The 69th Economic Community of West African States (Cédéao) summit convened in Freetown, Sierra Leone, at a pivotal moment for the regional bloc. While the gathering proceeds, three key members—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—remain absent, having formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This absence casts a shadow over the proceedings, as leaders grapple with the implications of their withdrawal and the future of regional cooperation.
Redefining the Cédéao’s future without its Sahel members
The withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has raised pressing questions about the bloc’s direction. Despite their departure, these nations remain critical neighbors, making dialogue essential to safeguard trade, free movement, and collective security efforts. Regional leaders must address how to maintain cooperation amid the shared threat of terrorism, which knows no borders.
Security and governance challenges dominate discussions
West African leaders face mounting challenges, from organized crime linked to terrorism to political instability and climate change. These issues demand urgent attention, according to Aliou Diakite, a Cédéao expert. “The bloc must address governance and security concerns, including terrorism, political transitions, and health crises, to shape its future,” he notes.
ECOWAS standby force remains a work in progress
Another critical topic is the long-awaited ECOWAS Standby Force, designed as a rapid-response tool for security threats. Despite years of planning, the force has yet to become fully operational. This week’s preparatory meetings in Freetown signal growing momentum to accelerate its deployment.
Michel Ange Bangoura, Guinea’s coordinator for ECOWAS cooperation, highlights the path forward: “Institutional frameworks are in place; what’s missing is the political will and resources to deploy the force. We need a headquarters location and contributions from member states, at minimum a company per country.”
When pressed on a timeline, he adds: “Discussions this week will likely set a near-term deployment, possibly beginning with a base in a selected country.”
The summit will also focus on institutional reforms to restore the bloc’s credibility, following years of political turbulence and coups in the region.
