Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 23, No. 2, 2025
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/5202.32.0211
AFRICAN UNION–ECOWAS Collaboration and the Crisis of Democratic Governance: Can Regional Institutions Contain the Resurgence of Coups?
Omotola Adeyoju Ilesanmi
Gen. LEO Irabor Early Warning Systems Centre, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract
West Africa has recently experienced a resurgence of military coups, threatening the fragile progress of democracy in countries such as Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These coups, which often emerge amid widespread dissatisfaction with elected governments due to corruption, poor governance, and extensions of presidential terms, have reignited the debate on the ability of regional institutions to uphold democratic governance. The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have established strong legal and normative frameworks that condemn unconstitutional changes of government, including the Lomé Declaration (2000), the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (2007), and the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001). In response, both organisations have actively worked to defend democratic norms and uphold constitutional order. Despite these efforts, recent coups in Mali (2020, 2021), Guinea (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023) reveal gaps between normative commitments and their enforcement. This paper critically explores the effectiveness of AU-ECOWAS collaboration in responding to unconstitutional government changes. Although both institutions strongly commit to democracy, employing both coercive and diplomatic tools such as suspensions, economic sanctions, and diplomatic mediation to ensure a return to constitutional order. These recent coups highlight significant challenges—such as inconsistent enforcement, lengthy mediation processes, and limited influence over military juntas. The study examines the obstacles faced by the African Union and ECOWAS in maintaining democracy across the continent and region. The paper concludes that, while AU and ECOWAS have made notable normative advancements, their capacity to uphold democracy remains constrained by structural and political complexities. It advocates reforms to bolster regional mechanisms, enhance coordination, and balance principled actions with pragmatic diplomacy.
Keywords: African Union (AU), ECOWAS, West Africa, Military coups, Democratic Governance