Policies that will drive investment and change the structure of economies in the West African sub region are facing several challenges.
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Articles on Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Displaying 61 - 80 of 82 articles
Ghana is taking advantage of its strategic location in Africa
There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic about Bissau-Guinean politics going forward.
Africa’s new continental free trade area, the AfCFTA, is a remarkable achievement. However, decisive diplomatic, technical and social action is needed for it to succeed.
Conflict patterns in Africa have changed rapidly in recent years posing a challenge to peace and security.
Africa needs strong institutions. But they can only be built if there’s a change in leadership.
West Africa has lessons to learn from its ancient empires and colonial governments on regional trade and integration.
With frequent irregularities, it’s easy to become cynical about elections in Africa. But polls are an essential component of the continent’s growing democracy.
West African leaders have nursed the idea of a common currency for the sub-region since the turn of the century. But conditions for member countries to make this happen appear unattainable.
The need to connect African markets to aid development will once again be discussed at the World Economic Forum. The debate needs to move beyond the usual rhetoric.
Morocco has been on a massive diplomatic drive, using both its political and economic muscle. Since his coronation in 1999, the king has led over 40 visits to African countries south of the Sahara.
Former Chadian president Hissène Habré’s fate will be sealed by the appeals judgment in a part domestic and international trial bringing closure to victims and human rights champions after a 20 years.
The adoption of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance five years ago raised hopes for a new democratic Africa. But its ideals remain elusive for many parts of the continent.
There’s still hope South Sudan can avoid becoming a full failed state. This will require radical changes in Juba’s mindset and bolder action from regional and international players.
Attempts to deepen democracy in Africa by limiting presidential terms to two have not entirely quashed a culture of entitlement to rule. Glimpses of it persist, much against citizens’ wishes.
Regional power Ecowas, which has just seen off yet another dictator in Yahya Jammeh, started off with a tame agenda 42 years ago. But it was soon shaped by civil wars, military coups and despots
Although Ecowas and the AU made sure that Yahya Jammeh stepped down after losing the elections in The Gambia, caution is warranted in assuming this heralds a trend against African dictatorships.
SADC’s credibility is at stake. Its lack of political will in acting decisively against despots is at odds with the African Union’s goal of promoting legitimate governance on the continent.
Military intervention is sanctioned and executed by states. It is thus always a function of state interests rather than the objective enforcement of law. The case of The Gambia is no different.
Yahya Jammeh will certainly be removed if West Africa decides to use force. But that will come at a heavy price for The Gambia, the neighbouring states and the world as a whole
Top contributors
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Senior lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Leeds Beckett University
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Lecturer in Political Economy, SOAS, University of London
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Associate professor, University of Central Florida
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Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town
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Doctoral Research Fellow, Conflict, Violence, & Terrorism Research Centre, Royal Holloway University of London
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Director & SARChI Research Chair: Political Economy of Migration in the SADC Region, University of Pretoria
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Assistant Professor of Political Science, Lakehead University
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PhD candidate, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
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Research Affiliate and Senior Analyst, University of Central Florida
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Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs in the College of Distance Education, US Naval War College
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Research fellow, Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS), United Nations University
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Professor of International Relations and Visiting Scholar, Texas State University
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Associate Professor of Strategy & IB, University of Bath
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Researcher in conflict, peace and security, University of Nottingham
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Extraordinary Lecturer, University of Pretoria
