What Is ECOWAS, The West African Bloc That Could Intervene In Niger’s Coup?

Relevance: GS2 - Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests; Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate, Prelims

(Source: Indian Express, 09/08/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Recently, soldiers in Niger overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum and placed Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani as the new head of state.
• Apart from the international players, such as Russia and the US, the regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been playing an active role.

What is ECOWAS?

• The Economic Community of West African States or ECOWAS was established in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty, with a mandate of promoting economic integration among its members.
• ECOWAS has 15 members: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.
• It includes two sub-regional blocs:
  • The West African Economic and Monetary Union is an organisation of eight, mainly French-speaking states.
  • The West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ), established in 2000, comprises six mainly English-speaking countries.

Objective of ECOWAS

• Its objective is to achieve “collective self-sufficiency” for its member states by creating a single large trade bloc by building a full economic and trading union.
• It serves as a peacekeeping force in the region, with member states occasionally sending joint military forces to intervene in the bloc’s member countries at times of political instability and unrest.
• Its larger aims are to have a single common currency and create a single, large trading bloc in areas of industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, financial issues, and social and cultural matters.

Role played by ECOWAS in the region till now

• Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution: ECOWAS, besides economic cooperation, aimed to address conflicts. Its peacekeeping force ECOMOG, led by Nigeria, intervened in Liberia (1990) and Sierra Leone (1997) during crises.
• Gambia Intervention: In 2017, it intervened in the Gambia after President Yahya Jammeh refused to step down post-election. This paved the way for a peaceful transition to Adama Barrow's presidency.
• The current Niger coup’s leader, Gen. Tchiani, has previously served as battalion commander for ECOWAS peacekeepers in Ivory Coast after a ceasefire between government and rebel forces in 2003.

Regional Response to Niger Coup

• Potential Military Intervention: ECOWAS is considering a military intervention in Niger to address the escalating security challenges caused by terrorist forces. However, this response faces significant obstacles and complexities.
• African Union Peace and Security Council: The African Union Peace and Security Council expressed concern about the "alarming resurgence of coups" and called on the military to restore constitutional authority within 15 days and return soldiers to their barracks.
• Support from Neighboring Countries: Mali and Burkina Faso, both governed by military juntas, have expressed solidarity with Niger and indicated that an attack on Niger would be perceived as an attack on them.

Troop of Western Nations in Niger

India-Niger relations

• India opened its Embassy in Niamey in May 2009, and Niger established its Embassy in New Delhi in November 2011.
• Trade: The main items exported from India to Niger include Rice, Cotton, Pharmaceutical products, Engineering goods, electrical appliances, cotton fabrics, garments, processed cereals/food items, Sugar, Sugar confectionary, Construction material, artificial jewelry etc.
• The main items being exported from Niger to India are Gum Arabic, Resins and other Vegetable saps and extracts, semi-precious stones, Oil seeds (Sesame), misc. grains, goat skins. Etc. The bilateral trade in 2021-22 stood at 101 Million dollars.
• Indian investments in Niger: Airtel Cellular Services, Euroworld International, Jai Mata di Trading, Satguru Travels, Qualis Beverages.
• Indian community: There are around 200 Indian nationals residing in Niamey. They are largely engaged in trading, hospitality and service sectors.

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: With reference to ECOWAS, consider the following statements:

1. It was established in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty.
2. Mali, Benin and Burkina Faso are its member countries.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2