ECOWAS at 50: Navigating the Dual Crises of Extremism and Political Turmoil in West Africa

Marking half a century since its inception, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) confronts an unprecedented period marked by escalating jihadist insurgencies and a wave of military takeovers. The Sahel region, in particular, has become a battleground where extremist factions affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS exploit fragile political landscapes and widespread socio-economic grievances. Concurrently, recurrent coups have destabilized democratic institutions across member countries, casting doubt on ECOWAS’s capacity to uphold peace and governance standards it has championed for decades. This analysis explores the complex interplay between violent extremism and political instability in West Africa while evaluating ECOWAS’s evolving strategies amid these mounting challenges.

Rising Extremism Meets Political Fragility: A Test to ECOWAS’s Authority

West Africa is currently facing an alarming surge in jihadist violence that threatens regional security frameworks. Nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have emerged as epicenters for militant groups linked to global terror networks like al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and ISIS affiliates. These armed factions not only perpetrate attacks that destabilize local communities but also trigger humanitarian emergencies affecting millions.

This surge coincides with increasing political volatility characterized…