West African Politics: In-depth reporting on executive leadership, legislative changes, and democratic processes across the 15 ECOWAS nations.
The ECOWAS Representation in Benin has inaugurated two meeting rooms named after Marcel de Souza, a former Chair of the ECOWAS Commission, and Lamine Cisse, founding President of the Union of ECOWAS Nationals. Ambassador Amadou Diongue presided over the September 29 ceremony, which was attended by government representatives and members of both families.
ECOWAS has opened a five-day training programme in Monrovia for statistical leaders from member states and Mauritania, held under the World Bank-funded HISWACA project. Liberia used the opening ceremony to launch its Country Report on socio-economic performance, food security and regional integration.
ECOWAS Commission President H.E. General Birame Diop met IMF and World Bank officials in Washington, D.C., on 28 and 29 September 2026, during the 81st UN General Assembly session. Discussions covered West Africa's economic outlook, regional integration, and collaboration under an existing ECOWAS-IMF memorandum of understanding. The parties agreed to hold a high-level mission to the ECOWAS Commission in the third week of November 2026.
Economist and legal scholar John Mukum Mbaku argues in The Conversation that military coups in Africa worsen intergroup conflict, undermine entrepreneurship, expose vulnerable groups to abuse and destroy efforts to deepen democracy. Drawing on studies of Egypt, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Sudan, he contends that positive change comes through institutional reform and civilian control of the military instead.
A West Africa Youth Democracy Conference in Dakar brought delegates from 12 countries together to discuss why young people remain largely absent from decision-making bodies despite making up about 70 percent of the region's population. In Nigeria, a 2018 constitutional amendment lowered the age limits for elective office, but nomination fees and campaign spending limits have continued to rise.
Young Nigerians won a constitutional amendment in 2018 lowering age limits for elective offices, but high nomination fees and campaign spending limits still block access. A West Africa Youth Democracy Conference in Dakar brought delegates from 12 countries together to discuss the barriers, while ECOWAS negotiations with Sahel states proceed cautiously.
Young Nigerians won a constitutional amendment in 2018 lowering age limits for elective offices, but high nomination fees and rising campaign spending limits continue to block their path to power. A West Africa Youth Democracy Conference in Dakar brought delegates from 12 countries together to discuss the gap between legal rights and financial reality.
ECOWAS Commission Vice-President Oluwatosin Anthony Ogunjimie concluded a two-day working mission to The Gambia on 29 September 2026, his first working visit to the country. The programme included meetings with ECOWAS structures, field visits to Regional Stabilisation and Development Fund projects, a courtesy call on Gambian Vice-President Mohammed BS Jallow and a visit to ECOMIG troops.
Jean Sovon of Global Voices examines how military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have dissolved political parties, suspended civil society organizations and targeted unions while claiming to speak for the people. His analysis, part of a September 2026 Spotlight series on protest and democracy, asks whether those who govern on behalf of the people still accept hearing dissent from the streets or from exile.
The ECOWAS Commission sent a delegation led by Chairperson General Biram Diop to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York from 22 to 27 September 2026. The delegation took part in plenary sessions and held meetings with UN officials, African Union and ECCAS counterparts, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships. Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima received the delegation and urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise unity and regional integration.
