Comparing and Contrasting the Challenges and Successes of Ecowas as It Also Relates to the Challenges and Successes of Asean (Association of South-East Asian Nations)

Abstract

This research study examines the challenges facing ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), as to governmental instability and the threat to national security among its member states since the beginning of the twenty-first century. ECOWAS which was formed about fourty-two years ago, and its goal and objective was to represent the interest of some of the world's most dictatorial and tyrannical governments, which were then, and still among today's world's most impoverished nations. However, ECOWAS since its formation have had so many challenges, and have not been able to booster regional and economic cooperation among its member states. Right from the year of its formation, ECOWAS have always found it very difficult to achieving political stability, and also protecting the integrity of its member states. Though it must be noted that issues related to coup d’état within the West Africa region has seriously declined, but some member states of ECOWAS still feel threatened by its various military institutions with coup scare, and in some cases, a coups d’état taking place. There is also the challenges of cross-border terrorism and insurgencies, which end up threatening the foundation, peace, and authority of member states. The inability of some member states of ECOWAS to economically empower their citizens have also been a serious challenge to ECOWAS. The lack of economic power have therefore made impoverished citizens of these affected member states of ECOWAS to indulge or engage in unchecked and unobstructed movements, seeking for opportunities that will economically empower them and their families. Comparisons will also be studied in this research paper, as regarding to the challenges of ECOWAS, and also the challenges of ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations). This research paper will also delve into the success achieved by ECOWAS since its formation, as well as the success recorded so far by ASEAN since its inception as a regional organization. In the midst of these challenges facing ECOWAS, the blames must also be shifted or shared with member states, as some of these member states are very recalcitrant towards accountability, probity, integrity, and good governance. Despite its challenges, and the uncooperative stance from some of its member states, it must be noted that ECOWAS was able to achieve an outstanding success in January 2017, with the ousting of Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, who lost the Gambian presidential election to Adama Barrow, but refused to transfer power. Prominent member states of ECOWAS like Nigeria and Senegal were able to organize its army, and subsequently, Yahya Jammeh was deposed, and forced to hand over power to Adama Barrow, and thereafter, he fled Gambia. This research study is basically about the comparisons between ECOWAS and ASEAN. That despite the long existence of ECOWAS, it is still struggling to survive. Compared to the giant economic successes recorded so far by ASEAN and its member states.

Keywords: Ecowas, Asean, Political, Economic, Challenges, Successes.