s proposal for an ECOWAS Standby Force highlights the urgent need for enhanced regional security, which could be crucial for advancing integration, stability, and prosperity in West Africa.
The presence of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, has further complicated the region's stability. Active in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, Wagner's operations, including combat support and security services, have undermined democratic processes and exacerbated regional conflicts. Their involvement has strained ECOWAS's ability to maintain cohesion and address security issues, making it harder for the organization to achieve its peacekeeping and conflict resolution objectives.
However, some security analysts have criticized the idea, noting that such a move duplicates existing structures like ECOMOG with the potential to exacerbate economic challenges and security issues.
They argue that addressing the root causes of instability, such as poverty and unemployment, is more crucial than establishing a new armed force, which could undermine existing structures like ECOMOG. They emphasize the need to strengthen ECOMOG by enhancing its human and logistical resources to effectively counter rising security threats in West Africa. Investing in comprehensive solutions that tackle economic and social issues is seen as a more sustainable approach to achieving long-term regional security and stability. By reinforcing ECOMOG, the region can better manage conflicts and instability without duplicating efforts.
The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) was established by ECOWAS to address regional conflicts, notably the Liberian civil war (1989–97). Formed by fifteen West African nations, primarily supported by Nigerian forces with contributions from Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, ECOMOG was formalized under the Protocol on Mutual Defence Assistance signed in Freetown on May 29, 1981. Created in August 1990, ECOMOG aimed to intervene in Liberia but faced criticism for lacking legal and procedural legitimacy, with criticisms highlighting its political rather than legal justification.
Initially led by Ghanaian Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo, ECOMOG faced challenges including corruption and logistical issues, leading to a negative reputation among Liberians. Despite short-term involvement by Senegalese troops and logistical support from the U.S., ECOMOG withdrew by 1998. In 2003, ECOWAS launched ECOMIL to address the Second Liberian Civil War, which was later succeeded by the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).
President of the United States Africa Command Ghana, Abednego Orstin Rawlings, in 2023 criticized West African leaders for the collapse of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). He noted that if ECOMOG had not been dismantled due to self-interests of these leaders, many current conflicts, including the recent coups in the subregion, might have been avoided. Rawlings condemned leaders for prioritizing their power over regional stability, citing instances like Guinea’s Alpha Condé altering the constitution to extend his rule without opposition and its failure to protect Senegal’s opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, from imprisonment.
Rawlings urged a revival of ECOMOG to address ongoing instability, paralleling the efforts of European countries to strengthen alliances like North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He emphasized the need for African nations to enhance cooperation and suggested that the United States Africa Command could play a key role in regional security.
As a Civil Society organisation dedicated towards the advancement of democracy as an essential ingredient for Africa's growth, CDS Africa aims to strengthen democratic values across the continent and advocates for the revitalization of ECOMOG and strengthening ECOWAS. We emphasize the need for a renewed commitment to multilateral security frameworks, enhanced regional cooperation, and democratic governance.
The collapse of ECOMOG and recent challenges within ECOWAS have significantly undermined stability in West Africa, exposing vulnerabilities to recurrent crises. CDS Africa recognises the urgent need to address these issues and focuses on reforming security mechanisms, promoting transparency, and addressing systemic issues like corruption and poor governance.
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