AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF ECOMOG ACTIVITIES AND ECOWAS RESPONSE TO MILITARY INTERVENTIONS IN WEST AFRICA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

The Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group, or ECOMOG for short, is a multinational military force in West Africa that was founded by the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS as ECOWAS member states realized they needed a collective security structure to handle problems that individual countries could not handle on their own, the concept for a regional peacekeeping force began to take shape (AUPSC, 2023). The Liberian civil war, which started in 1989, served as the main catalyst for the creation of ECOMOG. Rapid escalation of the fighting resulted in a great deal of casualties, large population displacement, and destabilization of the area.

An Allied Armed Force of the Community (AAFC) was to be established when needed, according to a Protocol on Mutual Defense Assistance signed in 1981 ECOWAS countries (ECOWAS Commission & CMI). ECOMOG was founded in 1990 by the Anglophone ECOWAS members in order to engage in the Liberian civil war. In the region, the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS, has taken the lead in advancing security, democracy, and peace. In order to interfere in the Liberian civil war, ECOWAS formed the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in 1990. Since then, ECOMOG has been sent to Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and Côte d'Ivoire, among other regional crises.

Recent years have seen a rise in military interventions and political unrest throughout the West African area, with military coups occurring in Mali (2020 and 2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023) (Rédaction Africanew). The democratic advances and regional stability attained throughout the 1990s are now in jeopardy due to these developments. In West Africa, military coups have become more frequent between 2021 and 2023, threatening stability and democratic administration. Among the notable ones are Burkina Faso (January and September 2022), Niger (July 2023), Mali (May 2021) (Reuters, 2023), Guinea (September 2021). These incidents have put ECOWAS to the test in terms of its capacity to maintain democratic standards and respond to coups. ECOWAS has taken a number of actions in reaction to these coups, including:

Diplomatic Engagements: High-level trips to engage in talks with coup organizers and promote the return of civilian governance. 

Sanctions: To put pressure on a return to constitutional order, coup leaders and their allies are subject to travel and economic restrictions. 

Dialogue and mediation: Encouraging communication between parties in dispute in order to promote amicable settlements and the return of democratic governance. 

The function of ECOMOG is being reassessed in light of the rise in military interventions and in light of current political and security developments in West Africa. It is imperative to address the need for an adaptable, well-equipped, and politically sponsored ECOMOG. Responses from ECOWAS have come under fire for being unclear and contradictory.

The years 2021-2023 have brought attention to the ongoing danger that military takeovers pose to democracy in West Africa, highlighting the critical role that ECOWAS and ECOMOG play in preserving regional stability (AUPSC, 2023). The objective of this study is to assess ECOWAS responses to military interventions in West Africa between 2021 and 2023, as well as ECOMOG activities, critically. This study aims to shed light on the political, economic, and security factors that are influencing the region's peace and security as well as the efficacy of ECOWAS's initiatives.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

ECOMOG's activities have been instrumental in maintaining peace and stability in West Africa. ECOWAS' response to military interventions in the region has been guided by its protocol on mutual assistance and defense (Official Journal of the ECOWAS). While challenges remain, ECOWAS' commitment to regional peace and security is evident in its continued support for ECOMOG and other peacekeeping mechanisms (Sampson, 2011). As the region continues to face security challenges, ECOWAS and ECOMOG must continue to adapt and evolve to meet these threats and ensure lasting peace and stability in West Africa. .However, in recent years, political instability and military interventions has returned to West Africa. The military takeovers that occurred in Mali in 2020 and 2021, Burkina Faso in 2022, and Niger in 2023 have prompted questions about how well ECOWAS is handling these situations.

The peace and democratic governance of West Africa are seriously threatened by the potential resumption of military operations (Kasambala, 2023) between 2021 and 2023. During this time, coups have occurred in a number of nations, including Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger. (Rédaction Africanew). These events have upset constitutional order and impeded the consolidation of democracy. The peace and security of the region have been put in jeopardy by these military takeovers, which have caused political unrest, breaches of human rights, and economic disruptions. Despite these challenges, ECOWAS has demonstrated its commitment to regional peace and security through economic and diplomatic reactions. The organization has also established other mechanisms to complement ECOMOG's efforts, such as the ECOWAS Standby Force and the African Union's (AU) African Standby Force.

However, ECOWAS activities have not been without challenges. Inadequate preventive and response to military coups, inconsistent application of sanctions and diplomatic pressure, limited success in restoring democracy and stability in affected countries, undermining of regional security and stability, and threats to the credibility and legitimacy of ECOWAS and ECOMOG are all results of the lack of an unambiguous and uniform structure for responding to military interventions combined with the limited capacity and resources of ECOMOG. In order to pinpoint the difficulties and weaknesses in their strategy, this research attempts to look into the actions of ECOMOG and the ECOWAS's reactions to military operations in West Africa in recent years, the successes of these actions and the long term implications of these in the maintenance of peace in the sub region.

