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West African Politics

West African Politics: In-depth reporting on executive leadership, legislative changes, and democratic processes across the 15 ECOWAS nations.

West African Politics

Borana Gadaa System Offers African Elections Model of Rotational Power, Writer Argues

By Kabir Isa

A Peace News Network article republished by Global Voices examines the Borana Gadaa system, a rotational leadership model practiced in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya, and asks what African electoral systems might learn from it. Writer Diba Kosi Bilinga argues that built-in time limits, long preparation of leaders, cross-cutting political structures, distributed power, and continuous mediation offer lessons for a continent where disputed elections and constitutional amendments have repeatedly extended incumbents' rule.

West African Politics

Senegal’s Moral Battles: How Conservative Groups Reshaped the Political Arena

By Kabir Isa

Senegal's recurring controversies over dance, dress, abortion and family law reflect a long-running argument about moral boundaries that dates back to the colonial-era Code. A scholar writing in The Conversation argues that conservative groups have acquired significant influence in the political arena, and that the country's political class has largely accommodated them. He traces how moralization became a shared electoral language across camps.

West African Politics

ECOWAS Boundary Commissions Meet in The Gambia to Review Border Governance Progress

By Kabir Isa

Heads of national boundary commissions from across West Africa met in The Gambia from 6 to 8 October 2026 to review progress on recommendations from their previous gathering and identify priority follow-up actions. The meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission, brought together commission heads alongside representatives of the African Union and development partners including GIZ.

West African Politics

ECOWAS Mission Checks Free Movement Rules at Togo Borders

By Kabir Isa

ECOWAS officials carried out a five-day fact-finding mission from 21 to 25 September 2026 to check how free movement rules are applied at Togo's borders with Benin and Ghana. The delegation, led by Resident Representative H.E. Ms Deweh Emily Gray, visited the Tohoun and Kémérida crossings on the Togo–Benin route and Natchamba and Noépé-Akanu on the Togo–Ghana route. The data collected will be consolidated into an analysis identifying difficulties, good practices and operational recommendations.

West African Politics

ECOWAS Political Affairs Directorate Holds Second Seminar on Global Africa, China-US Dynamic

By Kabir Isa

The Political Affairs Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission held the second edition of its Brown Bag seminar on 7 October 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, on the theme "The New Has Not Yet Been Born: Global Africa in the Era of Chimerica." Professor Adekeye Adebajo of the University of Pretoria was the guest speaker, and participants included diplomats, multilateral organisation personnel, ECOWAS directorates, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CDD, WADEMOS and the Nigerian National Defence College.

West African Politics

Five New ECOWAS Court Judges Sworn In for Single Four-Year Term

By Kabir Isa

Five judges were sworn in at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice in Abuja on 6 October 2026 for a four-year, non-renewable term. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal presided and urged the new judges to uphold the credibility of the Community justice system, while ECOWAS Commission President Birame Diop paid tribute to the outgoing judges.

West African Politics

Guinea-Bissau’s New Constitution Strengthens Presidential Powers After Referendum

By Kabir Isa

Guinea-Bissau approved a new constitution in an August 30, 2026 referendum that strengthens presidential powers over the prime minister and government. The reform, held under a junta that took power in a November 2025 coup, is presented by transition authorities as a path to stability before a December 6 presidential election, while the opposition warns it concentrates executive power and weakens checks and balances.

West African Politics

ECOWAS Benin Names Rooms After de Souza, Cisse

By Kabir Isa

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.

West African Politics

ECOWAS Commission President Birame Diop Meets IMF, World Bank Officials in Washington

By Kabir Isa

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.