West Africa is facing a severe crisis as its stability and political cohesion are under immense pressure. The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has been summoned for an emergency meeting to discuss the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the 15-member bloc. However, the agenda has been further complicated by Senegal’s decision to postpone the presidential election, causing uproar among the opposition and civil society. This crisis raises concerns about Ecowas’ ability to maintain a united front in defending constitutional rule in the face of military regimes that have emerged in the region since 2020.
The decision of Senegal’s President, Macky Sall, to extend his stay in power by nine months has created speculation about his ultimate goal of abandoning his promise to step down and running for another term. This move undermines the democratic principles that Ecowas seeks to uphold and raises questions about the bloc’s ability to resist and reverse the tide of coups in the region. Ecowas has struggled to exert pressure on the military leaders in the Sahel region, and economic sanctions have only fueled popular resentment, strengthening support for the military regimes in the short term.
One of the challenges for Ecowas is the accusation of hypocrisy or double standards, as the bloc often fails to take strong action against elected civilian leaders who manipulate the constitution to prolong their stay in office. This undermines Ecowas’ moral leverage and its ability to mobilize public support for restoring democracy in coup-stricken countries. Ecowas policymakers have recognized the need to strengthen the rules and penalize constitutional manipulation, but these changes have not been finalized or approved.
Ecowas’ response to President Sall’s decision to postpone the Senegalese election will be critical. The bloc has traditionally relied on peer-group pressure as a tool to promote democratic governance, but its diplomatic clout has been limited, particularly in larger and more influential countries. Ecowas must restore regional unity in the long term and rely on pressure from ordinary citizens in the Sahel states to make a difference. However, the urgency of the threat to Senegal’s democracy cannot be ignored, as the country’s political system is built on fundamental principles and institutions.
If Ecowas fails to defend basic constitutional principles and adopts a soft stance towards incumbent civilian leaders, its credibility as a defender of democratic values will be severely damaged. West Africans will lose faith in the bloc’s commitment to common democratic principles, undermining regional stability and cohesion.
It is essential for Ecowas to take decisive action to address the crisis in West Africa. The bloc should prioritize restoring regional unity, strengthening democratic governance standards, and pressuring coup leaders to restore democratic rule. Ecowas must also address accusations of double standards and hypocrisy to regain public trust and credibility. Failure to do so could have long-term implications for the stability of the region and the success of Ecowas as a regional organization.
