Can West Africa truly emerge from the cycle of instability? The recent lifting of sanctions on Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso by ECOWAS offers a glimmer of hope. However, significant challenges persist, including deep-seated grievances, ongoing insecurity, and complex regional dynamics. This piece poses crucial questions: How can we address the root causes of the recent unrest? What multi-pronged approach is needed to achieve lasting peace and prosperity? How can individuals, governments, and international organizations work together to build a more stable and prosperous West Africa for all?


Dear West Africa,

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) recently lifted impasses placed on the countries of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The sanctions, which included travel bans, asset freezes and suspension of trade and financial transactions, were imposed in response to the coups that toppled the democratically elected governments of the three countries in 2020, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

In January 2024, citing economic and diplomatic isolation, betrayal of founding principles, foreign influence, and lack of support against insecurity, the three countries withdrew from ECOWAS and strengthened ties with Russia, which swiftly offered to build a nuclear power plant for Mali and Burkina Faso and introduced the African Mercenary Corps as a form of military assistance.

The three have also started cooperating under a pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and have sought to form a confederation, although the extent of their planned political, economic, and security integration remains unclear amidst the ongoing struggle against Islamist insurgents for over a decade.

While this move by ECOWAS signifies a willingness to de-escalate tensions and alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by the restrictions.The lifting of the sanctions does not mean that the fiascos are over. The underlying issues that sparked the coups and strained relations with ECOWAS remain unresolved, demanding a deeper, more nuanced approach.

Unearthing The Roots

The seeds of the recent political turmoil were sown in fertile ground. Deep-seated dissatisfaction with the performance of governments, accused of mismanagement, human rights violations, and rigged elections, fueled public anxieties. This, coupled with the ongoing insecurity caused by armed rebels and jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, created an environment ripe for military intervention. The military, claiming neglect and inadequate resources to combat these threats, ultimately seized power.
Ignoring these grievances would be akin to ignoring the root of the problem.



A kinetic approach



The path forward necessitates a multi-pronged strategy that tackles the root causes of instability:

1. Prioritizing Good Governance:
Transparency, accountability, and the rule of law must be the bedrock of any future government. The military juntas must commit to concrete timelines for democratic transitions, similar to the roadmap outlined by Ghana's military government in 1992, ensuring free and fair elections. They should create inclusive spaces for civil society and opposition voices, fostering a sense of shared ownership in rebuilding a just and equitable society.

2. Bolstering Security: As per the directive from the ECOWAS Authority, the Commission should promptly convene a meeting of Finance and Defence Ministers to finalize modalities for operationalizing the Standby Force for counter-terrorism, including the Multinational Joint task force (MNJTF) and Accra Initiative elements.
Terrorism and insecurity transcend national borders. Regional cooperation and a unified strategy are crucial. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso must work closely with ECOWAS and other partners, like the G5 Sahel force, to strengthen intelligence sharing, enhance military capabilities through joint training exercises, and address the root causes of extremism, such as poverty and lack of opportunity. Community-based initiatives like Nigeria’s Operation Safe Corridors (OPSC), a deradicalization program aimed at deradicalization, rehabilitating, and reintegrating low-risk terrorists.

3. Tackling Economic Woes: The region faces immense economic challenges. Diversifying economies, attracting responsible investments, and creating jobs for the youth are paramount. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through microloans and skills training programs like those offered by Senegal's Agence Nationale pour la Promotion de l'Emploi des Jeunes (ANPEJ), investing in agriculture and renewable energy projects, and promoting regional trade initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can unlock the potential for sustainable development.

4. Open Dialogue and Mutual Respect: Lifting sanctions is not an endgame, but an invitation to renewed dialogue and mutual respect, a chance to move beyond adversarial positions. Leaders in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso must reciprocate by demonstrably committing to democracy, regional cooperation, and human rights. This includes releasing political prisoners like Niger's Mohamed Bazoum and others across the region.

5. Building Trust and Reintegration: ECOWAS, under president Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership, must prioritize balanced development, strengthen conflict resolution mechanisms, and engage with international partners like the UN, AU, EU, and US to support both the exited nations and the region's pursuit of peace and development. Additionally, facilitating their reintegration requires supporting transparent elections, establishing independent human rights mechanisms, and addressing concerns about foreign influence, mercenary presence, and state sovereignty while ensuring ECOWAS' actions serve the best interests of all members.

Insights from collective Journeys



To truly stabilize West Africa, tackling the roots of instability, fostering democratic transitions, and building shared prosperity and security requires a collective effort. Individuals advocating for peace and human rights, governments leading reforms, and international organizations mediating conflicts and supporting sustainable development all play crucial roles in this complex endeavor.

While significant challenges remain, hope emerges from successful African regional cooperation models. Notably, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) effectively addressed regional insecurity through the 1999 COPAX Protocol, a framework for joint military operations.

The Mano River Union, formed after years of civil wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, has fostered peace and economic cooperation. These examples demonstrate that collaboration and shared commitment can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

From spectators to participants

Upholding democracy: Active participation is crucial for holding leaders accountable and ensuring just governance.

Ultimately, the responsibility for building a peaceful and prosperous West Africa lies with us all. By taking action, big or small, we can contribute to a future where the people of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, along with their neighbors, can thrive under just and accountable governments, free from fear and insecurity. Let us not be mere spectators in this game, but active participants working actively towards a brighter future for all.
The lifting of the sanctions by ECOWAS is a step in the right direction, but it is not the destination.It is a time for ECOWAS, but not for ECOWAS alone. It is a time for Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, a time for Africa and a time for global peace for us all.

abek. remof the pikture SpaceMarshall

thesolutions:
abek. remof the pikture SpaceMarshall

Why sir?

Why the change of mind

SpaceMarshall:


Why sir?

My eyes can not take it.

thesolutions:

My eyes can not take it.

Africa must be great in our days.

SpaceMarshall:


Africa must be great in our days.

Not with fake AI image.

Africa is already the greatest continent in the world.

They better continue with their new found freedom, Confederacy etc , coming back to ecowas will be their biggest undoing.

thesolutions:

Not with fake AI image.

Africa is already the greatest continent in the world.

The image should not obstruct your thought flow.

"Africa is already the greatest continent in the world"... is a statement in motion.