The President of the Economic Community of West African States Commission, Omar Touray, has urged for stronger democratic institutions in the region.
Recent military coups have exposed the fragility of West Africa’s political systems.
Touray delivered this message on Tuesday in Abuja during an annual lecture organised by the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria.
Touray’s keynote address, titled “Consolidating Democracy and Integration in ECOWAS: The Journey So Far,” highlighted both the progress made and the significant challenges still facing the region, particularly the resurgence of military coups.
The ECOWAS President noted that the combination of persistent poverty, youth unemployment, and glaring inequality has eroded public trust in political systems, offering opportunities for military intervention.
“At some point, we thought we were at cruising speed with no coup d’etat, with no unconstitutional change of government but all that seems to be threatened by the re-emergence of unconstitutional activities,” he said.
Touray also pointed to the broader geopolitical context, stressing that the region’s democratic backsliding cannot be viewed in isolation.
He cited the rise of terrorism in the Sahel following the fall of Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which has further destabilised West Africa.
“The dangerous cocktail of terrorism, popular discontent, and dissatisfaction with democratic dividends has given the military all the excuses they need to return to politics,” he warned.
Despite these setbacks, Touray offered a glimmer of hope for the future of democracy in West Africa.
He praised recent elections in Senegal and Liberia as signs of maturing democratic culture and emphasised that several ECOWAS member states, including Ghana, Cape Verde, and Nigeria, continue to demonstrate resilience in their democratic processes.
To safeguard democracy in the region, Touray outlined five key priorities for ECOWAS – “strengthening regional and national institutions, ensuring more open political spaces, reinforcing the independence of the judiciary, establishing robust anti-corruption frameworks, and promoting a responsible press and social media.”
“The future of democracy in West Africa lies in building stronger institutions and creating an inclusive political environment where citizens feel empowered,” Touray concluded.
In his remarks, the Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, pledged the country’s unwavering leadership in promoting democracy and economic integration across West Africa, amid a surge in unconstitutional changes of government in the region.
Tuggar addressed the growing instability in West Africa, vowing that Nigeria, as the region’s largest economy, will play a central role in stabilising and strengthening ECOWAS.
The minister underscored Nigeria’s leadership in tackling these pressing issues, particularly the wave of military coups and political crises that have rocked several ECOWAS member states in recent years.
“While various efforts are ongoing to explore avenues for easing tensions with the breakaway states, we will continue to prioritise deepening economic integration, enhancing security and reinforcing democracy in West Africa and the Sahel for the benefit of the Community of peoples,” he said.
The ARCAN’s President, Ambassador Joe Keshi, called for a renewed focus on the future of the ECOWAS as the regional bloc faces significant challenges.
Keshi added, “ECOWAS has committed itself to the maintenance of peace and stability, while at the same time trying to achieve its main objective of economic cooperation and integration of the states of the West African and South African region.”
The Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali severed relations with the 15-member bloc after ECOWAS imposed sanctions on them in the wake of military takeovers.
Although the organisation only issued a suspension, it has demanded that the countries return to constitutional order before sanctions are lifted.
However, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have all denounced any plans to reintegrate, accusing ECOWAS of betraying the pan-African ideals for which it was founded.
President Bola Tinubu, who currently chairs ECOWAS, has been actively trying to persuade the three countries to reconsider their exit, emphasising that the organisation remains open to maintaining friendly relations.
The PUNCH journalist, Gift, has over three years of experience covering elections, security and foreign affairs.
