ECOWAS: It's Role in Regional Development

Introduction

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was enshrined in the ECOWAS Treaty of May 28, 1975. The origins of ECOWAS came from the recognition of sixteen West African states that their self-imposed economic isolation and interstate differences needed to be reformed. “ECOWAS reflected the region's postcolonial independence and the importance of trading blocs within the international system as a means to reconcile political difference and poverty” (Masson and Catherine, PP. 56-67). The central focus of ECOWAS was therefore economic cooperation, specifically the harmonization of trade policy, underpinned by a need to alleviate poverty within the region. This paper discusses The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its role in regional development in a concise and comprehensive way.

ECOWAS: It's Role in Regional Development

Since its inception, ECOWAS has expanded its initial mandate to concentrate on issues of sociopolitical integration, development, and defense. “The ECOWAS Defense Pact outlines its involvement in multinational peacekeeping; however, its military involvement in Liberia—Operation Liberty—in August 1990 reflected a new role for ECOWAS in military intervention to bring about peace in a member state” (Masson and Catherine, PP. 56-67). The ECOWAS experience in Liberia has led the organization to concentrate on issues of small arms trafficking across the region, and to reassess its peacekeeping mandate and member state sovereignty.

ECOWAS has been seen as successful in its positive impact upon increased production, economic efficiency, and transport systems within West Africa. “It has promoted a joint effort to eradicate illegal trade and established the seeds of a customs union. Furthermore, it has drawn up a comprehensive trade liberalization program to reduce trade barriers and encourage investment” (Aring, pp. 335-348).

The community continues to be undermined by state sovereignty, interregional conflict, poverty, and an expanding mandate. Larger states within the community are able to dominate its mandate, states continue to compete with each other in trade exports, and many states are only beginning to assert independent sovereignty free from corruption. “Expressions of sovereignty and state identity are pursued through alternative regional organizations such as the West African Economic Community (CEAO), which in turn undermines ECOWAS's regional integration and cooperation” (Aring, pp. 335-348). In focusing on issues of defense and politics, the community risks expanding its mandate too soon for its institutional capabilities and therefore undermining its initial purpose. Furthermore, economic prosperity in West Africa continues to be juxtaposed with famine and poverty.

“Economic cooperation within ECOWAS was to be pursued by a common external tariff system and the elimination of trade barriers. Central to the realization of these objectives are the five institutions that run the community. These institutions, as enshrined in Article 4 of the Treaty, are the Authority of Heads of State and Government, the Council of Ministers, the Executive Secretariat, the Tribunal of the Community, and the Technical and Specialized Commissions” (Aring, pp. 335-348). The institution encompasses the following member states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and ...