- West African leaders, others mark group’s 50th anniversary
The only living founding father of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has led the call for name change of the regional bloc to Economic Community of West African States and Sahel (ECOWASS) to entice the exiting states into coming back into the fold for a stronger regional bloc.
Gen. Gowon expressed sadness over the exit of three member-states of the bloc – Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, following sanctions by ECOWAS leaders after military coups in the affected countries.
He spoke in Lagos at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on the 50th anniversary of signing of the organisation’s treaty in Lagos. The event was organised by NIIA and a German political foundation, Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), Nigeria.
The former head of state prayed that the diplomatic interventions to bring them back will prevail.
General Gowon was one of the 15 head of state and government who signed the treaty for the formation of ECOWAS in May 1975.
Ex-leader on formation of ECOWAS
In his reminiscence at the event, Gowon said the idea of ECOWAS came about after the Nigeria’s Civil War and Nigeria’s diplomatic interactions that followed with other West African leaders on the plausibility of forming a single body to integrate the diverse groups in the sub-region under one umbrella.
According to the surviving ECOWAS founding father, the idea sailed through after the initial pessimism of the possibility of bringing together different countries with different languages and colonial orientations.
Gowon said the ECOWAS was finally born on May 20, 1975 with the primary goal of promoting economic integration and cooperation among member states, and ultimately aiming to raise living standards and foster regional growth.
The elder statesman said the ECOWAS’ survival was in doubt when he was removed on July 29, 1975, in a bloodless coup and was replaced by General Murtala Muhammed. The coup occurred while Gowon was abroad.
He narrated how late President Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Togo, who served as the country’s third president from 1967 until his death in 2005, and others met with the General Muhammed’s military government to ensure the survival of ECOWAS.
He also thanked God that his name was cleared that he didn’t know anything about the death of Gen. Muhammed during the coup staged to oust him.
On challenges in the bloc
He recollected the security situations in Liberia and Sierra Leone that warranted ECOWAS’ intervention, which was led by Nigeria and Ghana.
“In the last few years of course, we’ve been having some problems in ECOWAS. Yes, there is this security problem that we are having. And recently of course, three members of the ECOWAS community decided to opt out of the community because the leaders imposed harsh sanctions on them instead of supporting them, and they were not helping those countries to achieve their goals and they decided to see another way out by having cooperation with the Russia.
“Now, that was sad, because we had thought we had finished with people leaving ECOWAS.
“But unfortunately, these three Sahel countries, Mali, Upper Malta (Burkina Faso), and Niger, they left the community, which is very, very sad. Yes, my relationship with the forefathers of ECOWAS was so good. Honestly, one never thought that anything like that would happen. But it had now happened, and it is sad,” he said
Hopeful ECOWAS will survive
Gowon said he would not lose hope that ECOWAS is no longer anymore.
“Yes, ECOWAS has lost three members, but that is only three out of the 15. And so ECOWAS is still ECOWAS, even though slightly truncated.
“But who said that things cannot change again in the future as it has changed now?
He questioned the modus operandi adopted by ECOWAS to beat the military governments in the three Sahel countries back into democratic line.
The way out of challenges: Name change
“But we hope we will do everything possible to bring them back. And all the actions that have been taken, all the various diplomatic visits that have been done between the community, leadership and the people around them, I hope it will bring them back and it will bring the sort of results that we wanted.
“I believe in myself, in what our government is doing and what the President of Ghana is doing at the moment. I’m sure it will soon probably bring the desired result. And that ECOWAS itself will soon see happy days.
“Now I said, I’m saying that although we are reluctant to let them go as they decided, it is commendable of the ECOWAS Commission still leaving the doors of the table open and also giving the group the opportunity to be joint partners of ECOWAS. It’s about to happen. Yes, ECOWAS hasn’t got to change its name.
“So, that is the sort of thing I have in a great hope. And honestly, one wants to appreciate, I think, especially most of you who are here, who have played a part, a role at one time or the other to try to get the ECOWAS to be the success it has been. And I think easily the most successful regional organisation within Africa.”
He suggested that ECOWAS leaders should consider a name change to Economic Community of West African States and Sahel (ECOWASS) to entice the exiting states into coming back into the fold.
Sanwo-Olu hails Lagos for birthing treaty
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG) is Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, praised the NIIA and KAS and GIC, for organising the conference.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the partnership between Lagos State and NIIA was one grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision to advance Nigeria’s foreign policy and regional integration objectives.
He recalled with nostalgia and pride that it was in Lagos that the historic ECOWAS treaty was birthed and signed 50 years ago.
“That landmark event marked the beginning of a bold, audacious, and strategic journey towards economic integration, peace, and cooperation among ECOWAS member states.
“Over the past five decades, ECOWAS has made significant strides promoting economic integration, facilitating the free movement of people and goods, and playing a vital role in peacekeeping efforts. Despite all the challenges over the years, ECOWAS has remained resilient, relevant, and dignified in its pursuit of economic integration and upward growth of the West African region.
“Yet, we must acknowledge the challenges that persist and the evolving dynamics that require our collective attention.”
Chairman of the conference and Chairman of NIIA Governing Council Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who praised Gen. Gowon, said he knew the exit of the Sahelian government would not scuttle ECOWAS’ unity and growth.
Prof. Akinyemi said with uproar that greeted their exit, Niger still quietly came to plead with Nigeria to assist it when they had fuel crisis.
He said Nigeria as a big brother assisted with truckloads of fuel without making a noise out of it.
He noted that the exiting countries will finally come back into ECOWAS fold later.
NIIA Director General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, while welcoming the guests, praised Gowon for being the surviving father of ECOWAS establishment.
He noted that Gowon’s and others’ vision saw the ECOWAS becoming the example for others on regional integration.
He reasoned that ECOWAS would survive its current challenges and wax stronger.
Resident Representative of KAS in Nigeria Marija Peran, in her welcome remarks, said while people celebrate ECOWAS milestones, “we must also confront the challenges that persist”.
“Economic asymmetry between nations threatens the principles of equitable growth. The elusive dream of a single currency remains hampered by structural hurdles. Political instability and unconstitutional changes of government continue to test the democratic fabric of ECOWAS. And perhaps most pressing, the scourge of insecurity—terrorism, insurgency, and transnational crimes—casts a long shadow over our collective progress.
“In this defining moment, let us invoke the spirit of the founding fathers — not merely in reverence but in renewed purpose. The next fifty years should be defined by deeper economic integration, reinforced political cohesion, and an unwavering commitment to security and prosperity for every West African citizen…
“General Gowon, we honour your vision, your sacrifice, and your relentless advocacy for unity. Your legacy is not just etched in history but lives on in the aspirations of generations who now stand on the foundation you helped build. May ECOWAS continue to rise to its highest potential, and may your indomitable spirit of leadership guide our path forward,” she said.
