ROLE OF ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS) AND CHALLENGES OF CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN MALI, 2012-2021

Abstract

Since its formation in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been concerned in ensuring political stability in the West African sub region. However, there are challenges which often impede its successful intervention and ability to maintain stability in the West African sub-region, as against the goal for economic integration which it was established on. This study interrogates the role of ECOWAS and its impact on the management of the political crises that engulfed Mali from 2012 - 2021. The study made use of the primary and secondary data which involved semi-structured interview and document analysis. The theory of Neo-Functionalism was utilized as its framework. It was found that ECOWAS played major role to ensure the Malian conflict was resolved as soon as possible. These included: An outright condemnation of the military coup, non-recognition of the government headed by the military junta, consultations with African Union member states on how best to resolve the conflict after joining them to reject the declaration of Mali’s Northern region as the state of Azawad by the rebels, imposition of sanctions, mobilization of supports for the return of democratic governance, cash and material donations as well as the deployment of troops for peacekeeping. However, it argues that ECOWAS intervention in Mali was reactionary and undermine decades of state failure and weak political institutions in Mali, and as such has not been totally successful in quelling the Malian conflicts. The study recommended that for ECOWAS to be seen as responsive, it needs to move from the rhetoric of “swift” sanctions to the actual encouragement and nudging of its ruling elites to respect the rule of law, protect human rights, provide avenues for economic growth in their respective countries, actively nip corruption in the bud, and observe democratic principles, such as the imposition of term limits on serving presidents.