The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has issued a clarion call to citizens across the West African sub-region, urging them to actively support efforts aimed at bolstering the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This call to action comes at a time when the region is grappling with a multitude of challenges, including democratic backsliding, security threats, and socio-economic instability. WADEMOS argues that these multifaceted issues have exposed inherent weaknesses within ECOWAS, hindering its ability to effectively address the escalating crises and fulfill its mandate of regional integration and stability. The network emphasizes the urgent need for a concerted effort from both political leaders and citizens to revitalize ECOWAS and safeguard the future of the sub-region.
Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Technical Advisor to the WADEMOS Secretariat, articulated the organization’s concerns during the opening of the Annual Civil Society Regional Convening. He highlighted the precarious situation facing West Africa, citing the recent withdrawal of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali from ECOWAS, as prime examples of the organization’s declining influence. These withdrawals, coupled with constitutional breaches in countries like Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, where presidents have manipulated constitutional provisions to extend their terms beyond established limits, paint a worrisome picture of democratic erosion within the sub-region. Dr. Asante underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the entire sub-region stands to suffer should ECOWAS fail to effectively address these challenges and deliver on its core mandate.
Dr. Asante warned against complacency, stressing that the instability plaguing the region is not a localized problem but a shared concern that affects everyone. He used the example of cross-border jihadist movements from Burkina Faso into Ghana to illustrate the interconnectedness of security threats. He further explained that regional instability disrupts trade and economic activities, hindering the free movement of people and goods, thereby undermining the very foundation of ECOWAS’s integration agenda. He argued that citizens must recognize the interconnectedness of these issues and actively participate in efforts to strengthen ECOWAS, as their collective well-being is at stake.
WADEMOS advocates for a more inclusive and participatory approach to regional governance, calling on ECOWAS to expedite the formation of the Economic and Social Platform. This platform, envisioned as a formal decision-making structure, would provide civil society organizations with a direct channel to contribute to ECOWAS processes. Dr. Asante believes that incorporating civil society perspectives is crucial for rebuilding ECOWAS and effectively addressing the multifaceted threats confronting the sub-region. He argues that a stronger, more inclusive ECOWAS is essential for tackling the complex challenges and fostering regional stability.
The 2025 Annual Civil Society Regional Convening, themed “Leveraging the CSOs Solidarity Movement in Defence of Democracy Across West Africa: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Perspectives”, served as a platform for dialogue and consensus-building among civil society organizations, social movements, and pro-democracy actors. The convening aimed to develop key strategies for strengthening civil society advocacy and activism, focusing on promoting regional integration, defending democratic principles, and fostering peace and security across West Africa.
In essence, WADEMOS, through its advocacy and the annual convening, is championing a revitalized and more inclusive ECOWAS. The organization believes that a stronger ECOWAS, empowered by active citizen participation and informed by the perspectives of civil society organizations, is essential for navigating the complex challenges confronting the sub-region and realizing its potential for peace, stability, and sustainable development. The call to action resonates with a sense of urgency, emphasizing that the future of West Africa hinges on the collective efforts of its citizens and the effectiveness of its regional institutions.
