Military Regimes’ Propaganda Machinery Versus Fifty Years of ECOWAS Institutional Impact and Achievements.
By Raymond Enoch
As ECOWAS celebrates five decades of transformative regional integration and cooperation, the institution’s remarkable impact and achievements in promoting stability, peace, and economic growth across West Africa face a growing threat from the propaganda machinery of military regimes. Since its formation in 1975, ECOWAS has been a symbol of hope, stability, and collective progress for West African nations. However, recent political developments in countries like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, marked by military coups, bring into focus the stark contrast between the long-standing accomplishments of ECOWAS and the disruptive narratives propagated by military leaders who see themselves as ” corrective regimes” in the life of their countries.
Over the past 50 years, ECOWAS has become a cornerstone of regional cooperation, playing a critical role in conflict resolution, facilitating trade agreements, initiating activities in Agriculture and Food Security, Cultural Heritage and learning youth and gender inclusion and championing democratic governance. The institution has not only provided a platform for political dialogue but has also spurred critical infrastructure development roads and effective border control, supported job creation, and boosted economic integration among member states. These efforts have greatly contributed to regional stability, making West Africa one of the more resilient regions in an often unstable global landscape.
Yet, as military juntas have taken power in several countries, they have used chief propaganda to undermine ECOWAS’ achievements, casting the institution’s efforts as irrelevant or counterproductive to their perceived national interests. The leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, driven by a combination of “nationalist sentiment” and political ambition, have employed a variety of narratives to justify their actions, including framing ECOWAS as an external force imposing foreign influence or obstructing sovereign decision-making.
This rhetoric, while appealing to certain segments of the population, overlooks the historical and practical significance of ECOWAS. The organization has consistently demonstrated its ability to mediate disputes, manage regional crises, and offer development support that has benefited millions of West Africans, including the citizens of these very countries. From providing peacekeeping forces to promoting trade and infrastructure projects, ECOWAS’ impact has been far-reaching and transformative.
It is essential for the people of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to recognize that their countries’ membership in ECOWAS has brought them tangible benefits, including regional security and economic opportunities. The military regimes’ claims may offer short-term political gains, but they threaten to unravel decades of progress that have been built on cooperation, democracy, and mutual benefit. The long-term stability and prosperity of these nations depend on continuing to engage with regional institutions like ECOWAS, not distancing themselves from them due to the self-serving narratives of military rulers which might be limited at the end of the day.
Democracy and good governance, are core values upheld by ECOWAS, and this stand in direct opposition to the military coups that have recently taken hold in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. These military regimes must understand that their actions are not merely a temporary political disruption; they have the potential to undermine the very structures that have supported the region’s growth and cohesion. The idea of governance based on the will of the people, rather than through military force, is what ECOWAS has strived to protect and nurture for the past five decades.
As the world faces a turbulent geopolitical landscape—with ongoing conflicts in Europe, the migration crisis, and global economic instability—West Africa must prioritize strengthening its regional institutions. The vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS remains as relevant today as it was 50 years ago: a united West Africa built on democracy, sustainable development, and cooperation.
It is now more critical than ever for the leaders of ECOWAS member states to reaffirm their commitment to these ideals and reject the destabilizing narratives of military regimes. Strengthening ECOWAS, not weakening it, should be the central focus of West African leaders as they work toward a future of greater prosperity, peace, and regional unity.
About the Writer
Raymond Enoch is a political analyst and journalist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He focuses on West African governance and regional integration, providing insightful analysis on the challenges facing the region and emphasizing the importance of strong institutions like ECOWAS for sustainable development.
