Faith Nyasuguta
West African leaders are gathering in Lagos this Wednesday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), amid mounting insecurity and political disunity threatening the organization’s relevance. Once praised as a stabilizing force in the region, ECOWAS now faces one of its most turbulent periods.
The milestone comes as the regional bloc contends with the fallout from the recent withdrawal of three key members, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all led by military juntas. Their departure has rattled the unity of ECOWAS and significantly weakened its influence in West Africa.
Experts say the exits highlight deeper problems in the bloc. “This is a significant setback to ECOWAS’ founding vision,” said Kwesi Aning of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center. “It reflects disturbing governance trends among its leadership.”
Security is also a major concern. The Sahel region, which includes several ECOWAS nations, has become the world’s terrorism epicenter for the second year in a row. A recent Global Terrorism Index report revealed that the region accounted for over half of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024. Armed groups have exploited the rifts between member states to expand their reach, especially in areas like Lake Chad, Benin, and northern Nigeria.
Nigeria, the largest economy in the region, was once expected to serve as ECOWAS’ stabilizing anchor. But its internal struggles, from political instability and corruption to ongoing Boko Haram violence, have severely hampered its capacity to lead. According to a new report by SBM Intelligence, Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges have eroded trust in its ability to uphold ECOWAS’ core mission.
The string of coups in recent years has only worsened the situation. Nearly half of ECOWAS member states have experienced military takeovers or attempted coups over the last decade, highlighting growing public discontent and distrust in civilian governments. This wave of instability has not only threatened democracy but also disrupted trade ties and cross-border cooperation.
As the organization reflects on five decades of regional cooperation, both Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ECOWAS’ current chair, and General Yakubu Gowon, a co-founder of the bloc, are expected to speak at the Lagos ceremony. Their speeches will likely call for renewed unity, but the path forward remains murky.
The meeting also comes amid growing concern over U.S. aid cuts and regional tariffs, which could further strain already fragile economies. As ECOWAS commemorates its golden jubilee, leaders face a difficult choice: reassert the organization’s vision or risk fading into irrelevance in an increasingly fractured region.
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