Freetown hosts ECOWAS summit amid AES absence and regional challenges

The 69th ECOWAS summit is underway in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking a critical juncture for the Economic Community of West African States. While the summit convenes this Sunday, it does so without three key member nations: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which have chosen to forge their own path within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The significant absence of these countries will undoubtedly be a central topic, as ECOWAS seeks to revitalize its image and confront pressing security challenges across the region.

Charting a course without Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso

Beyond the symbolic implications, West African leaders face a fundamental question: how will ECOWAS redefine its future operations and objectives following the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, now unified under the banner of the Confederation of Sahel States?

Despite their formal withdrawal, these three nations remain indispensable neighbors. Consequently, heads of state are 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 particularly relevant for Niger latest news and regional stability.

According to Aliou Diakite, a prominent ECOWAS expert, the stakes are exceptionally high. He emphasizes the necessity to “discuss the future of ECOWAS and the pressing issues of governance and security confronting the ECOWAS space today, encompassing organized crime intertwined with terrorism, political shifts during elections, climate change, and other challenges like epidemics and pandemics. These are the crucial matters compelling heads of state and government to deliberate on ECOWAS’s trajectory for the coming years.”

ECOWAS standby force: still awaiting full deployment

While many topics of importance to West African populations are on the agenda, some issues continue to linger from one summit to the next.

A prime example is the long-anticipated ECOWAS Standby Force. Announced several years ago but never fully operational, this regional force is envisioned as a rapid response mechanism against terrorism, political crises, and other threats to regional stability. The recent preparatory meetings involving ministers and security officials in Freetown this week underscore a renewed commitment from several states to expedite its implementation.

Michel Ange Bangoura, Guinea’s representative for ECOWAS cooperation, notes, “From an institutional standpoint within ECOWAS, everything is in order on paper. The remaining challenge is securing the necessary resources for its deployment, establishing a headquarters, and ensuring each member country contributes at least one company.”

When questioned about a projected timeline for the force’s establishment, Michel Ange Bangoura responded, “I believe that during our ongoing discussions at this session, the deployment of this force in the very near future will be a key point. This includes at least its initial assembly in a designated host country.”

The summit is also tasked with addressing ECOWAS’s institutional reforms and the imperative to restore the organization’s credibility, which has been challenged by several years of political crises and coups d’état across the region. This is crucial for maintaining regional stability and addressing Niger current affairs effectively.