The 69th summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently convened in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking a pivotal moment for the regional bloc. This gathering of heads of state and government took place as ECOWAS grapples with significant internal shifts, notably the absence of three key member nations: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. These countries have since formed their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES), operating independently from the larger West African body. The Freetown agenda undoubtedly included discussions on how to restore ECOWAS’s standing and address pressing security challenges across the region.

navigating the future: ECOWAS without the Sahel states

Beyond the symbolic implications, leaders of West Africa faced a fundamental question: how to redefine the future trajectory of ECOWAS in the wake of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger’s departure, now united under the Confederation of Sahel States. While these three nations have formally withdrawn, they remain indispensable neighbors. Consequently, the heads of state were expected to explore mechanisms for dialogue. Such engagement aims to safeguard vital commercial exchanges, ensure the free movement of people, and, critically, enhance security cooperation against a terrorist threat that transcends national borders, impacting the broader West Africa region.

According to Aliou Diakite, a prominent ECOWAS expert, the stakes are exceptionally high. The discussions centered on charting the path for ECOWAS’s future, tackling critical issues of governance and security within the ECOWAS space. These include organized crime linked to terrorism, political transitions through elections, the impacts of climate change, and the persistent threat of epidemics and pandemics. These urgent matters compelled the leaders to deliberate on the organization’s direction for the coming years.

the ECOWAS standby force: a long-awaited reality?

Many critical issues for West African populations persist, often carried over from one summit to the next without full resolution. A prime example is the ECOWAS Standby Force. Despite being announced years ago, this regional force has yet to become fully operational. It is envisioned as a rapid response mechanism to combat terrorism, address political crises, and counter threats to regional stability. Preparatory meetings involving ministers and security officials earlier in Freetown underscored the commitment of several states to expedite its implementation.

Michel Ange Bangoura, a Guinean official responsible for cooperation with ECOWAS, stated that on an institutional level, all necessary frameworks are in place. He emphasized that the remaining challenge lies in securing the requisite resources for its deployment, establishing a headquarters, and ensuring each member country contributes at least a company-sized unit. When questioned about a timeline for the force’s establishment, Michel Ange Bangoura expressed optimism, indicating that discussions during the current session were focused on a short-term deployment, potentially involving the regrouping of units in a designated host country.

The summit also aimed to address ongoing institutional reforms within ECOWAS. There is a clear imperative to restore the organization’s credibility following several years marked by political crises and coups d’état across the West African region.