ECOWAS- Problems And Contested Issues

 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is made up of fifteen member countries which are located in the West African Regions. These fifteen countries share common economic, socio- political interests and are culturally and geographically connected. ECOWAS was established on 28 May 1975 with signing of the Treaty of Lagos. Its main mission was to promote economic integration in the regions it covered.

ECOWAS also aims to achieve a goal of collective self-sufficiency for its member states by building a full economic trading union in order to create a single large trade bloc. Today ECOWAS faced a number of criticisms due its failure in attaining its aims and objectives. Some of the major problems faced by ECOWAS include political instability, poor governance of the member states, lack of good transport facilities, weakness and lack of diversification of national economies. 

The ECOWAS accepts the task of guarding democracy, democracy in all the member states, but it neglects or gives no importance to internal democracy. External material and financial support channeled through the ECOWAS Commission is not subject to any democratic control within ECOWAS. The ECOWAS budget remains a secrecy and is difficult to reach. In order to save its integrity there is an urgent need for ECOWAS to focus on achieving good governance regarding budget transparency. Also, only an advisory role is given to the regional parliaments. Even this role has proven to be a difficult task for the regional parliament. Democracy without regional democracy is like politics without politicians.

Countries of West Africa were politically most unstable in Africa. One-party system favored over a multi-party system. The civilians of the newly independent African Country had the opportunity to rule for their government but the increased corruption, mismanagements, the increasing supremacy of powers of the leaders and the parties resulted into military intervention to stop the new independent countries from leading wayward to such directions. 

Within the ECOWAS three languages are used for communication among the member nations. The three languages are- French, English and Portuguese. There was difficulty in finding individuals who could communicate in all the three languages to the members of ECOWAS. This created a problem when it comes to decision making, discussion on certain political and economic matters.

ECOWAS aims for economic integration which seems unsuccessful as many of its member states are some of the poorest nations in the world. Economic integration of sub-region could not be achieved as the regions are deprived of basic commodities and resources essential for survival.

Human trafficking and human right abuses are common in Africa. Children and women are victims of such acts. ECOWAS aims at reducing gender disparity but women are still deprived of their rights. ECOWAS should work towards providing women’s rights, because women are always right and by excluding women, Africa is on the left track.