ECOWAS : the case for political integration as a prelude to economic integration in West Africa

Abstract

The formation of the Economic Community of West African States in 1975 is nothing short of the realization of a long dream of the West African countries. In particular, the agreement by the Anglophone and Francophone countries to establish ECOWAS is a welcome development in itself in spite of their different colonial backgrounds. The aims, objectives, and protocols embodied in the ECOWAS Treaty are unique in the realization of their underdeveloped economies. These aims and objectives are only a fractional part of the economic integration process. Translating the aims and objectives into pragmatic terms, however, has been fraught with difficulties due to member-countries' ill-conceived macro-economic policies, the entrenchment of the subregion into the global economy, the proliferation of repressive military and authoritarian regimes most of which preclude democratic practices, inadequate use of productive resources, the debt crisis forcing ECOWAS states to restructure their economies through the IMF-imposed structural adjustment programs. Most states cannot even fulfill their avowed commitment to ECOWAS, thus impeding development initiatives envisaged. It is for these reasons, among others, that this thesis strongly advocates for political cooperation which will eventually lead to effective economic integration. After all, the establishment of the European Community and the Latin American Integration Association were both preceded by political cooperation which eventually evolved into economic integration respectively.