Abuja: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been identified as Africa’s most stable regional economic community, despite facing significant existential threats. ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, emphasized this status in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Musah highlighted the challenges posed by violent extremism and terrorism in West Africa, noting that these threats have not led to disintegration, thanks to the preventive mechanisms implemented by regional leaders. He credited the collaboration between ECOWAS and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA IV), a security framework funded by the European Union through the African Union, for providing a roadmap to stabilize the region.
The APSA IV Programme, introduced in February 2020, aims to enhance peace, security, and stability in Africa with a substantial financial commitment of 40.5 million euros from the European Union, to be utilized until December 31, 2025. Musah explained that ECOWAS has leveraged this framework alongside the Africa Governance Architecture to maintain stability in the sub-region.
Through collaboration with the African Union, ECOWAS has implemented sub-regional mechanisms, particularly the ECOWAS Protocol on the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security, adopted in 1999. The EU’s support has been instrumental in strengthening institutional stability and human capacity-building across ECOWAS institutions in the sub-region.
Musah noted the significant successes of the APSA IV framework, particularly in supporting ECOWAS’s Early Warning mechanisms, peace-building efforts, and conflict management and resolution. This support has been crucial in preventing tensions from escalating into crises.
APSA IV funding has also enhanced research and capacity-building efforts, including evidence-based studies on the impact of misinformation and disinformation. Furthermore, Musah attributed violent extremism and terrorism to global fragmentations, acknowledging these challenges are not unique to West Africa.
In response to these threats, ECOWAS has established a Counterterrorism Brigade of approximately 1,500 forces, aligning with the APSA IV framework and the ECOWAS Standby Force mechanism. Musah emphasized that despite predictions of regional instability, ECOWAS has maintained relative stability, making it a model for other regional economic communities.
Musah highlighted that while other regions in Africa face ongoing crises, West Africa remains stable despite the global phenomenon of terrorism. The ECOWAS sub-region does not experience conflicts between countries, setting it apart from other areas in Africa.
The commissioner praised ECOWAS’s successful initiatives and frameworks, which have positioned it as a leader in regional integration. The recent adoption of the Compact of the Future of ECOWAS by Heads of State and Government aims to redefine the future of West African integration.