1.3 Objectives of the study

The purpose of this study is to discuss ECOWAS response to recent military deployments in West Africa as well as ECOMOG actions in that region. In order to do this, the research will take into account the following goals:

To assess the effectiveness of ECOMOG's responses and Interventions to military interventions in recent time

To investigate the challenges and limitations faced by ECOMOG in responding to military coups in the region.

To Analyze ECOWAS Diplomatic and Economic Responses to Military Interventions

To Examine the Impact of ECOWAS and ECOMOG Actions on Long-term Stability and Democratic Resilience

Research Questions

How successful have ECOMOG's recent responses and initiatives been in relation to military interventions?

What are the main obstacles and constraints that ECOMOG has to deal with in order to respond to military takeovers that have occurred in the area recently?

What has been the recent state of the ECOWAS's diplomatic and economic responses to military interventions?

How do the actions of ECOWAS and ECOMOG affect electoral resilience and long-term stability?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study highlights the value of regional solidarity and collaboration in tackling shared difficulties by highlighting the combined efforts of West African governments through ECOMOG and ECOWAS. As a result, the paper discusses the recent rise in military takeovers in West Africa and offers up-to-date perspectives on the functions and reactions of ECOWAS and ECOMOG. It closes a significant vacuum in the body of knowledge about current advancements in democratic interventions and regional peacekeeping in academic writing. Additionally, this study will proffer valuable recommendations to policy makers on the concept of regional peace and thr need for regional integration. 

Given the incessant overthrow of democracy by tyranny, this study presents ECOMOG’s challenges in the light of recent waves of actives that has debarred it from effective functionally as well as ECOWAS limitations in the implementation of regional peace and democratic tenets. Amidst the challenges and limitations, this research work will also bring to bear efforts put up by the sub regional body both economically and diplomatically to combat these democratic interruptions and how effective these efforts has been over  the years. Considering these efforts, this study will also delve into the viability and potency of ECOWAS responds in long term perspective as it relate to peace.

1.6 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on a timeframe from January 2021–December 2023. The selected time range aims to encompass the recent spike in military takeovers in West Africa and to examine the current reactions from ECOWAS and ECOMOG. In order to capture trends and changes over time, the study will also include a brief historical context of earlier ECOWAS military coup reactions and ECOMOG deployments. West Africa, more especially the ECOWAS member nations (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo) is the focus of the study. The study also takes into consideration the general consequences of these operations on security and stability in West Africa, as well as any possible negative spillovers to nearby areas.

The study will look at the precise military and peacekeeping actions that ECOMOG carried out within the allotted time frame in response to military coups. This covers the different diplomatic, economic, and political tactics used by ECOWAS to address the military takeovers, as well as deployment plans, operational obstacles, and outcomes of these operations. These include the success of ECOMOG and ECOWAS initiatives so far, and how these measures will affect the political and social climate of the affected nations over the long run.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

It's possible that the study can't be applied to other areas because it was conducted specifically in West Africa. Moreover, the research concentrates on a limited group of nations that underwent military takeovers between 2021 and 2023, including Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Even though these situations offer insightful information, it's possible that they don't accurately capture the variety of political and security factors prevalent in all ECOWAS members. The study might not be able to go in-depth into every facet of each case study due to the topic's broad scope. Instead of a thorough analysis of every action, this led to a broader picture.

Due to the sensitive nature of the subject, it was difficult to gather precise and comprehensive data on military operations and diplomatic attempts; therefore, the study relied on publicly accessible data and may not have had access to sensitive or classified information. The study's scope was constrained by some data that was either confidential or not available to the general public. The study's relatively recent and condensed time focus made it difficult for the researcher to evaluate the ECOWAS and ECOMOG activities' long-term effects. Political environments are dynamic, therefore conclusions reached now may not hold true when new information comes to light. Lastly, the researcher ran into financial difficulties while doing this study.

1.8 Research Methodology

Using a mixed-approaches approach, the study combines historical and qualitative data. This will allow the research to fully understand the topic. To put the findings in the context of what is already known, a thorough analysis of scholarly works, novels, and earlier research on military takeovers, regional interventions, and peacekeeping in West Africa was conducted. In order to follow the developments, remarks made in public, and media coverage of the interventions and their fallout, news stories, press releases, and media reports were also examined.

1.9 Definition of Terms

ECOMOG:  represents the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) founded this regional peacekeeping force.

ECOWAS: stands for Economic Community of West African States, a regional organization with 15 members that was founded on May 28, 1975.

Military interventions: denotes the measures done by an army or coalition of armies to invade the territory of another sovereign state or area, usually with the intention of changing the social, political, or economic conditions there.