West Africa continues to grapple with a wave of military coups that have unsettled democratic governance across the sub-region. From Mali and Burkina Faso to Niger and Guinea, elected governments have been overthrown amid public frustration over insecurity, economic hardship, and perceived leadership failure. These developments have reignited debate about the relevance and credibility of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking on IKulcha Radio, Dr. Kwadwo Oppong Wadie posed a pointed question to Kwesi E. Baako: What exactly is the role of ECOWAS, and who does it truly work for? The query reflects growing public skepticism about the bloc’s repeated use of sanctions, threats of military intervention, and strong rhetoric against juntas, while seemingly struggling to prevent the coups themselves.
ECOWAS maintains that it is acting in defense of constitutional order and democratic norms, as mandated by its protocols. However, critics argue that its responses often appear reactive, inconsistent, and detached from the lived realities of ordinary West Africans. Sanctions, they say, tend to hurt civilians more than coup leaders, deepening poverty and resentment.
Dr. Wadie’s challenge also touches on a deeper concern: whether ECOWAS is perceived as serving West African citizens or aligning too closely with external interests and entrenched political elites. Kwesi E. Baako noted that unless ECOWAS balances its commitment to democracy with genuine efforts to address governance failures, corruption, and insecurity, its moral authority will continue to erode.
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