Experts hailing from the West African region have issued a call to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to take a proactive stance in monitoring economic and political indicators within the sub-region.
Their proposal suggests the use of automatic monitoring alongside diplomatic negotiations to address instances of military coups.
This call to action was made during a three-day high-level Parliamentary Seminar titled “The Challenges of Unconstitutional Regime Change and Presidential Term Limits in West Africa – Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” held in Winneba, Ghana.
Professor Raymond Atugba, Dean of the University of Ghana, emphasized the importance of early warning signals derived from monitoring political and economic indicators. He drew a parallel between the automatic financial mechanisms already in place within ECOWAS and the potential for similar automation in monitoring economic criteria.
Atugba remarked, “History serves as our guide. In the 1960s, we observed the rise of political power, but economic prosperity did not follow suit. Consequently, the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s witnessed a series of coups. However, ECOWAS granted clemency and allowed a return to the political arena in the 1990s. Subsequently, the year 2000 arrived, but economic progress remained elusive. What ensued? The threat of being ousted. It’s not a complex puzzle. Without economic progress complementing political advancements, the risk of political leaders facing ousting through coups looms.”
Atugba’s counsel extended to political aspirants, urging them to prioritize the economic well-being of their constituents if elected, as neglecting this aspect could lead to their removal through a coup.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former President of the ECOWAS Commission, called for a diplomatic and negotiated approach in addressing military takeovers within the sub-region. He advocated for African-led solutions to African problems, with ECOWAS taking the lead role.
Chambas asserted, “Once the dust settles, we must ensure that well-informed decisions and actions are taken. Coups should not be tolerated and the military must not feel at ease. Continuous pressure must be exerted on them. However, in the given context, diplomacy and negotiation should prevail. We face challenges in Africa, especially in the Sahel and the sub-region. Escalating conflicts militarily is not the answer.”
He added, “We must allow diplomacy to take precedence, and ECOWAS should play a pivotal role in seeking African solutions to address this African issue.“
