ECOWAS@50 celebrations: Numbers matter—let’s reunite the bloc – Agyenim-Boateng on Sahel breakaway

Professor of International Relations Kwame Agyenim-Boateng has described the ECOWAS at 50 celebrations held in Accra yesterday as “a great day” that reflected the unity, achievements, and future aspirations of the regional bloc.

Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (23 April) he reflected on the significance of the milestone.

Agyenim-Boateng said, “I thought it was a great celebration. I didn’t get a chance to watch everything, but I watched most of it. It was in line, more especially when President Mahama had a chance to speak. What he said was almost the whole thing.”

He praised ECOWAS for evolving beyond its original economic mandate to become a stabilising force in the region, particularly during periods of conflict in countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“Whatever happened, it wasn’t actually invaded as a military or fighting force, but the situation called for immediate action. They were successful in quelling the troubles in the region. That was a very strong achievement,” he noted.

Agyenim-Boateng also commended Ghana’s role in peacekeeping efforts and the leadership displayed by President John Mahama in engaging with breakaway member states such as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

“I believe in the President too, and what he has put in place to talk to them and eventually bring them back to the group,” he said. “With everything, numbers are very important.”

He emphasised the importance of diplomacy in maintaining regional cohesion, urging ECOWAS to resist a solely punitive or militaristic approach in handling dissent within the bloc.

“It’s not everything that force has to be used for. There should be backroom negotiations, so it won’t look like sanctions are the only tools,” he said. “ECOWAS is not working in isolation. There are always outside forces, and diplomacy must be the first line of action.”

The professor also acknowledged the shifting geopolitical landscape, noting the influence of countries like Russia and the growing alignment of Nigeria with global powers such as BRICS. He called for realpolitik strategies that ensure West Africa adapts to new global dynamics without losing its regional integrity.

As ECOWAS looks ahead to its next chapter, Agyenim-Boateng’s insights highlight the delicate balance between economic cooperation, political diplomacy, and security—a balance that may define the next 50 years of the bloc’s existence.

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