This paper analyzes the security issues and its reasons for the region West Africa. Furthermore the author explains the trade agreement Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its impacts as well as solutions.
ECOWAS was formed on May 28, 1975 to promote economic integration in West Africa. The realization of this economic integration agenda was largely due to Nigeria’s regional leadership in West Africa. However, Nigeria’s attempts were met with stiff opposition from the Francophone bloc led by Cote d’Ivoire with support from France in the 1970s. Though often blown out of proportion, there has historically been a raging antagonism between the Anglophone and Francophone blocs in West Africa. On its part, fearing Nigeria’s domination in any West African integration scheme, France supported Cote d’Ivoire’s hostility towards Nigeria. In a February-March 1971 tour in most of the former French colonies, President Pompidou warned against Nigeria’s domination and urged them to harmonize their efforts to counter balance the heavy weight of Nigeria. The result was the formation of West African Economic Community’s (CEAO) in 1973. In the words of Engel and Jouanjean (2015), France perceived Nigeria as a major threat to its chasse gardée, French West Africa, as it made use of Cote d’Ivoire’s economic might and Senegal’s cultural heritage.
Table of Contents
1.0 OVERVIEW OF ECOWAS’ FORMATION
2.0 UNDERSTANDING FACTORS INFLUENCING COLLECTIVE SECURITY SCHEME IN WEST AFRICA
2.1 NATIONAL FACTORS
2.2 REGIONAL FACTORS
2.3 EXTRA-REGIONAL FACTORS
3.0 SMOOTHING THE EDGES OF SECURITY REGIONALISM IN WEST AFRICA
3.1 THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT
3.2 INSTITUTIONALIZING COLLECTIVE SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA
3.3 DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMANAN SECURITY
3.4 FUNDING CAPACITY AND SOURCES
4.0 CONCLUSION
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHIES
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This work examines the evolution and effectiveness of the ECOWAS collective security system in West Africa, assessing how historical, regional, and institutional factors have shaped the organization's ability to manage security challenges. It explores the transition from ad hoc interventions to a more institutionalized framework while identifying the persistent gaps that hinder its operational success.
- The historical context and formation of ECOWAS under Nigerian leadership.
- Internal national and regional factors influencing security cooperation.
- The institutional evolution of the legal and military frameworks for conflict management.
- The impact of democracy, good governance, and civil society on regional stability.
- Challenges related to funding, external dependency, and the role of regional hegemons.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 INSTITUTIONALIZING COLLECTIVE SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA
Currently, collective security in West Africa has been institutionalized under the new regime. ECOWAS’ current security framework boasts of both administrative and operational structures, and well-defined areas of cooperation among member states. The new system allows ECOWAS to formulate and implement end-to-end hostilities management and peacebuilding strategies (ICG, 2016: 5; Aidoo, 2018), including observation and early warning system, conflict prevention, mediation and conciliation activities to facilitate conflict management and resolution in the region.
Administratively, Office of the Commissioner for PAPS is responsible for all peace and security issues and oversee the ECOWARN Centre. The main decision-making organ within the ECOWAS Commission is the Mediation and Security Council (MSC), even though the Authority is the highest and final decision-making body. It operates in similar manner as the UN Security Council. The MSC operates as a supra-state organ, comprising nine members elected by the Authority for a two-year renewable term, with no permanent seats thus, giving both smaller and larger member states equal voices (ECOWAS Commission, 2015; Aidoo, 2018).
It operates at three main levels: ambassadorial, ministerial and Heads of State and Government. The MSC can authorize deployment of political and military missions, operates on principle of consensus building (a two-thirds majority). Its work is supported by Committee of Ambassadors with dual accreditation to ECOWAS and Nigeria, Defence and Security Commission (DSC) made up of army chiefs of staff and heads of various security services. The DSC meets at least once every quarter to deliberate on security matters.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 OVERVIEW OF ECOWAS’ FORMATION: Discusses the origins of ECOWAS in 1975, highlighting Nigeria's leadership role and the initial regional tensions between Anglophone and Francophone blocs.
2.0 UNDERSTANDING FACTORS INFLUENCING COLLECTIVE SECURITY SCHEME IN WEST AFRICA: Analyzes how military coups, internal civil wars, and regional instability necessitated the evolution of a collective security mechanism.
2.1 NATIONAL FACTORS: Explores how domestic characteristics, such as military capacity and political ideologies of member states, influence their engagement in regional security.
2.2 REGIONAL FACTORS: Details geographical and geopolitical challenges, including porous borders and historical colonial divisions, that complicate collective security efforts.
2.3 EXTRA-REGIONAL FACTORS: Examines the influence of international organizations and external patrons on the security policies and interventions of West African states.
3.0 SMOOTHING THE EDGES OF SECURITY REGIONALISM IN WEST AFRICA: Provides an assessment of the transition from past ad hoc security systems to contemporary, institutionalized approaches.
3.1 THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT: Evaluates the development of legal frameworks and instruments designed to authorize and govern regional interventions.
3.2 INSTITUTIONALIZING COLLECTIVE SECURITY IN WEST AFRICA: Describes the current administrative and operational architecture of ECOWAS’ security apparatus.
3.3 DEMOCRACY, GOOD GOVERNANCE, CIVIL SOCIETY AND HUMANAN SECURITY: Reviews the role of democratic governance and civil society participation in promoting long-term regional stability.
3.4 FUNDING CAPACITY AND SOURCES: Addresses the financial constraints faced by the organization and the ongoing reliance on external support for mission implementation.
4.0 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the progress made by ECOWAS while noting the persistent structural and political gaps that limit its operational effectiveness.
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHIES: Lists the academic and institutional sources referenced throughout the research.
Keywords
ECOWAS, West Africa, Collective Security, Regional Integration, Conflict Management, ECOMOG, Peacekeeping, Governance, Sovereignty, Political Stability, Human Security, Institutionalization, Military Intervention, Nigeria, Geopolitics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
This research focuses on the historical evolution, institutional structure, and operational effectiveness of the ECOWAS collective security mechanism in West Africa.
What are the central themes discussed in the book?
The core themes include regional integration, the transition from ad hoc military interventions to institutionalized frameworks, the impact of internal political dynamics, and the influence of external actors on regional stability.
What is the overarching research question?
The work seeks to answer how and why the ECOWAS security system has evolved to its current state and which factors continue to hinder its ability to effectively manage regional insecurity.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author employs a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, policy papers, and historical data to assess the performance of regional security instruments.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines national, regional, and extra-regional factors affecting security, analyzes the legal and institutional structures of ECOWAS, and explores the intersections of democracy and funding on operational success.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include ECOWAS, regional integration, collective security, conflict management, political stability, and West African geopolitics.
How does the author define the "legal environment" of ECOWAS?
The author describes it as the set of instruments and mechanisms, such as the 1999 Mechanism, that provide the legal basis for conflict prevention and intervention, marking a shift from the state-centric focus of the past.
What role does Nigeria play in the ECOWAS security framework?
Nigeria is identified as the de facto hegemon and the most active member, historically providing the majority of funding and resources for ECOMOG missions, though currently facing internal challenges.
What are the primary challenges regarding funding in ECOWAS?
The work highlights that many member states fail to implement the community levy, leading to a heavy reliance on external development patrons, which often dictates the nature and scope of security interventions.
- Quote paper
- Gilbert Aidoo Arhinful (Author), 2018, Security Regionalism in West Africa after the trade agreement ECOWAS. Smoothing the rough edges, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/957090
