ECOWAS was once considered Africa's most institutionally developed regional organization, but that has changed. Following the recent military coups in various countries in the West African sub-region, it became clear that the organization lacks authority, legitimacy, and effective sanction and intervention instruments.

"ECOWAS will only have a future if its member countries remember the spirit of Pan-Africanism, come together, and pull in the same direction," Carlos Pereira, a political analyst and activist from Guinea-Bissau told DW. Cooperation and integration within the region are more important than ever, but currently almost non-existent, he added.

The problems within the regional bloc became evident when the three Sahel countries, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, declared their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024. These withdrawals plunged the regional organization into a deep crisis.

The triggers were military coups in all three states, to which ECOWAS initially responded consistently: Emergency summits decided on regular sanctions against the coup leaders and vehemently demanded the reinstatement of the ousted rulers. However, the sanctions have largely failed to bring about the desired outcomes.

Recently, another potential cause of instability has........

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