The 69th ECOWAS summit is underway in Freetown, Sierra Leone, marking a pivotal moment for the Economic Community of West African States. As ECOWAS convenes this Sunday, it does so without three key member nations: Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, who have opted to forge their own path within the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This significant absence will undoubtedly be a central topic, as the organization seeks to bolster its image and address pressing regional security challenges.

Charting a future for ECOWAS without Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso

Beyond the symbolic implications, West African leaders face a critical question: how will ECOWAS redefine its future following the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, now unified under the Confédération des États du Sahel?

Even with their withdrawal, these three nations remain indispensable neighbors. Consequently, heads of state are expected to explore avenues for dialogue to safeguard vital commercial exchanges, ensure the free movement of people, and, crucially, reinforce security cooperation against a cross-border terrorist threat.

According to Aliou Diakite, an expert on ECOWAS affairs, the stakes are exceptionally high. He emphasizes the necessity to “discuss the future of ECOWAS and the governance and security challenges currently confronting the ECOWAS region, given organized crime linked to terrorism, political transitions during elections, climate change, and other issues like epidemics and pandemics. These are the critical points that compel heads of state and government to deliberate on the trajectory of ECOWAS in the coming years.”

ECOWAS standby force: still awaiting operational status

While numerous issues of importance to West African populations are on the agenda, some have lingered unresolved across successive summits.

A prime example is the ECOWAS Standby Force. Despite being announced years ago, this regional force has yet to become fully operational. It is envisioned as a rapid response mechanism to combat terrorism, political crises, and other threats to regional stability.

Preparatory meetings involving ministers and security officials held in Freetown this week underscore a collective resolve among several states to expedite its implementation.

Michel Ange Bangoura, a Guinean official overseeing cooperation with ECOWAS, remarks: “Regarding ECOWAS institutional frameworks, everything is in order on paper. The remaining challenge lies in securing the necessary resources for its deployment, establishing its headquarters, and ensuring each member country contributes at least a company.”

When questioned about a projected timeline for the force’s activation, Michel Ange Bangoura responded: “I believe that during the ongoing discussions at this session, the deployment of said force in the near future will be addressed. This includes at least the assembly of units in a designated host country.”

The summit is also expected to delve into ECOWAS institutional reforms and the imperative to restore the organization’s credibility, which has been challenged by several years of political crises and coups across the region.