ECOWAS Faulted for Negligence

Bong County Representative Moima Briggs Mensah has sharply criticized the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the regional body of ignoring early conflict triggers in member states while only speaking out after crises escalate into full-blown coups.

Speaking at the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria, Representative Mensah warned that the organization’s reactive posture is undermining stability across the region and weakening public confidence in its leadership.

She argued that ECOWAS has repeatedly overlooked warning signs that later fuel unconstitutional changes of government, making the body appear indifferent until “the damage is already done.”

Citing examples, she pointed to the controversial fourth-term bid in Ivory Coast, which sparked political tension and public unrest but received minimal preventive engagement from ECOWAS.

She also referenced ongoing political issues in Gambia and Togo, which she said are often downplayed or quietly supported by influential member states rather than addressed with transparency and urgency.

Representative Mensah highlighted persistent insecurity in Northern Nigeria as another example of a regional crisis that ECOWAS has failed to treat with the seriousness it deserves despite its ripple effects across borders.

According to her, the tendency of ECOWAS to overlook the root causes of conflict such as constitutional manipulation, electoral injustice, and prolonged instability has contributed to the recent wave of coups in West Africa.

She stressed that preventive diplomacy, early intervention, and stronger monitoring mechanisms are essential if the regional bloc hopes to stem the growing trend of military takeovers.

Representative Mensah warned that failure to act decisively could result in a shrinking ECOWAS, stating that the bloc may be left with “only five members” if it continues on its current path.

Her comments drew attention to long-standing concerns among civil society groups and governance experts who argue that ECOWAS often prioritizes political alliances over principled leadership.

She urged the regional body to adopt a more proactive and people-centered approach, emphasizing that silence or selective engagement only emboldens leaders who undermine democratic norms.

The lawmaker called for robust engagement with member states facing constitutional crises, insisting that ECOWAS must address governance violations before they spiral into instability.

She stressed that regional peace and stability depend on early warning systems that lead to real, corrective action not diplomatic statements issued after coups succeed.

Representative Mensah challenged her colleagues in the ECOWAS Parliament to push for reforms that strengthen accountability within the bloc and prioritize democratic values.

Her remarks come at a time when ECOWAS is under scrutiny for its handling of recent coups in Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger developments that continue to test the organization’s credibility and relevance.