A coalition of Civil Society Organizations in West Africa has strongly advocated for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to dispatch an all-female delegation to convince the military leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to rejoin the regional bloc. This appeal was made during a diaspora community engagement organized by the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) in Abuja.

Paul Osei Kuffour, the Network Coordinator of WADEMOS, highlighted the necessity for ECOWAS to reevaluate processes aimed at reinstating democratic governance. He also emphasized the significant impact of misinformation and disinformation, which have contributed to a growing mistrust of ECOWAS among West African citizens. Kuffour cited recent constitutional amendments in Togo and Guinea as examples of how leaders manipulate legal frameworks for personal gain, further exacerbating the disconnect between elected officials and the populace.

The Sahel countries, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, officially communicated their decision to withdraw from ECOWAS in January after facing sanctions due to military takeovers. Despite attempts by influential figures and the lifting of sanctions, the countries have not responded positively to ECOWAS’ efforts to engage with them. Furthermore, the departure of the Sahel countries may lead to further instability and disintegration within the subregion.

Ebere Ifendu, President of the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), also advocated for an all-female delegation to engage in dialogue with the military leaders in the affected countries. She underscored the need for decisive actions from ECOWAS leaders to address the region’s crises and emphasized the potential ripple effect of Nigerian instability on neighboring countries.

The co-chair of the WADEMOS steering committee, Aliou Barry, and guest speaker Emmanuel Yeboah, reiterated the organization’s commitment to combating democratic backsliding in the subregion. They highlighted the adverse consequences of poor governance, including military takeovers and compromised regional security. Sekur Kaba, the President of I’UREM-CEDAO in Côte d’Ivoire, urged diaspora associations to unite in reintegrating the Sahel countries into ECOWAS to mitigate the hardships faced under the sanctions.

The coalition’s collective plea to deploy an all-female delegation and engage additional multilateral actors, such as the African Union, underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to resolve the challenges facing the Sahel countries and the larger West African region. As the call for female leadership gains momentum, it is apparent that proactive and inclusive measures are crucial to foster peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

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