Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso boycotted the ECOWAS Defence Staff Meeting, highlighting their continued disengagement from the bloc since their exit in January 2024. The meeting focused on developing strategies to address security gaps and combat terrorism. WADEMOS expressed concerns over political instability in West Africa, emphasizing the need for democratic reforms amid rising authoritarianism in several countries, such as Togo and Guinea Bissau.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recently boycotted the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, held in Abuja. This marks a continuation of their absence since they announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024. Their exit not only weakens ECOWAS’s numbers but also disrupts regional security cooperation aimed at combating insurgency and organized crime in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and West Africa.

In response to these developments, the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs convened to devise a new security strategy that addresses the gaps left by the departure of these nations. During the meeting, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, emphasized the need for a re-evaluation of counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in light of the diminished strength of their military pledge due to the withdrawal of the three Sahelian countries.

The meeting culminated in closing remarks by General Christopher Musa, Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff, who stressed the importance of collaborative action to tackle regional security threats. He mentioned critical vulnerabilities to security, the review of the ECOWAS Standby Force, and the pledges for the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorist Brigade as pertinent topics discussed during their deliberations.

In parallel, the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) expressed concern regarding the military interventions affecting political stability in West Africa. Following its 3rd Annual Regional Convening in Accra, participants highlighted challenges to democracy, particularly those that threaten the progress made in political and economic integration over the last fifty years. They voiced concerns regarding escalating turmoil in countries such as Togo, Guinea Bissau, and Guinea Conakry.

Furthermore, the participants denounced recent constitutional changes in Togo, considered a “constitutional coup,” engineered to bypass presidential term limits before forthcoming elections. In Guinea Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s increasing authoritarianism raises alarms about democratic principles. In Guinea Conakry, the military junta’s repeated postponements of elections raise doubts regarding the country’s political future.

In The Gambia, the lack of constitutional reforms is generating uncertainty ahead of the 2026 presidential elections. Côte d’Ivoire’s political environment is similarly volatile, with President Alassane Ouattara’s decision to seek a fourth term, reversing an earlier commitment against re-election, further unsettling the situation. ECOWAS, once regarded as a leader in fostering democracy, now faces significant challenges to its cohesion, prompting calls for vital reforms.

In conclusion, WADEMOS participants called for commitment to democratic principles, acknowledging a decline in support for democracy over the past decade while highlighting a persistent demand for accountability and rule of law. Concerns were also raised about the diminishing civic space and foreign interference affecting democratic processes, which underscores the urgent need for a renewed focus on stability and adherence to democratic norms across the region.

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso’s continued absence from ECOWAS meetings represents a severe blow to regional security efforts. The challenge posed by these withdrawals, paired with rising political instability in various West African nations, necessitates urgent attention to democratization and security strategies. Additionally, WADEMOS urges collective adherence to democratic values and reforms to combat the growing threats that undermine regional stability and cooperation.

Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com

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