Conflict, Security & Development 4:3 December 2004 Investing in peace and security in Africa: the case of ECOWAS

The rebellions and civil wars that have plagued West Africa in recent years bespeak the need for better links among security, democracy, and governance. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has sponsored interventions in Liberia (1990–97 and again in 2003), Sierra Leone (1993–2000), and Guinea-Bissau (1998–99). Since January 2003, it has been involved in the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. These interven-tions represent encouraging new dynamics in inter-African relations. Yet the crises provoking the interventions reflect the absence of inclusive democracy and good governance in West Africa. ECOWAS, through its increasing involvement in sub-re-gional security, seeks to shift emphasis away from traditional regime-centred security to more people-centred approaches. Its security mechanism sets rules and principles to guide the action and behaviour of its member states. It is hoped that, over time, adherence to these rules will increase its political legitimacy and institutional authority in security matters (Aning, 1998). This paper argues that, by investing in good governance and democratisation—two factors fundamental to West African security—ECOWAS is also contributing to sub-re-gional peace and stability. An inclusive approach is needed to forge effective relation-ships between governance and security in West Africa. ECOWAS has designed a strategic framework that identifies priority areas for conflict management. At issue, though, is its capacity to confront and deal with issues that straddle security, peace, good governance, and democratisation