The 69th summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is currently underway in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking a crucial moment for the regional bloc. As leaders convene this Sunday, ECOWAS finds itself without three key members: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Discussions are expected to revisit the reintegration of these nations and address pressing security challenges to bolster ECOWAS’s regional influence and stability across West Africa.

charting a course for ECOWAS without Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso?

Beyond the symbolic implications, West African leaders confront a fundamental question: how will ECOWAS redefine its future following the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, now aligned within the Confederation of Sahel States?

Despite their withdrawal, these three nations remain indispensable neighbors. Heads of state are therefore anticipated to explore avenues for dialogue, aiming to safeguard commercial exchanges, ensure the free movement of people, and critically, maintain security cooperation against a cross-border terrorist threat. Addressing Mali security and broader regional stability remains paramount.

Aliou Diakite, a prominent ECOWAS expert, emphasized the significant stakes involved. He articulated the need to “deliberate on the future of ECOWAS and address contemporary governance and security issues within the ECOWAS sphere. This includes tackling organized crime linked to terrorism, political shifts during elections, climate change, and various epidemics and pandemics. These are the crucial matters compelling heads of state and government to discuss the trajectory of ECOWAS in the coming years.”

ECOWAS standby force: still awaiting full operational status

Many issues of vital importance to West African populations consistently reappear on summit agendas, with some remaining unresolved over extended periods.

A prime example is the ECOWAS Standby Force. Despite being announced years ago, this regional force has yet to achieve full operational readiness. It is envisioned as a rapid response mechanism to counter terrorism, political crises, and broader threats to regional stability.

Preparatory meetings involving ministers and security officials held this week in Freetown underscore the commitment of several member states to expedite its deployment.

Michel Ange Bangoura, Guinea’s representative for ECOWAS cooperation, stated, “Institutionally, ECOWAS has everything in order on paper. The challenge now is securing the necessary resources for its deployment, establishing a headquarters, and ensuring each nation contributes at least one company.”

When asked about a projected timeline for the force’s implementation, Bangoura responded, “I believe that during our current discussions at this session, the deployment of this force in the short term will be a key topic. This includes at least its assembly in a designated host country.”

The summit agenda also encompasses institutional reforms for ECOWAS and the urgent need to restore the organization’s credibility, which has been impacted by years of political crises and coups d’état across the region.