A local governmental and financial cooperation of fifteen West African nations is known as the Economic Community of West African States. The outlined intent of this agreement is to accomplish the “idea of self” for its national governments by forging a single substantial trade alliance. It is one of the key domestic alliances of the continent-wide African Economic Community (AEC).
In periods of economic disturbance and volatility, the treaty acts as a tool for regional peacekeeping, with participating countries periodically sending combined military units to assist the bloc’s participating nations.
The ECOWAS, which encompasses a region formerly described as the “coup belt,” has made an effort to preserve the area’s transition to freedom against dictatorial attacks. The organization has, however, come under fire for its timid and inefficient reactions to armed coups d’états in three of its member countries.
Member states
15 countries make up ECOWAS; five of them speak English, eight speak French, and two speak Portuguese. Except for Cape Verde, who signed in 1977, all existing nations entered the organization as founders in May 1975. Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, Cape Verde, Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau are included in zone A. Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, Niger, Burkina Faso, and the Ivory Coast are all included in Zone B.
The sole previous participant is the Arabic-speaking nation of Mauritania, which was a founder partner before choosing to leave.
In 2017, Morocco made a formal application to join the trade deal. At the same year’s meeting of chiefs of the country, the request was received in general, but Morocco’s request for participation stagnated. Following their military coup, participating states expelled Mali and Guinea. Burkina Faso was likewise expelled from the deal on January 28, 2022, for the same reason.
Structure
The sole previous participant of ECOWAS is the Arabic-speaking nation of Mauritania, which was a founder partner before choosing to leave.
The Council and the Bank for Growth and Investment are the two functioning organizations that carry out the organization’s programs.
The West African Medical Institution, Committee, Community World court, Public Council, Bank for Growth and Investment, and Inter-Governmental Taskforce against Financial Crime in West Africa are also included in ECOWAS.
There are two sub-regional groups within ECOWAS:
- The West African Economic and Monetary Community is composed of eight predominantly French-speaking governments. Founded in 1994 to balance the bloc’s predominance of English-speaking economies.
- The West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) is a group of six ECOWAS nations, the majority of which speak English, that are working to embrace the eco as their own shared currency.
Tourism
The establishment of guidelines, rules, and regulatory mechanisms is a key component of ECOWAS’s Eco tour Implementation Strategy, which was just announced. The strategy establishes five execution modules as well as comprehensive surveillance and assessment procedures. Ecotourism has the potential to establish connections between organizations and shareholder collaboration.
Sport
The ECOWAS body oversees the organization of a wide variety of cultural and sporting events. African classical wrestling was designated as the common sport by the ministerial conference responsible for sports and youth advancement. The Organization also organizes the ECOWAS International Cycling Tour, which travels from Lagos to Accra or Abidjan with close to 100 cyclists from each member state.
Community court of justice
A convention adopted in 1991 established the International Court of Law, which was later incorporated into Article 6 of the Amended Constitution of the Union in 1993. It enables rulings on issues between governments regarding how the Modified Treaty should be interpreted. Additionally, it offers legal consulting views to the Council.
Objectives
ECOWAS goals are as follows:
- To improve the level of life for its citizens,
- Preserve and strengthen financial stability,
- Promote ties between participating countries, and
- The advancement and growth of the African region.
