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Picture Courtesy:  ECOWAS

 Context:

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a high-level conference in Lagos, Nigeria.  

About ECOWAS

It is a regional political and economic union of fifteen countries located in West Africa.

Its main goal is to promote economic cooperation and integration among its member states to raise living standards and promote stability in the region.

ECOWAS was founded in 1975, through the signing of the Treaty of Lagos. Its founding was driven by the vision of creating a large trading bloc to promote economic self-sufficiency for its member nations.   

Primary Goals:

• To create a single, large trading bloc through a customs union and a common market.
• To achieve free movement of people, goods, and capital within the region.
• To promote peace, security, and democracy among its member states.
• To harmonize agricultural, industrial, and monetary policies.

Member States

ECOWAS currently comprises 12 member states: Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024, forming a separate bloc called the Alliance of Sahel States.

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Key Institutions of ECOWAS

The Authority of Heads of State and Government => This is the supreme decision-making body, comprising the leaders of all member states.

The Council of Ministers => This council is made up of ministers from each member state (usually Foreign Affairs and Economic Planning ministers). It oversees the functioning of the organization and makes recommendations to the Authority.

The ECOWAS Commission => This is the executive arm, similar to a secretariat. Headed by a President, it implements the policies and decisions made by the Authority and Council. It is based in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Community Court of Justice => This court ensures the interpretation and application of ECOWAS treaties. Its rulings are binding on member states, and it also handles cases of human rights violations.

The Community Parliament =>This body provides a forum for dialogue and consultation. While it is currently not a legislative body with law-making powers, it plays an important advisory role.

Major Achievements

Free Movement of People: The ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, Residence and Establishment allows citizens of member states to travel to other member countries without a visa for up to 90 days.

Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution: ECOWAS has a strong record of military and diplomatic intervention to restore peace and order. Its military wing, ECOMOG (ECOWAS Cease-fire Monitoring Group), played a key role in ending civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.  

Economic Integration: Creating a customs union with a Common External Tariff (CET); member states apply the same customs duties to imports from outside the region, which simplifies trade.  

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Source: 

ECOWAS