ECOWAS

Imagine the quiet deserts of Africa, where three nations—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—are choosing to walk a path less traveled, a path that pivots away from historical alliances, particularly with Western powers like France. Can you envision the implications of such a shift? Moving away from the familiar, these nations are reaching out towards Russia, forging new military and diplomatic bonds in pursuit of shared goals and future resilience. Not too long ago, Mali's Foreign Minister…

In a world where economic tides can shift with the whisper of a policy change, recent developments in West Africa are a textbook example of how regional dynamics can flex and reshape our shared narratives. Joel Ahofodji, a voice many have come to recognize in diplomatic corridors, confirmed on Wednesday that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will assemble an Extraordinary Council on April 22. The agenda? To grapple with the multifaceted challenge posed by the new import duty, among other…

The new import duty imposed on ECOWAS states is set to take effect immediately. Its intention is, ostensibly, to finance activities within the Sahel countries, leaving many curious minds questioning: What are these activities? Why now? This levy arrives at a significant crossroads for West African trade. For decades, the region has thrived on the principle of open exchanges as a bedrock of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Now, this pillar seems to be wavering. Consider…

A delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has recently arrived in Liberia, aiming to mediate a protracted conflict among lawmakers surrounding the potential removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa. This mission follows a previous attempt by ECOWAS that yielded minimal progress, leaving many to ponder: can diplomacy still prevail in such a charged political landscape? The current delegation is set to engage with a variety of stakeholders, including President Joseph Boakai and members of the National…

Imagine this: seated in a bustling conference room in Abuja on a warm Tuesday morning, Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, paints a vivid picture of the region's food security challenges. Yet, amid the swirling concerns, there's a distinct glimmer of hope. Speaking at the ECOWAS Regional Food Security Reserve Management Committee's third meeting, Kyari highlighted the power of food reserves in navigating crises. Though Kyari couldn't partake in person, he was…

ECOWAS Currency: Bridging West Africa The idea of a unified West African currency, known as the Eco, is as ambitious as it is inspiring. Imagine a future where crossing borders within West Africa doesn’t involve exchanging currencies—a future where trade and interaction flow seamlessly across countries. This is the vision behind the Eco, a currency anticipated to act as a unified medium of exchange, fostering trade and economic unity across the region. During a meeting held in Abuja—the heart of Nigeria’s administrative…

ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau: A Tense Political Landscape In a recent, unfolding drama that gripped West Africa, the regional bloc known as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) revealed an unexpected development. Its delegation stationed in Guinea-Bissau abruptly exited the nation on the first day of March. This sudden departure was precipitated by a startling ultimatum from the country's leader, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who threatened to expel the mission. It begs the question:…

Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, the three military-led West African nations, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), on the 29th January 2025. A year prior, they had announced their departure from their long-standing regional group, citing the bloc's inability to assist their efforts to combat terrorism, as well as its subservience to former colonial powers. Furthermore, for a little more than a year, the AES has been on a campaign to eradicate any traces of Western influence in…

The decision to initially prevent Nigerians with ECOWAS passports from entering Niger stems from the nation's recent withdrawal from the West African regional group known as ECOWAS. But why such a drastic move? It all circles back to the political tremors reverberating through the region. Niger's exit—occurring alongside fellow nations Mali and Burkina Faso—followed a trio of coups that placed military governments at their helm. Some attempts at negotiations fell flat, and eventually, their departure was solidified in…

In an intriguing turn of events, the ECOWAS Parliament has decided to send a delegation to Monrovia. Their mission? To tackle the ongoing political gridlock surrounding attempts by certain lawmakers to unseat Fonati Koffa, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Now, it's worth noting that while those aiming to displace the Speaker haven't managed to muster the necessary 49 votes as mandated by law, their actions have nonetheless halted legislative activities. They've effectively disrupted the usual proceedings by…